UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

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

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): May 11, 2011

 

 

SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES HOLDING N.V.

(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

 

 

 

The Netherlands   001-34652   98-0641254

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

Kolthofsingel 8, 7602 EM Almelo

The Netherlands

(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)

31-546-879-555

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 


Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On May 12, 2011 (the “Closing Date”), Sensata Technologies B.V. (the “Issuer”), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Sensata Technologies Holding N.V. (the “Company”), completed a series of financing transactions to refinance all of its existing indebtedness. The transactions included the private sale of $700.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Issuer’s 6.5% Senior Notes due 2019 (the “Notes”) and the execution of the New Senior Credit Facilities (as defined below) that provide the Issuer with a $1,100.0 million term loan and a $250.0 million revolving credit facility. The net proceeds from the issuance and sale of the Notes and borrowings under the term loan of the New Senior Credit Facilities together with cash on hand were or will be promptly used to (i) repay all of the amounts then outstanding under the Issuer’s existing term loans under the Existing Credit Agreement (as defined below), 8% Senior Notes due 2014 (the “Dollar Notes”) and 9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2016 (the “Euro Notes” and together with the Dollar Notes, the “Existing Notes”), (ii) pay all accrued interest on such indebtedness and related redemption premiums and (iii) pay all fees and expenses in connection with these refinancing transactions.

Indenture

The Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture, dated May 12, 2011 (the “Indenture”), among the Issuer, certain of the Issuer’s subsidiaries party thereto, as guarantors (the “guarantors”), and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (the “Trustee”). The Notes were offered at an original issue price of 100.0%.

Interest and Maturity

The Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.5% and mature on May 15, 2019. Interest is payable on the Notes on May 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing November 15, 2011.

Guarantees

The Issuer’s obligations under the Notes are guaranteed by the all of the Issuer’s existing and future wholly-owned subsidiaries that guarantee the Issuer’s obligations under the New Senior Credit Facilities. The Notes and the guarantees are unsecured senior obligations of the Issuer and the guarantors.

Covenants

The Indenture contains restrictive covenants that limit the ability of the Issuer and the Issuer’s restricted subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture) to, among other things: incur additional debt or issue preferred stock; create liens; create restrictions on the Issuer’s subsidiaries’ ability to make payments to the Issuer; pay dividends and make other distributions in respect of the Issuer’s and its restricted subsidiaries’ capital stock; redeem or repurchase the Issuer’s capital stock or the capital stock of the Company or any other direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer or prepay subordinated indebtedness; make certain investments or certain other restricted payments; guarantee indebtedness; designate unrestricted subsidiaries; sell certain kinds of assets; enter into certain types of transactions with affiliates; and effect mergers or consolidations. These covenants are subject to important exceptions and qualifications set forth in the Indenture.

Certain of these covenants will be suspended if the Notes are assigned an investment grade rating by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and no default has occurred and is continuing. The suspended covenants will be reinstated if the Notes are no longer rated investment grade by either rating agency and an event of default has occurred and is continuing at such time.

Events of Default

The Indenture provides for events of default (subject in certain cases to customary grace and cure periods) which include, among others, nonpayment of principal or interest when due, breach of covenants or other agreements in the Indenture, defaults in payment of certain other indebtedness, certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency and when the guarantees of significant subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture) cease to be in full force and effect. Generally, if an event of default occurs,


the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare the principal and accrued but unpaid interest on all of the Notes to be due and payable immediately. All provisions regarding remedies in an event of default are subject to the Indenture.

Redemption

The Issuer may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time prior to May 15, 2015 at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date, plus the “make-whole” premium set forth in the Indenture. The Issuer may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time on or after May 15, 2015 at the redemption prices set forth in the Indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. In addition, at any time on or prior to May 15, 2014, on one or more occasions, the Issuer may redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes with the net proceeds of certain equity offerings, as described in the Indenture, at a redemption price equal to 106.5% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. If the Issuer experiences certain change of control events, holders of the Notes may require it to repurchase all or part of their Notes at 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the repurchase date.

The Notes are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and, unless so registered, may not be offered or sold in the United States absent an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

A copy of the Indenture is attached as Exhibit 4.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein. The description of the material terms of the Notes and the Indenture is qualified in its entirety by reference to such exhibit.

New Senior Credit Facilities

On the Closing Date, the Issuer, Sensata Technologies Finance Company, LLC and Sensata Technologies Intermediate Holding B.V. entered into a credit agreement (the “New Credit Agreement” or the “New Senior Credit Facilities”) with Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as administrative agent, the initial l/c issuer and initial swing line lender named therein, and the other lenders party thereto. The New Senior Credit Facilities consists of a $1,100.0 million term loan and a $250.0 million revolving credit facility. The term loan was issued at 99.5% of par.

Amounts under the revolving credit facility may be borrowed, repaid and re-borrowed to fund the Borrowers’ (as defined below) working capital needs. No amounts under the term loans, once repaid, may be reborrowed.

Borrowers and Guarantors

The borrowers under the New Senior Credit Facilities are the Issuer and Sensata Technologies Finance Company, LLC (collectively, the “Borrowers”). All obligations under the New Senior Credit Facilities are or will be unconditionally guaranteed by certain of the Borrowers’ material U.S. subsidiaries and certain material subsidiaries located in the Netherlands, Mexico, Japan, South Korea and Malaysia (collectively, the “Credit Agreement Guarantors”).

Maturity and Amortization

The maturity date of the revolving credit facility is May 12, 2016. Loans made pursuant to the revolving credit facility must be repaid in full on or prior to such date, and all letters of credit issued thereunder will terminate unless cash collateralized prior to such time. The maturity date of the term loan facility is May 12, 2018. The principal amount of the term loan amortizes in equal quarterly installments in an aggregate annual amount equal to approximately 1% of the original principal amount, with the balance payable at maturity.

Subject to certain exceptions, the New Senior Credit Facilities are subject to mandatory prepayments equal to (a) 100% of the net cash proceeds from certain non-ordinary course sales or certain other dispositions of assets of the Borrowers and their restricted subsidiaries, subject to customary reinvestment provisions and certain other restrictions, (b) 100% (subject to reductions to 50% and 0% based on achievement of a Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio (as defined below) of 1.5:1.0 and 1.0:1.0, respectively) of the net cash proceeds from issuances of certain indebtedness of the Borrowers and their restricted


subsidiaries (other than indebtedness permitted under the New Senior Credit Facilities), and (c) beginning with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012, 50% (subject to reductions to 25% and 0% based on achievement of a Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio of 1.5:1.0 and 1.0:1.0, respectively) of annual excess cash flow of the Issuer and its restricted subsidiaries.

Interest Rates

At the Issuer’s option, loans under the revolving credit facility and the term loan facility may be maintained from time to time as (x) Base Rate Loans, which bear interest at the Applicable Rate in excess of the Base Rate in effect from time to time, or (y) Eurodollar Rate Loans, which bear interest at the Applicable Rate in excess of the Eurodollar Rate (as defined in the New Credit Agreement) (adjusted for maximum reserves) as determined by reference to LIBOR for the respective interest period. Revolving credit facility borrowings denominated in Euros are maintained from time to time as EURIBOR Loans, which bear interest at the Applicable Rate in excess of EURIBOR (plus mandatory costs) as determined by the administrative agent for the respective interest period. The Eurodollar Rate applicable to term loans is subject to a 1.00% LIBOR floor.

For purposes of the New Senior Credit Facilities:

 

   

“Base Rate” means, the highest of (x) 1/2 of 1% per annum in excess of the federal funds rate, (y) the rate of interest published by the Wall Street Journal from time to time as the “prime rate” and (z) one-month Eurodollar Rate plus 1.00%;

 

   

“EURIBOR” means, in relation to any interest period, (x) the percentage rate per annum determined by the Banking Federation for the European Union for such period displayed on the appropriate page of the Telerate screen, or the “Screen Rate,” or (y) if the Screen Rate is not available, the arithmetic mean of the rates (rounded upwards to four decimal places) as supplied to the administrative agent at its request quoted by the reference banks to leading banks in the European Interbank Market; and

 

   

“Applicable Rate” means, at any time, in respect of the revolving credit facility and the term loan facility, the applicable percentage determined in accordance with a pricing grid based on the ratio of total senior secured indebtedness (less cash and cash equivalents) to Adjusted EBITDA (as defined therein) (the “Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio”).

Incremental Availability

The New Senior Credit Facilities provide for an incremental term loan facility and/or incremental revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $250.0 million, plus an additional $750.0 million in the event certain conditions are satisfied, including a pro forma Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio not in excess of 4.0:1.0. The incremental facilities may rank pari passu or junior in right of payment and security with the other borrowings under the New Senior Credit Facilities and mature no sooner than the final maturity of the term loan facility and the revolving credit facility, respectively. The incremental borrowing facilities may be incurred at any time with consent required only from those lenders that agree, at their sole discretion, to participate in such incremental facility and subject to certain conditions.

Security

The Borrowers and each of the Credit Agreement Guarantors under the New Senior Credit Facilities have granted or will grant, as the case may be, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as collateral agent on behalf of the lenders a valid and perfected first priority (subject to certain exceptions) lien and security interest in all of the following:

 

   

all shares of capital stock of (or other ownership interests in) and intercompany debt of the Borrowers and each present and future subsidiary of the Borrowers or such Credit Agreement Guarantor; and

 

   

substantially all present and future property and assets, real and personal, of the Borrowers or such Credit Agreement Guarantor, except to the extent (a) the cost of obtaining security interests in any such item of collateral is excessive in relation to the benefit to the lenders or (b) a security interest is prohibited by the


 

terms of the collateral from being granted or would give a third party the right to take action that would substantially impair the value of the collateral.

Affirmative Covenants

The affirmative covenants under the New Credit Agreement require: (i) compliance with laws and regulations; (ii) payment of taxes and other material obligations; (iii) maintenance of appropriate and adequate insurance; (iv) preservation of corporate existence, rights (charter and statutory), franchises, permits, licenses and approvals; (v) compliance with environmental laws; (vi) visitation and inspection rights; (vii) keeping of proper books in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; (viii) maintenance of properties; (ix) certain required uses of proceeds of borrowings; (x) designation of restricted and unrestricted subsidiaries; (xi) maintenance of ratings; (xii) actions undertaken in connection with junior financing documents; (xiii) certain tax matters; (xiv) further assurances as to perfection and priority of security interests; and (xv) customary financial and other reporting requirements (including, without limitation, audited annual financial statements and quarterly unaudited financial statements, in each case prepared on a consolidated basis, notices of defaults, compliance certificates, annual business plans and forecasts, reports to shareholders and other creditors and other business and financial information as the administrative agent shall reasonably request).

Negative Covenants

The negative covenants under the New Credit Agreement include restrictions with respect to: (i) liens; (ii) debt (including guaranties or other contingent obligations); (iii) mergers and consolidations, liquidations and dissolutions; (iv) sales, transfers and other dispositions of assets; (v) loans, acquisitions, joint ventures and other investments; (vi) dividends and other distributions to stockholders; (vii) designation of senior debt; (viii) becoming a general partner in any partnership; (ix) repurchasing shares of capital stock; (x) prepaying, redeeming or repurchasing subordinated debt; (xi) capital expenditures; (xii) granting negative pledges other than to the administrative agent and the lenders; (xiii) changing the principal nature of the Borrowers’ business; (xiv) conducting transactions with affiliates on terms equivalent to those obtainable on an arm’s length basis; (xv) amending organizational documents or amending or otherwise modifying the terms of any subordinated debt; (xvi) passive holding company covenant; and (xvii) changing accounting policies or reporting practices.

Financial Covenants

Under the revolving credit facility, the Borrowers are required to maintain a Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio not to exceed 5.0:1.0 during periods when outstanding loans and letters of credit that are not cash collateralized for the full face amount thereof exceed 10% of the commitments under the revolving credit facility. In addition, the Borrowers are required to satisfy this covenant, on a pro forma basis, in connection with any new borrowings under the revolving credit facility as of the time of such borrowings.

Events of Default

The New Credit Agreement contains customary events of default, including: (a) failure to pay principal when due, or to pay interest or fees within five business days after the same becomes due or other amounts within ten business days after the same becomes due, subject to applicable grace periods; (b) any representation or warranty proving to have been materially incorrect or misleading when made or confirmed; (c) failure to perform or observe covenants set forth in the loan documentation within a specified period of time, where customary and appropriate, after notice of such failure; (d) cross-defaults to other indebtedness in an amount not less than a specified threshold; (e) bankruptcy and insolvency defaults (with grace period for involuntary proceedings); (f) monetary judgment defaults in an amount in excess of a specified threshold not covered by insurance; (g) impairment of loan documentation or security; (h) change of control; (i) inability to pay debts as they become due; and (j) standard ERISA defaults. A breach of the financial covenant will not result in an event of default under the term loan facility until 30 days after the required revolving lenders accelerate the revolving loan facility. The New Senior Credit Facilities provides that the Sponsors (as defined therein) shall have the ability to cure financial covenant defaults through equity infusions.

A copy of the New Credit Agreement and the related Domestic Guaranty, Borrower Guaranty, Foreign Guaranty, Patent Security Agreement, Trademark Security Agreement, Domestic Pledge Agreement and Domestic Security Agreement are filed as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5, 10.6, 10.7 and 10.8, respectively, to this


Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated by reference herein. The descriptions of the material terms of such agreements are qualified in their entirety by reference to such exhibit.

 

Item 1.02. Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement

On the Closing Date, the Issuer (i) instructed The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (the “Dollar Notes Trustee”) of its Dollar Notes, to deliver a notice of redemption to the holders of the outstanding Dollar Notes and (ii) caused approximately $193.7 million of the net proceeds from the issuance and sale of the Notes and borrowings under the term loan of the New Senior Credit Facilities together with cash on hand to be irrevocably deposited with the Dollar Notes Trustee to satisfy and discharge the indenture governing the Dollar Notes, dated April 27, 2006, among the Issuer, the guarantors from time to time party thereto and the Dollar Notes Trustee (the “Dollar Notes Indenture”). The deposited funds are to be held in trust until June 13, 2011 (the “Redemption Date”), at which time such money will be used to fund the redemption of the outstanding Dollar Notes (including the payment of accrued and unpaid interest on the outstanding Dollar Notes to but not including the Redemption Date) at a redemption price of 102% of the aggregate principal amount thereof. A summary of the terms of the Dollar Notes Indenture is included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 and is incorporated by reference herein.

Also on the Closing Date, in connection with its entry into the New Credit Agreement (as described in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K), the Issuer terminated its existing credit agreement, dated April 27, 2006, among the Issuer, Sensata Technologies Finance Company, LLC, Sensata Technologies Intermediate Holding B.V., the lenders from time to time party thereto, the initial l/c issuer, the initial swing line lender and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as administrative agent (the “Existing Credit Agreement”). The outstanding dollar-denominated term loan and the outstanding euro-denominated term loan under the Existing Credit Agreement were repaid with approximately $904.9 million and €379.5 million, respectively, of the net proceeds from the issuance and sale of the Notes and borrowings under the term loan of the New Senior Credit Facilities together with cash on hand. A summary of the terms of the Existing Credit Agreement is included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 and is incorporated by reference herein.

On May 13, 2011, the Issuer (i) instructed The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (the “Euro Notes Trustee”) of its Euro Notes, to deliver a notice of redemption to the holders of the outstanding Euro Notes and (ii) caused approximately €147.3 million of the net proceeds from the issuance and sale of the Notes and borrowings under the term loan of the New Senior Credit Facilities together with cash on hand to be irrevocably deposited with the Euro Notes Trustee to satisfy and discharge the indenture governing the Euro Notes, dated April 27, 2006, among the Issuer, the guarantors from time to time party thereto and the Euro Notes Trustee (the “Euro Notes Indenture”). The deposited funds are to be held in trust until the Redemption Date, at which time such money will be used to fund the redemption of the outstanding Euro Notes (including the payment of accrued and unpaid interest on the outstanding Euro Notes to but not including the Redemption Date) at a redemption price of 104.5% of the aggregate principal amount thereof. A summary of the terms of the Euro Notes Indenture is included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 and is incorporated by reference herein.

 

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

The information set forth under the captions “Indenture” and “New Senior Credit Facilities” in Item 1.01 above is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.

 

Item 8.01 Other Events.

On May 11, 2011, the Company issued a press release announcing the waiver of certain conditions to the previously announced tender offers and consents solicitations (the “Tender Offers”) for the Issuer’s Existing Notes. A copy of this press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

On May 12, 2011, the Company issued a press release announcing the completion of the financing transactions described above and the early settlement of the Tender Offers. A copy of this press release is attached as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.


Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

  4.1    Indenture, dated as of May 12, 2011, among Sensata Technologies B.V., the guarantors party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee.
  4.2    Form of 6.5% Senior Note due 2019 (included as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1).
10.1    Credit Agreement, dated as of May 12, 2011, by and among Sensata Technologies B.V., Sensata Technologies Finance Company, LLC, Sensata Technologies Intermediate Holding B.V., Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as administrative agent, the initial l/c issuer and initial swing line lender named therein, and the other lenders party thereto.
10.2    Domestic Guaranty, dated as of May 12, 2011, made by each of Sensata Technologies Finance Company, LLC, Sensata Technologies, Inc., Sensata Technologies Massachusetts, Inc. and each of the Additional Guarantors from time to time made a party thereto in favor of the Secured Parties (as defined therein).
10.3    Guaranty, dated as of May 12, 2011, made by Sensata Technologies B.V. in favor of the Secured Parties (as defined therein).
10.4    Foreign Guaranty, dated as of May 12, 2011, made by each of Sensata Technologies Holding Company US B.V., Sensata Technologies Holland, B.V., Sensata Technologies Holding Company Mexico, B.V., Sensata Technologies de México, S. de R.L. de C.V., Sensata Technologies Japan Limited, Sensata Technologies Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. and each of the Additional Guarantors from time to time made a party thereto in favor of the Secured Parties (as defined therein).
10.5    Patent Security Agreement, dated as of May 12, 2011, made by each of Sensata Technologies Finance Company, LLC, Sensata Technologies, Inc. and Sensata Technologies Massachusetts, Inc. to Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as collateral agent.
10.6    Trademark Security Agreement, dated as of May 12, 2011, made by each of Sensata Technologies Finance Company, LLC, Sensata Technologies, Inc. and Sensata Technologies Massachusetts, Inc. to Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as collateral agent.
10.7    Domestic Pledge Agreement, dated as of May 12, 2011, made by each of Sensata Technologies B.V. and Sensata Technologies Holding Company US B.V. to Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as collateral agent.
10.8    Domestic Security Agreement, dated as of May 12, 2011, made by each of Sensata Technologies Finance Company, LLC, Sensata Technologies, Inc. and Sensata Technologies Massachusetts, Inc. to Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as collateral agent.
99.1    Press Release, dated May 11, 2011.
99.2    Press Release, dated May 12, 2011.


SIGNATURES

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

 

    SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES HOLDING N.V.
      /s/ Jeffrey Cote
Date: May 17, 2011     By:   Jeffrey Cote
      Title:   Chief Administrative and Financial Officer


Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

  4.1    Indenture, dated as of May 12, 2011, among Sensata Technologies B.V., the guarantors party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee.
  4.2    Form of 6.5% Senior Note due 2019 (included as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1).
10.1    Credit Agreement, dated as of May 12, 2011, by and among Sensata Technologies B.V., Sensata Technologies Finance Company, LLC, Sensata Technologies Intermediate Holding B.V., Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as administrative agent, the initial l/c issuer and initial swing line lender named therein, and the other lenders party thereto.
10.2    Domestic Guaranty, dated as of May 12, 2011, made by each of Sensata Technologies Finance Company, LLC, Sensata Technologies, Inc., Sensata Technologies Massachusetts, Inc. and each of the Additional Guarantors from time to time made a party thereto in favor of the Secured Parties (as defined therein).
10.3    Guaranty, dated as of May 12, 2011, made by Sensata Technologies B.V. in favor of the Secured Parties (as defined therein).
10.4    Foreign Guaranty, dated as of May 12, 2011, made by each of Sensata Technologies Holding Company US B.V., Sensata Technologies Holland, B.V., Sensata Technologies Holding Company Mexico, B.V., Sensata Technologies de México, S. de R.L. de C.V., Sensata Technologies Japan Limited, Sensata Technologies Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. and each of the Additional Guarantors from time to time made a party thereto in favor of the Secured Parties (as defined therein).
10.5    Patent Security Agreement, dated as of May 12, 2011, made by each of Sensata Technologies Finance Company, LLC, Sensata Technologies, Inc. and Sensata Technologies Massachusetts, Inc. to Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as collateral agent.
10.6    Trademark Security Agreement, dated as of May 12, 2011, made by each of Sensata Technologies Finance Company, LLC, Sensata Technologies, Inc. and Sensata Technologies Massachusetts, Inc. to Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as collateral agent.
10.7    Domestic Pledge Agreement, dated as of May 12, 2011, made by each of Sensata Technologies B.V. and Sensata Technologies Holding Company US B.V. to Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as collateral agent.
10.8    Domestic Security Agreement, dated as of May 12, 2011, made by each of Sensata Technologies Finance Company, LLC, Sensata Technologies, Inc. and Sensata Technologies Massachusetts, Inc. to Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as collateral agent.
99.1    Press Release, dated May 11, 2011.
99.2    Press Release, dated May 12, 2011.

Exhibit 4.1

EXECUTION COPY

 

 

 

SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES B.V.

AND

THE GUARANTORS NAMED HEREIN

$700,000,000

6.5% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2019

 

 

INDENTURE

Dated as of May 12, 2011

 

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

Trustee

 

 

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  
   ARTICLE 1   
   DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE   

Section 1.01

   Definitions      1   

Section 1.02

   Other Definitions      38   

Section 1.03

   Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act      39   

Section 1.04

   Rules of Construction      40   
   ARTICLE 2   
   THE NOTES   

Section 2.01

   Form and Dating      40   

Section 2.02

   Execution and Authentication      42   

Section 2.03

   Agents      42   

Section 2.04

   Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust      43   

Section 2.05

   Holder Lists      43   

Section 2.06

   Transfer and Exchange      43   

Section 2.07

   Replacement Notes      56   

Section 2.08

   Outstanding Notes      56   

Section 2.09

   Treasury Notes      57   

Section 2.10

   Temporary Notes      57   

Section 2.11

   Cancellation      57   

Section 2.12

   Defaulted Interest      58   

Section 2.13

   CUSIP Numbers and ISIN Numbers      58   
   ARTICLE 3   
   REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT   

Section 3.01

   Notices to Trustee      58   

Section 3.02

   Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed      59   

Section 3.03

   Notice of Redemption      59   

Section 3.04

   Effect of Notice of Redemption      60   

Section 3.05

   Deposit of Redemption Price      60   

Section 3.06

   Notes Redeemed in Part      61   

Section 3.07

   Optional Redemption      61   

Section 3.08

   Mandatory Redemption      64   
   ARTICLE 4   
   COVENANTS   

Section 4.01

   Payment of Notes      64   

Section 4.02

   Maintenance of Office or Agency      67   

 

-i-


          Page  

Section 4.03

   Reports      67   

Section 4.04

   Compliance Certificate      70   

Section 4.05

   Corporate Existence      70   

Section 4.06

   Limitation on Layering      70   

Section 4.07

   Restricted Payments      71   

Section 4.08

   Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries      78   

Section 4.09

   Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock      80   

Section 4.10

   Asset Sales      85   

Section 4.11

   Transactions with Affiliates      88   

Section 4.12

   Liens      90   

Section 4.13

   Business Activities      91   

Section 4.14

   Payment of Taxes and Other Claims      91   

Section 4.15

   Offer to Repurchase upon Change of Control      91   

Section 4.16

   Payments for Consent      93   

Section 4.17

   Additional Guarantees      93   

Section 4.18

   Maintenance of Properties and Insurance      94   

Section 4.19

   Changes in Covenants upon Notes Being Rated Investment Grade      94   

Section 4.20

   Compliance with Laws      95   

Section 4.21

   Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws      95   
   ARTICLE 5   
   SUCCESSORS   

Section 5.01

   Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets      96   
   ARTICLE 6   
   DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES   

Section 6.01

   Events of Default      97   

Section 6.02

   Acceleration      99   

Section 6.03

   Other Remedies      100   

Section 6.04

   Waiver of Past Defaults      101   

Section 6.05

   Control by Majority      101   

Section 6.06

   Limitation on Suits      101   

Section 6.07

   Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment      102   

Section 6.08

   Collection Suit by Trustee      102   

Section 6.09

   Trustee May File Proofs of Claim      103   

Section 6.10

   Priorities      103   

Section 6.11

   Undertaking for Costs      103   
   ARTICLE 7   
   TRUSTEE   

Section 7.01

   Duties of Trustee      104   

Section 7.02

   Rights of Trustee      105   

Section 7.03

   Individual Rights of Trustee      106   

Section 7.04

   Trustee’s Disclaimer      107   

 

-ii-


          Page  

Section 7.05

   Notice of Defaults      107   

Section 7.06

   [Intentionally Omitted]      107   

Section 7.07

   Compensation and Indemnity      107   

Section 7.08

   Replacement of Trustee      108   

Section 7.09

   Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc.      109   

Section 7.10

   Eligibility; Disqualification      110   

Section 7.11

   Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company      110   
   ARTICLE 8   
   LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE   

Section 8.01

   Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance      110   

Section 8.02

   Legal Defeasance and Discharge      110   

Section 8.03

   Covenant Defeasance      111   

Section 8.04

   Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance      112   

Section 8.05

   Deposited Money and U.S. Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions      113   

Section 8.06

   Repayment to Company      114   

Section 8.07

   Reinstatement      114   
   ARTICLE 9   
   AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER   

Section 9.01

   Without Consent of Holders of Notes      114   

Section 9.02

   With Consent of Holders of Notes      115   

Section 9.03

   [Intentionally Omitted]      117   

Section 9.04

   Revocation and Effect of Consents      117   

Section 9.05

   Notation on or Exchange of Notes      118   

Section 9.06

   Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc.      118   
   ARTICLE 10   
   GUARANTEES   

Section 10.01

   Guarantee      118   

Section 10.02

   Limitation on Guarantor Liability      119   

Section 10.03

   Execution and Delivery of Guarantee      120   

Section 10.04

   Guarantors May Consolidate, Etc., on Certain Terms      120   

Section 10.05

   Releases      120   
   ARTICLE 11   
   SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE   

Section 11.01

   Satisfaction and Discharge      121   

Section 11.02

   Application of Trust Money      122   

 

-iii-


          Page  
   ARTICLE 12   
   MISCELLANEOUS   

Section 12.01

   [Intentionally Omitted]      123   

Section 12.02

   Notices      123   

Section 12.03

   Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes      124   

Section 12.04

   Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent      125   

Section 12.05

   Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion      125   

Section 12.06

   Rules by Trustee and Agents      125   

Section 12.07

   No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders      126   

Section 12.08

   Governing Law      126   

Section 12.09

   Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial      126   

Section 12.10

   Waiver of Immunities      126   

Section 12.11

   Currency Rate Indemnity      127   

Section 12.12

   Successors      127   

Section 12.13

   Severability      127   

Section 12.14

   Counterpart Originals      127   

Section 12.15

   Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.      127   

 

-iv-


EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A

   FORM OF GLOBAL NOTE

Exhibit B

   FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

Exhibit C

   FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

Exhibit D

   FORM OF NOTATION OF GUARANTEE

Exhibit E

   FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

 

-v-


INDENTURE dated as of May 12, 2011 among Sensata Technologies B.V., a private company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands (the “ Company ”), the Guarantors (as defined herein) and The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York banking corporation, as Trustee.

The Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) of (a) the $700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 6.5% Senior Notes due 2019 (the “ Initial Notes ”) and (b) any Additional Notes (as defined herein) that may be issued after the date hereof (all such securities in clauses (a) and (b) being referred to collectively as the “ Notes ”):

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01 Definitions .

144A Global Note ” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.

Acquired Debt ” means, with respect to any specified Person:

(1) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged with or into or became a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person, including Indebtedness incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, or to provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support utilized in connection with, such other Person merging with or into, or becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of, such specified Person; and

(2) Indebtedness secured by an existing Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.

Additional Notes ” means additional Notes (other than the Initial Notes) issued under this Indenture in accordance with Sections 2.02 and 4.09 hereof, as part of the same series as the Initial Notes.

Advisory Agreement ” means the Advisory Agreement, dated April 27, 2006, by and among the Sponsors, the Company and Affiliates of each of the Sponsors, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Advisory Agent, dated December 19, 2006, in the form and with those terms as terminated on March 16, 2010.

Affiliate ” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified


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

Agent ” means any Registrar, co-registrar, Paying Agent, transfer agent, additional paying agent or other agent appointed hereunder.

Applicable Premium ” means with respect to any Note on any redemption date, the greater of (1) 1.0% of the then outstanding principal amount of such Note and (2) the excess of (x) the present value at such redemption date of the sum of the redemption price of such Note at (such redemption price being set forth in the table appearing above under Section 3.07) plus all required interest payments due on such Note, through May 15, 2015 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points over (y) the then outstanding principal amount of such Note, as calculated by the Company and notified to the Trustee in writing.

Applicable Procedures ” means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the relevant Depositary that apply to such transfer or exchange.

Asset Sale ” means: (1) the sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition (whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions) of property or assets (including by way of a sale and leaseback) of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (each referred to in this definition as a “disposition” ); or (2) the issuance or sale of Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary (whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions), in each case, other than:

(1) a disposition of Cash Equivalents or obsolete, damaged or worn out property or equipment in the ordinary course of business or inventory (or other assets) held for sale in the ordinary course of business and dispositions of property no longer used or useful in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries or the disposition of inventory in the ordinary course of business;

(2) the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in a manner permitted pursuant to Section 5.01 or any disposition that constitutes a Change of Control;

(3) the making of any Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment that is permitted to be made, and is made, pursuant to Section 4.07 or the granting of a Lien permitted by Section 4.12;

(4) any disposition of assets or issuance or sale of Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than directors’ qualifying shares or shares required by applicable law to be held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) in any transaction or series of transactions with an aggregate fair market value of less than $10.0 million;

 

2


(5) any disposition of property or assets or issuance of securities by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to another Restricted Subsidiary;

(6) the lease, assignment, sublease, license or sublicense of any real, personal or intellectual property or other general intangible property in the ordinary course of business;

(7) any sale of Equity Interests in, or Indebtedness or other securities of, an Unrestricted Subsidiary (with the exception of Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries made pursuant to clause (10) of the definition of “Permitted Investments”);

(8) foreclosures on assets or transfers by reason of eminent domain or similar governmental actions;

(9) disposition of an account receivable in connection with the collection or compromise thereof;

(10) sales of Securitization Assets and related assets of the type specified in the definition of “Securitization Financing” to a Securitization Subsidiary in connection with any Qualified Securitization Financing;

(11) a transfer of Securitization Assets and related assets of the type specified in the definition of “Securitization Financing” (or a fractional undivided interest therein) by a Securitization Subsidiary in a Qualified Securitization Financing;

(12) any surrender or waiver of contract rights or settlement, release, recovery on or surrender of contract, tort or other claims in the ordinary course;

(13) the sale, transfer or other disposition of Hedging Obligations; and

(14) the issuance by a Restricted Subsidiary of Preferred Stock that is permitted by Section 4.09.

Bankruptcy Law ” means (i) Title 11, United States Code or any similar U.S. federal or state law for the relief of debtors or the administration or liquidation of debtors’ estates for the benefit of their creditors, (ii) the Dutch Bankruptcy Law or any similar Dutch federal or state law for the relief of debtors or the administration or liquidation of debtors’ estates for the benefit of their creditors and (iii) any other similar federal or local law for the relief of debtors or the administration or liquidation of debtors’ estates for the benefit of their creditors in any other applicable jurisdiction, now or hereinafter in effect.

Beneficial Owner ” or “ beneficial owner ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such “person” will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition. The

 

3


terms “Beneficially Owns,” “Beneficially Owned” and “Beneficial Ownership” have a corresponding meaning.

Board of Directors ” means:

 

  (1) with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation;

 

  (2) with respect to a partnership having only one general partner, the board of directors of the general partner of the partnership; and

 

  (3) with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person serving a similar function.

Business Day ” means each day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close.

Capital Stock ” means:

(1) in the case of a corporation, capital stock;

(2) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock;

(3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and

(4) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.

Capitalized Lease Obligation ” means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at such time be required to be capitalized and reflected as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) prepared in accordance with GAAP (except for temporary treatment of construction-related expenditures under EITF 97-10, “The Effect of Lessee Involvement in Asset Construction,” which will ultimately be treated as operating leases upon a sale-leaseback transaction).

Cash Contribution Amount ” means the aggregate amount of cash contributions made to the capital of the Company or any Guarantor described in the definition of “Contribution Indebtedness.”

Cash Equivalents ” means any of the following:

(1) readily marketable obligations issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States, any state, commonwealth or territory of the

 

4


United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof, having (i) one of the three highest ratings from either Moody’s or S&P and (ii) maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition thereof; provided, that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support thereof;

(2) time deposits with, or insured certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances of, any commercial bank that (i) is a lender under the Credit Agreement or (ii)(A) is organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia or is the principal banking subsidiary of a bank holding company organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and is a member of the Federal Reserve System and (B) has combined capital and surplus of at least $250.0 million (any such bank in the foregoing clauses (i) or (ii) being an “Approved Domestic Bank”), in each case with maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition thereof;

(3) commercial paper and variable or fixed rate notes issued by an Approved Domestic Bank (or by the parent company thereof) or any variable rate note issued by, or guaranteed by a domestic corporation rated “A-2” (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or “P-2” (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s, in each case with maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition thereof;

(4) repurchase agreements entered into by any Person with a bank or trust company or recognized securities dealer (including any lender under the Credit Agreement), in each case, having capital and surplus in excess of $250.0 million for direct obligations issued by or fully guaranteed or insured by the government or any agency or instrumentality of the United States;

(5) Investments, classified in accordance with GAAP as current assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in money market investment programs registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, which are administered by financial institutions having capital of at least $250.0 million and the portfolios of which are limited such that 95% of such investments are of the character, quality and maturity described in clauses (1), (2), (3), or (4) of this definition;

(6) solely with respect to the Company and any Foreign Subsidiary, non-U.S. dollar denominated (i) certificates of deposit of, bankers acceptances of, or time deposits with, any commercial bank which is organized and existing under the laws of the country in which such Person maintains its chief executive office and principal place of business, provided such country is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and whose short-term commercial paper rating from S&P is at least “A-2” or the equivalent thereof or from Moody’s is at least “P-2” or the equivalent

 

5


thereof (any such bank being an “Approved Foreign Bank”) and maturing within one year of the date of acquisition and (ii) equivalents of demand deposit accounts which are maintained with an Approved Foreign Bank; and

(7) readily marketable obligations issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the government or any agency or instrumentality of the Netherlands or any member nation of the European Union whose legal tender is the euro and which are denominated in euro or any other foreign currency comparable in credit quality and tenor to those referred to above and customarily used by corporations for cash management purposes in any jurisdiction outside the United States to the extent reasonably required in connection with any business conducted by any Restricted Subsidiary organized in such jurisdiction, having (i) one of the three highest ratings from either Moody’s or S&P and (ii) maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition thereof; provided, that the full faith and credit of the Netherlands or any such member nation of the European Union is pledged in support thereof.

Change of Control ” means the occurrence of any of the following:

(1) the sale, lease, transfer or other conveyance, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person other than to a Permitted Holder; or

(2) the Company becomes aware of (by way of a report or any other filing pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, proxy, vote, written notice or otherwise) the acquisition by any Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), including any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act), other than the Permitted Holders, in a single transaction or in a related series of transactions, by way of merger, consolidation or other business combination or purchase of Beneficial Ownership, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company or any entity of which is a Subsidiary.

Clearstream ” means Clearstream Banking, S.A. and any successor thereto.

Code ” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated and rulings issued thereunder. Section references to the Code are to the Code, as in effect on the Issue Date, and any subsequent provisions of the Code, amendatory thereof, supplemental thereto or substituted therefor.

Commission ” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

6


Company ” means Sensata Technologies B.V., a private company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands.

Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the total amount of depreciation and amortization expense, including the amortization of deferred financing fees, and other noncash charges (excluding any noncash item that represents an accrual or reserve for a cash expenditure for a future period) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Interest Expense ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of: (a) consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period (including amortization of original issue discount, noncash interest payments (other than imputed interest as a result of purchase accounting), commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptance financing, the interest component of Capitalized Lease Obligations, net payments (if any) pursuant to interest rate Hedging Obligations (any net receipts pursuant to such interest rate Hedging Obligations shall be included as a reduction to Consolidated Interest Expense), but excluding amortization of deferred financing fees or expensing of any bridge or other financing fees, and any loss on the early extinguishment of Indebtedness, in each case, relating to the Specified Financings) and (b) consolidated capitalized interest of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued and less (c) interest income actually received or receivable in cash for such period; provided, however , that Securitization Fees shall be deemed not to constitute Consolidated Interest Expense.

Consolidated Leverage Ratio ” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Total Consolidated Indebtedness as of the date of determination less cash and Cash Equivalents of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the date of determination to (b) the aggregate amount of EBITDA of the Company for the period of the four most recent consecutive fiscal quarters prior to the date of such determination for which financial statements are available. The Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall be calculated in a manner consistent with the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio,” including any pro forma calculations to EBITDA.

Consolidated Net Income ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP; provided, however , that

(1) any net after-tax extraordinary, unusual or nonrecurring gains or losses (including, without limitation, severance, relocation, signing bonus, transition and other restructuring costs and litigation settlements or losses) shall be excluded;

(2) the Net Income for such period shall not include the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle(s) during such period;

 

7


(3) any net after-tax gains or losses attributable to asset dispositions other than in the ordinary course of business (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company) and any gain (or loss) realized upon the sale or other disposition of any Capital Stock of any Person shall be excluded;

(4) the Net Income for such period of any Person that is not a Subsidiary of such Person, or that is an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting, shall be excluded; provided, that , to the extent not already included, Consolidated Net Income of such Person shall be (A) increased by the amount of dividends or other distributions that are actually paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to the referent Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period (subject in the case of dividends paid or distributions made to a Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Guarantor) to the limitations contained in clause (5) below) and (B) decreased by the amount of any equity of the Company in a net loss of any such Person for such period to the extent the Company has funded such net loss;

(5) solely for the purpose of determining the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 4.07(a)(iii), the Net Income for such period of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Guarantor) shall be excluded if the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of its Net Income is not permitted at the date of determination without any prior governmental approval (which has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by the operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule, or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders, unless such restriction with respect to the payment of dividends or similar distributions has been legally waived; provided, that the Consolidated Net Income of such Person shall be, subject to the exclusion contained in clause (3) above, increased by the amount of dividends or similar distributions that are actually paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof (subject to the provisions of this clause (5)) in respect of such period, to the extent not already included therein;

(6) non-cash compensation charges, including any such charges arising from stock options, restricted stock grants or other equity-incentive programs shall be excluded;

(7) any net after-tax gains or losses (less all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto) attributable to the early extinguishment or conversion of Indebtedness or Hedging Obligations shall be excluded;

 

8


(8) unrealized gains and losses from Hedging Obligations or “embedded derivatives” that require the same accounting treatment as Hedging Obligations shall be excluded;

(9) the effect of any non-cash items resulting from any amortization, write-up, write-down, write-off or impairment of assets (including intangible assets, goodwill and deferred financing costs but excluding inventory) in connection with any future acquisition, merger, consolidation or similar transaction or any other non-cash impairment charges incurred subsequent to the Issue Date resulting from the application of SFAS Nos. 142 and 144 (excluding any such non-cash item to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenditures in any future period except to the extent such item is subsequently reversed) shall be excluded;

(10) any purchase accounting adjustments (including the impact of writing up inventory or deferred revenue at fair value), amortization, impairments, write-offs, or non-cash charges with respect to purchase accounting with respect to any acquisition, merger, consolidation, disposition or similar transaction, shall be excluded;

(11) any reasonable expenses or charges incurred in connection with any Equity Offering, Investment, Permitted Investment, acquisition, recapitalization or Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under this Indenture (in each case whether or not consummated) or the offering of the Notes, shall be excluded;

(12) the amount of any restructuring charges or reserves (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall include retention, severance, systems establishment cost, excess pension charges, contract termination costs, including future lease commitments, and costs to consolidate facilities and relocate employees), shall be excluded; and

(13) any gains or losses relating to foreign currency transactions, including those relating to mark-to-market of Indebtedness denominated in foreign currencies resulting from the application of GAAP, including pursuant to FAS No. 52, shall be excluded.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purpose of Section 4.07 only, there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any income arising from any sale or other disposition of Restricted Investments made by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries, any repurchases and redemptions of Restricted Investments made by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries, any repayments of loans and advances which constitute Restricted Investments made by the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary, any sale of the stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any distribution or dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary, in each case only to the extent such amounts increase the amount of Restricted Payments permitted under Section 4.07(b)(iii)(d)).

 

9


Consolidated Total Assets ” means the total consolidated total assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries determined in accordance with GAAP.

Contingent Obligations ” means, with respect to any Person, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing any leases, dividends or other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness (“primary obligations”) of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including, without limitation, any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent, (i) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor, (ii) to advance or supply funds (A) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation or (B) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor, or (iii) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof.

Contribution Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor in an aggregate principal amount not greater than twice the aggregate amount of cash contributions (other than Excluded Contributions) made to the capital of the Company or such Guarantor after the Issue Date; provided, that :

(1) if the aggregate principal amount of such Contribution Indebtedness is greater than one times such cash contributions to the capital of the Company or such Guarantor, as applicable, the amount of such excess shall be (A)(x) Subordinated Indebtedness (other than Secured Indebtedness) or (y) Senior Subordinated Indebtedness (other than Secured Indebtedness) and (B) Indebtedness with a Stated Maturity later than the Stated Maturity of the Notes; and

(2) such Contribution Indebtedness (a) is incurred within 180 days after the making of such cash contributions and (b) is so designated as Contribution Indebtedness pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate on the date of the incurrence thereof.

Controls Business ” means the assets and operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries related to the manufacture, marketing or sale of controls.

Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee ” will be at the address of the Trustee specified in Section 12.02 hereof or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Company.

Credit Agreement ” means that certain credit agreement, dated as of or about the Issue Date, among the Company, the “U.S. Borrower” (as defined therein), the “Parent” (as defined therein), each lender from time to time party thereto, the Initial L/C Issuer (as defined therein), the Initial Swing Line Lender (as defined therein) and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as Administrative Agent, including any related notes, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and in each case as amended, restated, supplemented, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced (whether at maturity or

 

10


thereafter) or refinanced from time to time in one or more agreements or indentures (in each case with the same or new lenders or institutional investors), including any agreement adding or changing the borrower or guarantor or extending the maturity thereof or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness thereunder or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof ( provided, that such increase in borrowings is permitted under Section 4.09).

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

Definitive Note ” means a certificated non-Global Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.06 hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto.

Depositary ” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.01(d) hereof as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture, including DTC, Euroclear and/or Clearstream.

Designated Asset Sales ” means Asset Sales of the Controls Business substantially as an entirety, which are designated as “Designated Asset Sales,” pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee on the date of sale provided, however , that the Company shall apply the Net Proceeds of any Designated Asset Sale, (x) first, to repay Secured Indebtedness, but only to the extent necessary, to ensure that after giving pro forma effect to such Designated Asset Sale and the application of such Net Proceeds, the Company’s Gross Secured Indebtedness Leverage Ratio would be no greater than the Company’s Gross Secured Indebtedness Leverage Ratio immediately prior to such Designated Asset Sale, (y) second, to redeem the Notes in aggregate principal amounts on a pro rata basis based on outstanding principal amounts thereof as of the end of the Company’s most recently concluded fiscal quarter for which a balance sheet is available, in each case in accordance with Section 3.07(a) in amounts sufficient to ensure that, after giving pro forma effect to such Designated Asset Sale and the application of such Net Proceeds, the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio would be no greater than the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio immediately prior to such Designated Asset Sale, provided further that, if the terms of Section 3.07(a) will not allow the Company to redeem the Notes in amounts sufficient to satisfy this clause (y), then the Company shall be permitted to repay any other Indebtedness in amounts sufficient to satisfy this clause (y) and (z) thereafter, in any other manner otherwise permitted under this Indenture, including without limitation, to make a Restricted Payment pursuant to Section 4.07(c)(xvi).

Designated Noncash Consideratio n” means the fair market value of noncash consideration received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Noncash Consideration pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of cash or Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of such Designated Noncash Consideration.

 

11


Designated Preferred Stock ” means Preferred Stock of the Company or any direct or indirect parent company of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock), that is issued for cash (other than to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) and is so designated as Designated Preferred Stock, pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate, on the issuance date thereof, the cash proceeds of which are excluded from the calculation set forth in Section 4.07(b)(iii).

Disqualified Stock ” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is putable or exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than as a result of a change of control or asset sale), pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than as a result of a change of control or asset sale), in whole or in part, in each case prior to the date 91 days after the earlier of the final maturity date of the Notes or the date such Notes are no longer outstanding; provided, however, that if such Capital Stock is issued to any plan for the benefit of employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or transferred by any such plan to such employees, such Capital Stock shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations.

Domestic Subsidiary ” means any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company that was formed under the laws of the United States, any state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia.

“DTC” means The Depository Trust Company.

EBITDA ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period plus, without duplication,

(1) the provision for taxes based on income or profits, plus franchise or similar taxes, of such Person for such period deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income, plus

(2) Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person for such period to the extent the same was deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income, plus

(3) Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense of such Person for such period to the extent such depreciation and amortization were deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income, plus

(4) any other noncash charges, expenses or losses (including any impairment charges and the impact of purchase accounting, including, but not limited to, the amortization of inventory step-up) reducing Consolidated Net Income for such period (excluding any such charge that represents an accrual or reserve for a cash expenditure for a future period), plus

 

12


(5) any net gain or loss resulting from Hedging Obligations relating to currency exchange risk, plus

(6) the amount of any expense for minority interests consisting of Subsidiary income attributable to minority equity interests of third parties in any Guarantor deducted (and not added back) in such period in calculating Consolidated Net Income, plus

(7) the amount of management, monitoring, consulting, advisory fees, termination payments and related expenses paid to the Sponsors (or any accruals relating to such fees and related expenses) during such period pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, plus

(8) Securitization Fees to the extent deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income for such period, plus

(9) any net after-tax income or loss from discontinued operations and any net after-tax gains or losses on disposal of discontinued operations, less

(10) noncash items increasing Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period (excluding any items which represent the reversal of any accrual of, or cash reserve for, anticipated cash charges made in any prior period).

Equity Interests ” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

Equity Offering ” means any public or private sale of common stock or Preferred Stock of the Company or any of its direct or indirect parent companies (excluding Disqualified Stock of the Company), other than (i) public offerings with respect to common stock of the Company or of any of its direct or indirect parent companies registered on Form S-4 or Form S-8, (ii) any such public or private sale that constitutes an Excluded Contribution or (iii) an issuance to any Subsidiary of the Company.

Euroclear ” means Euroclear Bank, S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system, and any successor thereto.

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

Excluded Contributions ” means net cash proceeds, marketable securities or Qualified Proceeds, in each case received by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries from:

(1) contributions to its common equity capital; and

(2) the sale (other than to a Subsidiary or to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or

 

13


agreement of the Company or any Subsidiary) of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock and Designated Preferred Stock),

in each case designated as Excluded Contributions pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate on the date such capital contributions are made or the date such Equity Interests are sold, as the case may be, which are excluded from the calculation set forth in Section 4.07(b)(iii).

Existing Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement) in existence on the date of this Indenture.

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio ” means, with respect to any Person for any period consisting of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ most recently ended four fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available, the ratio of EBITDA of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary incurs, assumes, guarantees or repays any Indebtedness or issues or redeems Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “ Calculation Date ”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, guarantee or repayment of Indebtedness, or such issuance or redemption of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period and as if the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary had not earned the interest income actually earned during such period in respect of such cash used to repay, repurchase, defease or otherwise discharge such Indebtedness.

If Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers or consolidations (as determined in accordance with GAAP) have been made by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to or simultaneously with the Calculation Date, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers or consolidations (and the change in any associated Fixed Charge obligations and the change in EBITDA resulting therefrom) had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period.

If since the beginning of such period any Person (that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period) shall have made any Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger or consolidation that would have required adjustment pursuant to this definition, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger or consolidation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.

For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to an Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger or consolidation and the amount of income or earnings relating thereto, the pro forma calculations shall be determined in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting Officer of the Company and shall comply with the requirements of Rule 11-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the Commission, except that such

 

14


pro forma calculations may include operating expense reductions for such period resulting from the transaction which is being given pro forma effect that (A) have been realized or (B) for which the steps necessary for realization have been taken (or are taken concurrently with such transaction) or (C) for which the steps necessary for realization are reasonably expected to be taken within the twelve month period following such transaction or (D) that have been added to pro forma EBITDA to calculate pro forma Adjusted EBITDA as set forth in the Offering Memorandum in footnote 6 under “Summary—Summary Historical Consolidated and Other Financial Data” (without duplication of amounts otherwise included in the calculation of EBITDA) and, in each case, including, but not limited to, (a) reduction in personnel expenses, (b) reduction of costs related to administrative functions, (c) reduction of costs related to leased or owned properties and (d) reductions from the consolidation of operations and streamlining of corporate overhead, provided, that , in each case, such adjustments are set forth in an Officers’ Certificate signed by the Company’s chief financial officer and another Officer which states (i) the amount of such adjustment or adjustments, (ii) in the case of items (B) or (C) above, that such adjustment or adjustments are based on the reasonable good faith beliefs of the Officers executing such Officers’ Certificate at the time of such execution and (iii) that any related incurrence of Indebtedness is permitted pursuant to this Indenture. If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligations applicable to such Indebtedness if the related hedge has a remaining term in excess of twelve months).

Interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at the interest rate reasonably determined by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Company to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of making the computation referred to above, interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility computed on a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Company may designate.

Fixed Charges ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum of, without duplication, (a) Consolidated Interest Expense (excluding all noncash interest expense and amortization/accretion of original issue discount, in each case, in connection with the Specified Financings (including any original issue discount created by fair value adjustments to Existing Indebtedness as a result of purchase accounting)) of such Person for such period, (b) all cash dividends paid, accrued and/or scheduled to be paid or accrued (other than dividends that are payable only at such time as there are no Notes outstanding) during such period (excluding items eliminated in consolidation or combination) on any series of Preferred Stock of such Person and its Subsidiaries and (c) all cash dividends paid, accrued and/or scheduled to be paid or accrued (other than dividends that are payable only at such time as there are no Notes outstanding) during such period (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Disqualified Stock of such Person and its Subsidiaries.

 

15


Foreign Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States which are in effect on the date of this Indenture, except with respect to any reports or financial information required to be delivered pursuant to Section 4.03, which shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP as in effect on the date thereof, except as provided below. At any time after adoption of IFRS by the Company for its financial statements and reports for all financial reporting purposes, the Company may elect to apply IFRS for all purposes of this Indenture, in lieu of United States GAAP, and, upon any such election, references herein to GAAP shall be construed to mean IFRS as in effect from time to time; provided that (1) any such election once made shall be irrevocable (and shall only be made once), (2) all financial statements and reports required to be provided after such election pursuant to this Indenture shall be prepared on the basis of IFRS and (3) from and after such election, all ratios, computations and other determinations (A) based on GAAP contained in this Indenture shall be computed in conformity with IFRS and (B) in this Indenture that require the application of GAAP for periods that include fiscal quarters ended prior to the Company’s election to apply IFRS shall remain as previously calculated or determined in accordance with GAAP. The Company shall give notice of any election to the Trustee and the Holders of Notes with 15 days of such election. For the avoidance of doubt, solely making an election (without any other action) referred to in this definition will not be treated as an incurrence of Indebtedness. For purposes of this description, the term “consolidated” with respect to any Person means such Person consolidated with its Restricted Subsidiaries and does not include any Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Global Note Legend ” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(ii) hereof, which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.

Global Notes ” means the 144A Global Note and the Regulation S Global Note.

Gross Secured Indebtedness Leverage Ratio ” means, with respect to any Person, at any date the ratio of (i) Secured Indebtedness of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date of calculation (determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP) to (ii) EBITDA of such Person for the four full fiscal quarters for which financial statements are available immediately preceding such date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred. In the event that the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs or redeems any Indebtedness subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Gross Secured Indebtedness Leverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to the event for which the calculation of the Gross Secured Indebtedness Leverage Ratio is made, then the Gross Secured Indebtedness Leverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence or redemption of Indebtedness as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period. The Gross Secured Indebtedness Leverage Ratio shall be calculated in a manner consistent with the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio,” including any pro forma calculations to EBITDA.

guarantee ” means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner including, without limitation, through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect

 

16


thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness or other obligations. When used as a verb, “guarantee” shall have a corresponding meaning.

Guarantee ” means any guarantee of the obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Notes issued hereunder by a Guarantor in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture. When used as a verb, “Guarantee” shall have a corresponding meaning.

Guarantor ” means any Person that issues a Guarantee of the Notes, either on the Issue Date or after the Issue Date in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; provided, that upon the release and discharge of such Person from its Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture, such Person shall cease to be a Guarantor. On the Issue Date, the Guarantors will be each Restricted Subsidiary that is a guarantor under the Credit Agreement.

Guarantor Senior Debt ” means the principal of, premium, if any, interest (including any interest accruing subsequent to the filing of a petition of bankruptcy at the rate provided for in the documentation with respect thereto, whether or not such interest is an allowed or allowable claim under applicable law) on, and all amounts owing in respect of (including guarantees of the foregoing obligations):

(1) all monetary obligations of every nature of such Guarantor under, or with respect to, the Credit Agreement, including, without limitation, obligations to pay principal, premium and interest, reimbursement obligations under letters of credit, fees, expenses and indemnities (and guarantees thereof);

(2) all monetary obligations of every nature of such Guarantor under, or with respect to, the Notes, including, without limitation, obligations to pay principal, premium and interest, fees, expenses and indemnities (and guarantees thereof); and

(3) all Hedging Obligations (and guarantees thereof),

in each case whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter incurred.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Guarantor Senior Debt” shall not include:

(1) any Indebtedness of such Guarantor to a Subsidiary of such Guarantor (other than any Securitization Repurchase Obligation);

(2) Indebtedness to, or guaranteed on behalf of, any shareholder, director, officer or employee of such Guarantor or any Subsidiary of such Guarantor (including, without limitation, amounts owed for compensation), other than Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement;

(3) Indebtedness to trade creditors and other amounts incurred in connection with obtaining goods, materials or services (including guarantees thereof or instruments evidencing such liabilities);

 

17


(4) Indebtedness represented by Capital Stock;

(5) any liability for federal, foreign, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by such Guarantor;

(6) that portion of any Indebtedness incurred in violation of any of Sections 4.06 and 4.09;

(7) Indebtedness which, when incurred and without respect to any election under Section 1111(b) of Title 11, United States Code, is without recourse to such Guarantor; and

(8) any Indebtedness which is, by its express terms, subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of such Guarantor.

Hedging Obligations ” means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person under:

(1) currency exchange, interest rate or commodity swap agreements, currency exchange, interest rate or commodity cap agreements and currency exchange, interest rate or commodity collar agreements; and

(2) other agreements or arrangements designed to manage, hedge or protect such Person with respect to fluctuations in currency exchange, interest rates or commodity prices.

Holder ” means a Person in whose name a Note is registered in the register maintained by the Registrar.

IFRS ” means the International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

Indebtedness ” means, with respect to any Person,

(a) any indebtedness (including principal and premium) of such Person, whether or not contingent:

(i) in respect of borrowed money,

(ii) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or, without duplication, reimbursement agreements in respect thereof),

(iii) representing the deferred and unpaid balance of the purchase price of any property (including Capitalized Lease Obligations), except (a) any such balance that constitutes a trade payable or similar obligation to a trade creditor in each case accrued in the ordinary course of business and

 

18


(b) any earn-out obligations, until such obligation becomes a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP, or

(iv) representing any interest rate Hedging Obligations,

if and to the extent that any of the foregoing Indebtedness (other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon the balance sheet (excluding the notes thereto) of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP;

(b) Disqualified Stock of such Person;

(c) to the extent not otherwise included, any obligation by such Person to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, on the Indebtedness of another Person (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business); and

(d) to the extent not otherwise included, Indebtedness of another Person secured by a Lien (other than a Lien on Capital Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary) on any asset owned by such Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person);

provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, Indebtedness shall be deemed not to include (a) Contingent Obligations incurred in the normal course of business and not in respect of borrowed money, (b) obligations under or in respect of Securitization Financings, or (c) items that would appear as a liability on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP as a result of the application of EITF 97-10, “The Effect of Lessee Involvement in Asset Construction.”

Indenture ” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

Independent Financial Advisor ” means an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm or consultant to Persons engaged in a Permitted Business of nationally recognized standing that is, in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company, qualified to perform the task for which it has been engaged

Indirect Participant ” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.

Institutional Accredited Investor ” means an institution that is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act, who are not also QIBs.

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

 

19


Investment Grade Securities ” means:

(1) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof (other than Cash Equivalents);

(2) debt securities or debt instruments with an Investment Grade Rating, but excluding any debt securities or instruments constituting loans or advances among the Company and its Subsidiaries;

(3) investments in any fund that invests exclusively in investments of the type described in clauses (1) and (2) which fund may also hold immaterial amounts of cash pending investment or distribution; and

(4) corresponding instruments in countries other than the United States customarily utilized for high quality investments.

Investments ” means, with respect to any Person, all direct or indirect investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of loans (including guarantees or other obligations), advances or capital contributions (including by means of any transfer of cash or other property to others or any payment for property or services for the account or use of others, but excluding accounts receivable, trade credit, advances to customers, commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees, in each case made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities issued by any other Person and investments that are required by GAAP to be classified on the balance sheet (excluding the footnotes) of such Person in the same manner as the other investments included in this definition to the extent such transactions involve the transfer of cash or other property. If the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Subsidiary of the Company, the Company will be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the fair market value of the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary not sold or disposed of in an amount determined as provided in Section 4.07(e).

For purposes of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary” and Section 4.07, (i) “Investments” shall include the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of a Subsidiary of the Company at the time that such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the Company shall be deemed to continue to have a permanent “Investment” in an Unrestricted Subsidiary in an amount (if positive) equal to (x) the Company’s “Investment” in such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation less (y) the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation; (ii) any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its fair market value at the time of such transfer, in each case as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company and (iii) any transfer of Capital Stock that results in an entity which became a Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date ceasing to be a Restricted

 

20


Subsidiary shall be deemed to be an Investment in an amount equal to the fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith as of the date of initial acquisition) of the Capital Stock of such entity owned by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries immediately after such transfer.

Issue Date ” means the first date the Initial Notes are issued under this Indenture.

Legended Regulation S Global Note ” means a Global Note in the form of Exhibit A bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount at maturity of the Notes initially sold in reliance on Rule 903 of Regulation S.

Lien ” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction; provided, that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to constitute a Lien.

Material Foreign Subsidiary ” means, any Foreign Subsidiary that (a) contributed 5.0% or more of the consolidated EBITDA of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the period of four fiscal quarters most recently ended on or prior to the date of determination, (b) had consolidated assets representing 5.0% or more of the total consolidated assets of the Company on the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter ended for which internal financial statements are available on or prior to the date of determination or (c) owns any Material Intellectual Property or any Material Real Property; provided, that the Company shall be required to designate one or more Foreign Subsidiaries that would not otherwise satisfy the foregoing requirements as Material Foreign Subsidiaries to the extent that (a) the aggregate amount of the consolidated EBITDA of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the period of four fiscal quarters most recently ended for which internal financial statements are available attributable to all Foreign Subsidiaries that are not Material Foreign Subsidiaries or otherwise Guarantors would otherwise exceed 10.0% or more of the consolidated EBITDA of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such period or (b) the total consolidated assets of all Foreign Subsidiaries that are not Material Foreign Subsidiaries or otherwise Guarantors would otherwise exceed 10.0% or more of the total consolidated assets of the Company on the last day of the most recently-ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Foreign Subsidiary shall be deemed a Material Foreign Subsidiary if the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation prohibits by law, rule, regulation or order such Foreign Subsidiary from providing a Guarantee that would otherwise be required pursuant to Section 4.17, provided, that the Company delivers an Officers’ Certificate to the Trustee citing the applicable provision of local law that prohibits the Guarantee.

Material Intellectual Property ” means any intellectual property that in the good faith determination of the Board of Directors or Senior Management (x) is material to the

 

21


operation of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (y) could reasonably be expected to become material to such operation.

Material Real Property ” means fee owned real property (a) with a value in excess of $5.0 million or (b) in the good faith determination of the Board of Directors or Senior Management, where manufacturing operations that are material to the operation or the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, are conducted.

Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor to its rating business.

Net Income ” means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends or accretion of any Preferred Stock.

Net Proceeds ” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of any Asset Sale, in each case net of legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and brokerage and sales commissions, any relocation expenses incurred as a result thereof, taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements), repayment of Indebtedness that is secured by the property or assets that are the subject of such Asset Sale and any deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by the Company as a reserve in accordance with GAAP against any liabilities associated with the asset disposed of in such transaction and retained by the Company after such sale or other disposition thereof, including, without limitation, pension and other post employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction.

Net Secured Indebtedness Leverage Ratio ” means, with respect to any Person, at any date the ratio of (i) Secured Indebtedness of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date of calculation (determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP) less cash and Cash Equivalents of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date of calculation after giving effect to any incurrence of Indebtedness on such date, but without giving effect to the receipt of proceeds therefrom to (ii) EBITDA of such Person for the four full fiscal quarters for which financial statements are available immediately preceding such date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred. In the event that the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs or redeems any Indebtedness subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Net Secured Indebtedness Leverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to the event for which the calculation of the Net Secured Indebtedness Leverage Ratio is made, then the Net Secured Indebtedness Leverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence or redemption of Indebtedness as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period. The Net Secured Indebtedness Leverage Ratio shall be calculated in a manner consistent with the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio,” including any pro forma calculations to EBITDA.

Non-U.S. Person ” means a Person who is not a U.S. Person.

 

22


Notes ” has the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this Indenture. The Initial Notes and any Additional Notes shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, and unless the context otherwise requires, all references to the Notes shall include the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes.

Obligations ” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements (including, without limitation, reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit), damages and other liabilities, and guarantees of payment of such principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities, payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

Offering Memorandum ” means that certain offering memorandum, dated May 6, 2011, relating to the initial offering of the Notes.

Officer ” means a Managing Director, Director, principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer, the principal accounting officer or any Person duly authorized to act for and on behalf of the Company.

Officers’ Certificate ” means a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by two Officers of the Company.

Opinion of Counsel ” means an opinion from legal counsel that meets the requirements of Section 12.05 hereof. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company.

“Parent” means Sensata Technologies Holding N.V., a public limited liability company incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands or any successor or other entity that serves as a parent company to the Company.

Participant ” means, with respect to the Depositary, a Person who has an account with the Depositary.

Permitted Asset Swap ” means any transfer of property or assets by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in which at least 90% of the consideration received by the transferor consists of properties or assets (other than cash) that will be used in a Permitted Business; provided, that the aggregate fair market value of the property or assets being transferred by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is not greater than the aggregate fair market value of the property or assets received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in such exchange ( provided, however, that in the event such aggregate fair market value of the property or assets being transferred or received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is (x) less than $40.0 million, such determination shall be made in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company and (y) greater than or equal to $40.0 million, such determination shall be made by an Independent Financial Advisor).

Permitted Business ” means the business and any services, activities or businesses incidental, or directly related or similar to, any line of business engaged in by the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the Issue Date or any business activity that is a reasonable extension, development or expansion thereof or ancillary thereto.

 

23


Permitted Holders ” means (i) each of the Sponsors and their respective Affiliates, but not including, however, any portfolio companies of any of the Sponsors, (ii) Officers, provided, that if such Officers beneficially own more shares of Voting Stock of the Company or any of its direct or indirect parent entities than the number of such shares beneficially owned by all the Officers as of the Issue Date or acquired by Officers within 90 days immediately following the Issue Date, such excess shall be deemed not to be beneficially owned by Permitted Holders, and (iii) any “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act or any successor provision) of which any of the foregoing are members, provided, that in the case of such “group” and without giving effect to the existence of such “group” or any other “group,” such Sponsors, Affiliates and Officers (subject, in the case of Officers, to the foregoing limitation), collectively, have beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company or any of its direct or indirect parent entities held by such “group”.

Permitted Investments ” means:

(1) any Investment by the Company in any Restricted Subsidiary or by a Restricted Subsidiary in another Restricted Subsidiary;

(2) any Investment in cash and Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities;

(3) any Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in a Person that is engaged in a Permitted Business if as a result of such Investment (A) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or (B) such Person, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;

(4) any Investment in securities or other assets, including earnouts, not constituting cash or Cash Equivalents and received in connection with an Asset Sale made pursuant to Section 4.10 or any other disposition of assets not constituting an Asset Sale;

(5) any Investment existing on the Issue Date and any modification, replacement, renewal, refunding, refinancing or extension thereof; provided, that the amount of any such Investment may be increased (x) as required by the terms of such Investment as in existence on the Issue Date or (y) as otherwise permitted under this Indenture;

(6) loans and advances to, or guarantees provided for the benefit of, officers, directors and employees for travel, entertainment, relocation and other business expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(7) any Investment acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (A) in exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable held by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a result of a bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of the issuer of

 

24


such other Investment or accounts receivable or (B) as a result of a foreclosure by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;

(8) Hedging Obligations permitted under Section 4.09(b)(ix);

(9) loans and advances to, or guarantees provided for the benefit of, officers, directors and employees to fund such Person’s purchase of Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent company thereof, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $20.0 million outstanding at any one time under this clause (9); provided that any proceeds from any such loans to purchase Equity Interests under this clause (9) that are either received by the Company or contributed by such direct or indirect parent company of the Company shall be excluded from the calculation under Section 4.07(b)(iii) except to the extent such loans are actually repaid;

(10) any Investments by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (10) that are at that time outstanding (without giving effect to the sale of an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent the proceeds of such sale do not consist of cash and/or marketable securities), not to exceed the greater of (x) $150.0 million and (y) 4.0% of Consolidated Total Assets of the Company as of the end of the Company’s fiscal quarter most recently ended prior to the date on which such Investment is made for which financial statements are available (with the fair market value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value); provided, that if such Investment is in Capital Stock of a Person that subsequently becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed permitted under clause (1) above and shall not be included as having been made pursuant to this clause (10);

(11) Investments the payment for which consists of Equity Interests of the Company or any of its direct or indirect parent companies (exclusive of Disqualified Stock);

(12) guarantees of Indebtedness permitted under the covenant described in Section 4.09;

(13) Investments consisting of purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, material or equipment or purchases of contract rights or licenses of intellectual property, in each case, in the ordinary course of business;

(14) Investments of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or at the time such Person merges or consolidates with the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in either case, in compliance with this Indenture; provided, that such Investments

 

25


were not made by such Person in connection with, or in anticipation or contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or such merger or consolidation;

(15) any Investment in a Securitization Subsidiary or any Investment by a Securitization Subsidiary in any other Person in connection with a Qualified Securitization Financing, including, without limitation, Investments of funds held in accounts permitted or required by the arrangements governing such Qualified Securitization Financing or any related Indebtedness;

(16) Investments consisting of earnest money deposits required in connection with a purchase agreement or other acquisition;

(17) repurchases of the Notes;

(18) Investments received in compromise or resolution of litigation, arbitration or other disputes;

(19) Investments by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries consisting of deposits, prepayment and other credits to suppliers or lessors in the ordinary course of business; and

(20) Investments in deposit accounts or securities accounts opened in the ordinary course of business.

For purposes of this definition, in the event that a proposed Investment (or portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Investments described in clauses (1) through (20) above, or is otherwise entitled to be incurred or made pursuant to Section 4.07, the Company will be entitled to classify, or later reclassify, such Investment (or portion thereof) in one or more of such categories set forth above or under Section 4.07.

Permitted Liens ” means the following types of Liens:

(1) deposits of cash or government bonds made in the ordinary course of business to secure surety or appeal bonds to which such Person is a party;

(2) Liens in favor of issuers of performance, surety, bid, indemnity, warranty, release, appeal or similar bonds or with respect to other regulatory requirements or letters of credit or bankers’ acceptance issued, and completion guarantees provided for, in each case pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business or consistent with past practice;

(3) Liens on property or shares of stock of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided, however , that such Liens are not created or incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, or to provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support utilized in connection with, such other Person becoming such a Subsidiary; provided, further , however, that such

 

26


Liens may not extend to any other property owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(4) Liens on property at the time the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary acquired the property, including any acquisition by means of a merger or consolidation with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however , that such Liens are not created or incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, or to provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support utilized for, such acquisition; provided, further however , that such Liens may not extend to any other property owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(5) Liens securing Hedging Obligations so long as the related Indebtedness is permitted to be incurred under this Indenture and is secured by a Lien on the same property securing such Hedging Obligation;

(6) Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances or letters of credit issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;

(7) Liens in favor of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(8) Liens to secure any Indebtedness that is incurred to refinance any Indebtedness that has been secured by a Lien existing on the Issue Date or referred to in clauses (3), (4) and (20)(B) of this definition; provided, however , that such Liens (x) are no less favorable to the holders of the Notes, taken as a whole, and are not more favorable to the lienholders with respect to such Liens than the Liens in respect of the Indebtedness being refinanced; and (y) do not extend to or cover any property or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries not securing the Indebtedness so refinanced;

(9) Liens on Securitization Assets and related assets of the type specified in the definition of “Securitization Financing” incurred in connection with any Qualified Securitization Financing;

(10) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or levies not yet delinquent or the failure to pay would not result in a material adverse effect, or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted or for property taxes on property that the Company or one of its Subsidiaries has determined to abandon if the sole recourse for such tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim is to such property;

(11) judgment liens in respect of judgments that do not constitute an Event of Default so long as such Liens are adequately bonded and any appropriate legal proceedings that may have been duly initiated for the review of such

 

27


judgment have not been finally terminated or the period within which such proceedings may be initiated has not expired;

(12) pledges, deposits or security under workmen’s compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations, or deposits to secure the performance of tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import or customs duties or for the payment of rent, or deposits or other security securing liabilities to insurance carriers under insurance or self-insurance arrangements or earnest money deposits required in connection with a purchase agreement or other acquisition, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(13) Liens imposed by law, including carriers’, warehousemen’s, materialmen’s, repairmen’s and mechanics’ Liens, in each case for sums not overdue by more than 30 days or if more than 30 days overdue, are unfiled and no other action has been taken to enforce such Lien or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted;

(14) encumbrances, ground leases, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights of way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning, building codes or other restrictions (including, without limitation, minor defects or irregularities in title and similar encumbrances) as to the use of real properties or Liens incidental to the conduct of business or to the ownership of properties that do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business;

(15) leases, licenses, subleases or sublicenses granted to others in the ordinary course of business that do not (x) interfere in any material respect with the business of the Company or any of its material Restricted Subsidiaries (including the Company) or (y) secure any Indebtedness;

(16) the rights reserved or vested in any Person by the terms of any lease, license, franchise, grant or permit held by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or by a statutory provision, to terminate any such lease, license, franchise, grant or permit, or to require annual or periodic payments as a condition to the continuance thereof;

(17) banker’s Liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a depositary institution, provided, that (a) such deposit account is not a dedicated cash collateral account and is not subject to restrictions against access by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of those set forth by regulations promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board or other applicable law and (b) such deposit

 

28


account is not intended by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to provide collateral to the depositary institution;

(18) Liens arising from Uniform Commercial Code financing statement filings regarding operating leases or consignments entered into by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(19) Liens modifying or replacing Liens in existence on the Issue Date; provided, however , that such Liens are no less favorable to the holders of the Notes, taken as a whole;

(20) other Liens securing Indebtedness having a principal amount not to exceed $50.0 million at any time outstanding;

(21) (A) Liens securing Indebtedness incurred in accordance with Section 4.09(b)(iv) and (B) Liens securing Indebtedness incurred to finance the construction, purchase or lease of, or repairs, improvements or additions to, property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however , with respect to (B), that (x) the Lien may not extend to any other property (except for accessions to such property) owned by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries at the time the Lien is incurred, (y) such Liens attach concurrently with or within 270 days after the acquisition, repair, replacement, construction or improvement (as applicable) of the property subject to such Liens and (z) with respect to Capitalized Lease Obligations, such Liens do not at any time extend to or cover any assets (except for accessions to such assets) other than the assets subject to such Capitalized Lease Obligations; provided, that individual financings of equipment provided by one lender may be cross collateralized to other financings of equipment provided by such lender;

(22) Liens (A) of a collection bank arising under Section 4-210 of the Uniform Commercial Code on items in the course of collection, (B) attaching to commodity trading accounts or other commodities brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business; and (C) in favor of a banking institution arising as a matter of law encumbering deposits (including the right of set-off) and which are within the general parameters customary in the banking industry;

(23) Liens encumbering reasonable customary initial deposits and margin deposits and similar Liens attaching to commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;

(24) Liens that are contractual rights of set-off (A) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks not given in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness, (B) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to permit satisfaction

 

29


of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries or (C) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

(25) Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement permitted under this Indenture;

(26) Liens with respect to the assets of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor securing Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary incurred in accordance with Section 4.09;

(27) Liens arising by operation of law under Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code in favor of a reclaiming seller of goods or buyer of goods;

(28) security given to a public or private utility or any governmental authority as required in the ordinary course of business;

(29) Liens to secure Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Sections 4.09(b)(xi) and 4.09(b)(xxii);

(30) landlords’ and lessors’ liens in respect of rent not in default for more than sixty (60) days or the existence of which, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse effect;

(31) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities imposed by applicable law arising in the ordinary course of business in connection with the importation of goods and securing obligations, in each case for sums not overdue by more than thirty (30) days or if more than thirty (30) days overdue, are unfiled and no other action has been taken to enforce such Lien or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted;

(32) Liens on securities which are the subject of repurchase agreements incurred in the ordinary course of business; and

(33) Liens on the Capital Stock of Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

Person ” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company or government or other entity.

Preferred Stock ” means any Equity Interest with preferential rights of payment of dividends upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up

 

30


Private Placement Legend ” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(i) hereof to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.

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

Qualified Proceeds ” means assets that are used or useful in, or Capital Stock of any Person engaged in, a Permitted Business; provided, that the fair market value of any such assets or Capital Stock shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith, except that in the event the value of any such assets or Capital Stock exceeds $25.0 million, the fair market value thereof shall be determined by an Independent Financial Advisor.

Qualified Securitization Financing ” means any Securitization Financing of a Securitization Subsidiary that meets the following conditions: (i) the Board of Directors of the Company shall have determined in good faith that such Qualified Securitization Financing (including financing terms, covenants, termination events and other provisions) is in the aggregate economically fair and reasonable to the Company and the Securitization Subsidiary, (ii) all sales of Securitization Assets and related assets to the Securitization Subsidiary are made at fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Company) and (iii) the financing terms, covenants, termination events and other provisions thereof shall be market terms (as determined in good faith by the Company) and may include Standard Securitization Undertakings. The grant of a security interest in any Securitization Assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than a Securitization Subsidiary) to secure Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement and any Refinancing Indebtedness with respect thereto shall not be deemed a Qualified Securitization Financing.

Rating Agency ” means (1) S&P and Moody’s or (2) if S&P or Moody’s or both of them are not making ratings publicly available, a nationally recognized statistical rating organization within the meaning of Rule 15c3-1(c)(2) under the Exchange Act, as the case may be, selected by the Company, which will be substituted for S&P or Moody’s or both, as the case may be.

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

Regulation S ” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

Regulation S Global Note ” means a Legended Regulation S Global Note or an Unlegended Regulation S Global Note, as appropriate.

Responsible Officer ,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the Corporate Trust Department of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom

 

31


such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject, in each case having direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

Restricted Definitive Note ” means a Definitive Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

Restricted Global Note ” means a Global Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

Restricted Investment ” means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

Restricted Period ” means the 40-day distribution compliance period as defined in Regulation S, which period shall terminate (a) on June 21, 2011 with respect to the Initial Notes and (b) on such date as set forth in the applicable supplemental indenture entered into pursuant to Section 9.01(ix) with respect to any Additional Notes.

“Restricted Subsidiary” means, at any time, any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company that is not then an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that upon the occurrence of an Unrestricted Subsidiary ceasing to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary, such Subsidiary shall be included in the definition of Restricted Subsidiary.

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

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

Rule 903 ” means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act.

Rule 904 ” means Rule 904 promulgated under the Securities Act.

S&P ” means Standard and Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and any successor to its rating business.

Secured Indebtedness ” means any Indebtedness secured by a Lien.

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

Securitization Assets ” means any accounts receivable or other revenue streams subject to a Qualified Securitization Financing.

Securitization Fees ” means reasonable distributions or payments made directly or by means of discounts with respect to any participation interest issued or sold in connection with, and other fees paid to a Person that is not a Securitization Subsidiary in connection with any Qualified Securitization Financing.

Securitization Financing ” means any transaction or series of transactions that may be entered into by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries may sell, convey or otherwise transfer to (a) a Securitization Subsidiary

 

32


(in the case of a transfer by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) and (b) any other Person (in the case of a transfer by a Securitization Subsidiary), or may grant a security interest in, any Securitization Assets (whether now existing or arising in the future) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and any assets related thereto including, without limitation, all collateral securing such Securitization Assets, all contracts and all guarantees or other obligations in respect of such Securitization Assets, proceeds of such Securitization Assets and other assets which are customarily transferred or in respect of which security interests are customarily granted in connection with asset securitization transactions involving Securitization Assets and any Hedging Obligations entered into by the Company or any such Subsidiary in connection with such Securitization Assets.

Securitization Repurchase Obligation ” means any obligation of a seller of Securitization Assets in a Qualified Securitization Financing to repurchase Securitization Assets arising as a result of a breach of a representation, warranty or covenant or otherwise, including, without limitation, as a result of a receivable or portion thereof becoming subject to any asserted defense, dispute, off set or counterclaim of any kind as a result of any action taken by, any failure to take action by or any other event relating to the seller.

Securitization Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Company (or another Person) formed for the purposes of engaging in one or more Qualified Securitization Financings and other activities reasonably related thereto.

Senior Debt ” means the principal of, premium, if any, interest (including any interest accruing after the commencement of any bankruptcy proceeding at the rate provided for in the documentation with respect thereto, whether or not such interest is an allowed or allowable claim under applicable law) on, and all amounts owing in respect of (including guarantees of the foregoing obligations):

(1) all monetary obligations of every nature of the Company under, or with respect to, the Credit Agreement, including, without limitation, obligations to pay principal, premium and interest, reimbursement obligations under letters of credit, fees, expenses and indemnities (and guarantees thereof);

(2) all monetary obligations of every nature of the Company under, or with respect to, the Notes, including, without limitation, obligations to pay principal, premium and interest, fees, expenses and indemnities (and guarantees thereof); and

(3) all Hedging Obligations (and guarantees thereof),

in each case whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter incurred.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Senior Debt” shall not include:

(1) any Indebtedness of the Company to a Subsidiary of the Company (other than any Securitization Repurchase Obligation);

 

33


(2) Indebtedness to, or guaranteed on behalf of, any shareholder, director, officer or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company (including, without limitation, amounts owed for compensation), other than Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement;

(3) Indebtedness to trade creditors and other amounts incurred in connection with obtaining goods, materials or services (including guarantees thereof or instruments evidencing such liabilities);

(4) Indebtedness represented by Capital Stock;

(5) any liability for federal, foreign, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by the Company;

(6) that portion of any Indebtedness incurred in violation of Sections 4.06 or 4.09;

(7) Indebtedness which, when incurred and without respect to any election under Section 1111(b) of Title 11, United States Code, is without recourse to the Company; and

(8) any Indebtedness which is, by its express terms, subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company.

Senior Subordinated Indebtedness ” means any Indebtedness of the Company or a Guarantor that specifically provides that such Indebtedness is not subordinated by its terms in right of payment to any Indebtedness or other obligation of the Company or such Guarantor which is not Senior Debt (in the case of the Company) or Guarantor Senior Debt (in the case of a Guarantor).

Senior Management ” means the chief executive officer or the chief financial officer of the Company.

Shareholders Agreements ” means, collectively: (i) the First Amended and Restated Securityholders Agreement, dated March 8, 2010, by and among Sensata Investment Company S.C.A. ( “SIC” ), Parent, Sensata Management Company S.A. ( “SMC” ), funds managed by Bain Capital Partners, LLC or its affiliates, Asia Opportunity Fund II, L.P. and AOF II Employee Co-Invest Fund, L.P.; (ii) the First Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement, dated March 8, 2010, entered into by and among SMC, SIC, Parent, funds managed by Bain Capital Partners, LLC or its affiliates, certain other investors that are parties thereto and such other persons, if any, that from time to time become parties thereto; (iii) the Administrative Services Agreement, effective as of January 1, 2008, by and between SIC and Parent; (iv) the First Amended and Restated Management Securityholders Addendum—Dutchco Option Plan, dated as of April 27, 2006; (v) the First Amended and Restated Management Securityholders Addendum—Dutchco Securities Plan, dated as of April 27, 2006; and (vi) the First Amended and Restated Management Securityholders Addendum—Luxco Securities Plan, dated as of April 27, 2006, in each case as amended and supplemented through the Issue Date.

 

34


Significant Subsidiary ” means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Regulation is in effect on the date hereof (except, with respect to each test contained therein, substituting 20 percent instead of 10 percent as the applicable threshold).

Specified Financings ” means the entry into the Credit Agreement, the borrowings made thereafter and the offering of the Notes.

Sponsors ” means Bain Capital Partners LLC and its Affiliates and CCMP Asia Equity Partners.

Standard Securitization Undertakings ” means representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities entered into by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company which the Company has determined in good faith to be customary in a Securitization Financing, including, without limitation, those relating to the servicing of the assets of a Securitization Subsidiary, it being understood that any Securitization Repurchase Obligation shall be deemed to be a Standard Securitization Undertaking.

Stated Maturity ” means, with respect to any installment of interest or principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which the payment of interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the original documentation governing such Indebtedness, and will not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.

Subordinated Indebtedness ” means (a) with respect to the Company, any Indebtedness of the Company that is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes and (b) with respect to any Guarantor of the Notes, any Indebtedness of such Guarantor that is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to its Guarantee of the Notes.

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any specified Person:

(1) any corporation, association or other business entity, of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and

(2) any partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity of which (x) more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general or limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership or otherwise and (y) such Person or any Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary

 

35


of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity.

TIA ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb).

Total Consolidated Indebtedness ” means, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to the aggregate amount of all indebtedness of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries outstanding as of such date of determination, after giving effect to any incurrence of Indebtedness and the application of the proceeds therefrom giving rise to such determination.

Treasury Rate ” means, as of the applicable redemption date, the yield to maturity as of such redemption date of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to such redemption date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from such redemption date to May 15, 2015; provided, however, that if the period from such redemption date to May 15, 2015 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.

Trustee ” means The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York banking corporation, until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.

Unlegended Regulation S Global Note ” means a permanent Global Note in the form of Exhibit A bearing the Global Note Legend, deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee and issued upon expiration of the Restricted Period.

Unrestricted Definitive Note ” means a Definitive Note that does not bear and is not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

Unrestricted Global Note ” means a Global Note that does not bear and is not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

Unrestricted Subsidiary ” means (i) any Subsidiary of the Company (other than the Company) that at the time of determination is an Unrestricted Subsidiary (as designated by the Board of Directors of the Company, as provided below) and (ii) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Subsidiary of the Company (including any existing Subsidiary and any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary, but excluding the Company) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Equity Interests or Indebtedness of, or owns or holds any Lien on, any property of, the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company (other than any Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated); provided, that (a) any Unrestricted Subsidiary must be an entity of which shares of the Capital Stock or other equity interests (including partnership interests) entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes that may be cast by all shares or equity interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing

 

36


body are owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, (b) such designation complies with Section 4.07 and (c) each of (I) the Subsidiary to be so designated and (II) its Subsidiaries has not at the time of designation, and does not thereafter, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable with respect to any Indebtedness pursuant to which the lender has recourse to any of the assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, that , immediately after giving effect to such designation, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and (x) the Company could incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test described under Section 4.09(a) or (y) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be equal to or greater than such ratio for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such designation. Any such designation by the Board of Directors of the Company shall be notified by the Company to the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the board resolution giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.

U.S. Dollar Equivalent ” means with respect to any monetary amount in a currency other than U.S. dollars, at any time for determination thereof, the amount of U.S. dollars obtained by converting such foreign currency involved in such computation into U.S. dollars at the spot rate for the purchase of U.S. dollars with the applicable foreign currency as published in The Wall Street Journal in the “Exchange Rates” column under the heading “Currency Trading” on the date two Business Days prior to such determination.

Except as described in Section 4.09, whenever it is necessary to determine whether the Company has complied with any covenant in this Indenture or a Default has occurred thereunder and an amount is expressed in a currency other than U.S. dollars, such amount will be treated as the U.S. Dollar Equivalent determined as of the date such amount is initially determined in such currency.

U.S. Government Securities ” means securities that are

(a) direct obligations of the United States of America for the timely payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged; or

(b) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America,

which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuers thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act), as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Securities or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such U.S. Government Securities held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt; provided, that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government

 

37


Securities or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the U.S. Government Securities evidenced by such depository receipt.

U.S. Person ” means a U.S. Person as defined in Rule 902(k) promulgated under the Securities Act.

Voting Stock ” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time ordinarily entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.

Weighted Average Life to Maturity ” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing:

(1) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect of the Indebtedness, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by

(2) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary ” is any Wholly Owned Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary.

Wholly Owned Subsidiary ” of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person, 100% of the outstanding Capital Stock or other ownership interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares and shares issued to foreign nationals under applicable law) shall at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

Section 1.02 Other Definitions .

 

Term

   Defined
in Section
 

Acceleration Notice

     6.02   

Additional Amounts

     4.01   

Additional Taxing Jurisdiction

     4.01   

Affiliate Transaction

     4.11   

Asset Sale Offer

     4.10   

Authentication Order

     2.02   

Change of Control Offer

     4.15   

Change of Control Payment

     4.15   

Change of Control Payment Date

     4.15   

Change in Tax Law

     3.07   

 

38


Term

   Defined
in Section
 

Covenant Defeasance

     8.03   

Event of Default

     6.01   

Excess Proceeds

     4.10   

Increased Amount

     4.12   

incur

     4.09   

Initial Default

     6.01   

Legal Defeasance

     8.02   

Minimum Dollar Denomination

     2.01   

Paying Agent

     2.03   

Permitted Debt

     4.09   

Refinancing Indebtedness

     4.09   

Refunding Capital Stock

     4.07   

Registrar

     2.03   

Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction

     4.01   

Restricted Payments

     4.07   

Retired Capital Stock

     4.07   

Reversion Date

     4.19   

Suspended Covenants

     4.19   

Suspension Period

     4.19   

Taxes

     4.01   

Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act .

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.

The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

indenture securities ” means the Notes and the Guarantees;

indenture security Holder ” means a Holder of a Note;

indenture to be qualified ” means this Indenture;

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

obligor ” on the indenture securities means the Company and the Guarantors, respectively, and any successor obligor upon the indenture securities, respectively.

All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by the Commission rule under the TIA have the meanings so assigned to them by such definitions.

 

39


Section 1.04 Rules of Construction .

Unless the context otherwise requires:

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

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

(iii) “or” is not exclusive;

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

(v) “will” shall be interpreted to express a command;

(vi) provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and

(vii) references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act will be deemed to include substitute, replacement of successor sections or rules adopted by the Commission from time to time.

ARTICLE 2

THE NOTES

Section 2.01 Form and Dating .

(a) General . The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. Each Note will be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be in denominations of $2,000 or, if greater at the Issue Date, the dollar equivalent of €1,000 rounded up to the nearest $1,000 (the “ Minimum Dollar Denomination ”) and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

The terms and provisions contained in the Notes will constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

(b) Rule 144A Global Notes . Notes offered and sold in reliance on Rule 144A shall be issued initially in the form of a 144A Global Note, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary and registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary for the accounts of

 

40


designated Participants in the Depositary, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. Each Global Note will represent such of the outstanding Notes as will be specified therein and each shall provide that it represents the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby will be made by the Trustee or the custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06 hereof.

(c) Regulation S Global Notes . Notes offered and sold in reliance on Regulation S shall be issued initially in the form of the Legended Regulation S Global Note, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary, and registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary for the accounts of the designated Participants in the Depositary, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. Following the termination of the Restricted Period, beneficial interests in a Legended Regulation S Global Note shall be exchanged for beneficial interests in an Unlegended Regulation S Global Note pursuant to Section 2.06 and the Applicable Procedures. Simultaneously with the authentication of Unlegended Regulation S Global Notes, the Trustee shall cancel such Legended Regulation S Global Note. The aggregate principal amount of the Regulation S Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, in connection with transfers of interest as hereinafter provided.

(d) Depositary. The Company has initially appointed DTC to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.

(e) Euroclear and Clearstream Procedures Applicable. The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and the “General Terms and Conditions of Clearstream Banking” and “Customer Handbook” of Clearstream will be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global that are held by Euroclear or Clearstream as Participants in DTC.

(f) None of the Trustee or any Agent shall have any responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of an interest in a Global Note, a member of, or a Participant or Indirect Participant in, the Depositary or other Person, with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depositary or its nominee or of any Participant, Indirect Participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Global Notes or with respect to the delivery to any Participant, Indirect Participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depositary) of any notice (including any notice of redemption) or the payment of any amount or delivery of any Notes (or other security or property) under or with respect to such Notes. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders in respect of the Notes shall be given or made only to or upon the order of the registered Holders (which shall be the Depositary or its nominee in the case of a Global Note). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Note shall be exercised only through the Depositary subject to

 

41


the Applicable Procedures of the Depositary. The Trustee and each Agent may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depositary with respect to its members, Participants, Indirect Participants and any beneficial owners.

Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication .

At least one Officer must sign the Notes for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.

If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note will nevertheless be valid.

A Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee. The signature will be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.

The Trustee will, upon receipt of a written order of the Company signed by two Officers of the Company (an “ Authentication Order ”), authenticate Notes for original issue that may be validly issued under this Indenture, including any Additional Notes. The aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding at any time may not exceed the aggregate principal amount of Notes authorized for issuance by the Company pursuant to one or more Authentication Orders, except as provided in Section 2.07 hereof.

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

Section 2.03 Agents .

The Company will maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“ Registrar ”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“ Paying Agent ”). The Registrar will keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company will notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

The Company may remove any Registrar or Paying Agent upon written notice to such Registrar or Paying Agent and to the Trustee; provided, however , that no such removal shall

 

42


become effective until (i) if applicable, acceptance of an appointment by a successor as evidenced by an appropriate agreement entered into by the Company and such successor Registrar or Paying Agent, as the case may be, and delivered to the Trustee or (ii) notification to the Trustee that the Trustee shall serve as Registrar or Paying Agent until the appointment of a successor in accordance with clause (i) above. The Registrar or Paying Agent may resign at any time upon written notice to the Company and the Trustee; provided, however , that the Trustee may resign as Paying Agent or Registrar only if the Trustee also resigns as Trustee in accordance with Section 7.08.

The Company initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Registrar and Paying Agent with respect to the Notes.

Section 2.04 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust .

The Company will require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium or interest on the Notes, and will notify the Trustee in writing of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by such Paying Agent. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary) will have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it will segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Company, the Trustee will serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

Section 2.05 Holder Lists .

The Trustee will preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company will furnish or cause the Registrar to furnish to the Trustee at least seven Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of Notes and the Company shall otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a).

Section 2.06 Transfer and Exchange .

(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes . A Global Note may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary

 

43


or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. All Global Notes will be exchanged by the Company for Definitive Notes if:

(A) The Depositary (1) notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Global Notes and the Company thereupon fails to appoint a successor Depositary within 120 Business Days or (2) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act;

(B) the Company, at its option, notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause the issuance of such Definitive Notes in exchange for beneficial interest in the Global Notes; or

(C) there shall have occurred and be continuing a Default or an Event of Default with respect to the Notes.

Upon the occurrence of either of the preceding events in (A) or (B) above, Definitive Notes shall be issued in such names as the Depositary shall instruct the Trustee. Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.10 hereof. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Section 2.07 or 2.10 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a), however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b), (c) or (d).

(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes . The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes will be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also will require compliance with either subparagraph (i) or (ii) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:

(i) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note . Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend; provided, however , that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, transfers of beneficial interests in the Legended Regulation S Global Note may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person. Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.06(b)(i).

 

44


(ii) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.06(b)(i) above, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either:

(A) both (1) and (2):

(1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and

(2) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase;

(B) both (1) and (2):

(1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and

(2) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (B)(1) above,

provided, that in no event shall Definitive Notes be issued upon the transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in the Legended Regulation S Global Note prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period and the receipt by the Registrar of a certificate from the transferor stating that the transfer complies with Rule 903 and Rule 904 of the Securities Act.

Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Notes pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof.

(iii) Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(ii) above and the Registrar receives the following:

(A) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof; and

 

45


(B) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Legended Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof.

(iv) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note . A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(ii) above and the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(a) thereof; or

(2) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case, if the Company so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

If any such transfer is effected at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to subparagraph (iv) above.

(v) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note. Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.

(c) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes.

(i) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

 

46


(A) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(a) thereof;

(B) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate from the transferor to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(C) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate from the transferor to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

(D) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate from the transferor to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

(E) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to an Institutional Accredited Investor in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in subparagraphs (B) through (D) above, a certificate from the transferor to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3)(d) thereof, if applicable;

(F) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate from the transferor to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

(G) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate from the transferor to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Restricted Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Restricted Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Restricted Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Restricted Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(i) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

 

47


(ii) Beneficial Interests in Legended Regulation S Global Note to Definitive Notes . Notwithstanding Sections 2.06(c)(i)(A) and (C) hereof, a beneficial interest in the Legended Regulation S Global Note may not be exchanged for a Definitive Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note prior to (A) the expiration of the Restricted Period and (B) the receipt by the Registrar of a certificate from the transferor stating (x) that the transfer complies with Rule 903 and Rule 904 of the Securities Act; or (y) that the transfer is made pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 903 or Rule 904.

(iii) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note only if the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(b) thereof; or

(2) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case, if the Company so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

(iv) Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, then, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(ii) hereof, the Trustee will cause the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions an Unrestricted Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Unrestricted Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(iv) will be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest requests through instructions to the Registrar from or through the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee will deliver such Unrestricted Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Unrestricted Definitive Note

 

48


issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(iv) will not bear the Private Placement Legend.

(d) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests.

(i) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes. If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Restricted Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

(A) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(b) thereof;

(B) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate from the transferor to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(C) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate from the transferor to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

(D) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate from the transferor to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

(E) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to an Institutional Accredited Investor in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in subparagraphs (B) through (D) above, a certificate from the transferor to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3)(d) thereof, if applicable;

(F) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate from the transferor to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

(G) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate from the transferor to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

the Trustee will cancel the Restricted Definitive Note, increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of clause (A) above, the appropriate Restricted Global

 

49


Note, in the case of clause (B) above, the 144A Global Note, and in the case of clause (C) above, the Regulation S Global Note.

(ii) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(c) thereof; or

(2) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case, if the Company so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

Upon satisfaction of the conditions of this Section 2.06(d)(ii), the Trustee will cancel the Restricted Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.

(iii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Unrestricted Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee will cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes.

If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to subparagraphs (ii) or (iii) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee will authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Unrestricted Definitive Notes so transferred.

(e) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.06(e), the Registrar will register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder must present or surrender to the

 

50


Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder must provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.06(e).

(i) Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of a Person or Persons who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

(A) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 144A, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(B) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; and

(C) if the transfer will be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.

(ii) Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(d) thereof; or

(2) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case, if the Company so requests, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

(iii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery

 

51


thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.

(f) [Intentionally Omitted]

(g) Legends. The following legends will appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

(i) Private Placement Legend .

(A) Except as permitted by subparagraph (B) below, each Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:

THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS NOTE IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (C) IT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF REGULATION D UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) (AN “INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR”), (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT, WITHIN THE TIME PERIOD REFERRED TO IN RULE 144(k) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AFTER THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF THESE NOTES, RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS NOTE EXCEPT (A) TO SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES B.V. OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), (E) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR THAT, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISHES TO THE TRUSTEE A SIGNED LETTER CONTAINING CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE (THE FORM OF WHICH LETTER CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE TRUSTEE) AND IF SUCH TRANSFER IS IN RESPECT OF AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOTES OF LESS THAN $100,000 AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES B.V. THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES

 

52


THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS NOTE IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE WITHIN THE TIME PERIOD REFERRED TO IN RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AFTER THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF THESE NOTES, THE HOLDER MUST DELIVER THE CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER RELATING TO THE MANNER OF SUCH TRANSFER AND SUBMIT THIS CERTIFICATE TO THE TRUSTEE. IF THE PROPOSED TRANSFEREE IS AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, THE HOLDER MUST, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISH TO THE TRUSTEE AND SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES B.V. SUCH CERTIFICATIONS, LEGAL OPINIONS OR OTHER INFORMATION AS SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES B.V. MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS BEING MADE PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.

AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,” “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. THE INDENTURE CONTAINS A PROVISION REQUIRING THE TRUSTEE TO REFUSE TO REGISTER ANY TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE IN VIOLATION OF THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.

THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR DELIVERED TO ANYONE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD OTHER THAN TO PROFESSIONAL MARKET PARTIES (“PMP”) WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE DUTCH ACT ON THE FINANCIAL SUPERVISION, AS AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME (WET OP HET FINANCIEEL TOEZICHT).

EACH HOLDER OF NOTES, BY PURCHASING THE NOTES, WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED AND AGREED FOR THE BENEFIT OF SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES B.V. THAT (1) SUCH HOLDER IS A PMP AND IS ACQUIRING SUCH NOTES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A PMP, THAT (2) SUCH NOTES MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED TO ANYONE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD OTHER THAN TO A PMP ACQUIRING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A PMP AND THAT (3) THE HOLDER WILL PROVIDE NOTICE OF THE TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS DESCRIBED HEREIN TO ANY SUBSEQUENT TRANSFEREE.

(B) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraph (b)(iv), (c)(iii), (c)(iv), (d)(ii), (d)(iii), (e)(ii) or (e)(iii) of this Section 2.06 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) will not bear the Private Placement Legend.

(ii) Global Note Legend .

Each Global Note will bear a legend in substantially the following form:

 

53


THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (1) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE INDENTURE, (2) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (3) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (4) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY.

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”), 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 SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”

THE RIGHTS ATTACHING TO THIS GLOBAL NOTE, AND THE CONDITIONS AND PROCEDURES GOVERNING ITS EXCHANGE FOR CERTIFICATED NOTES, ARE AS SPECIFIED IN THE INDENTURE (AS DEFINED HEREIN).

(h) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note will be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note will be reduced accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Note by the Trustee, to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note will be increased

 

54


accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

(i) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges .

(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof.

(ii) No service charge will be made to a holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.10, 3.06, 4.10, 4.15 and 9.04 hereof).

(iii) The Registrar will not be required to register the transfer of or exchange of any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.

(iv) All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes will be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

(v) Neither the Registrar nor the Company will be required:

(A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Notes for redemption under Section 3.02 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of selection;

(B) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part; or

(C) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a record date and the next succeeding interest payment date.

(vi) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Company may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

(vii) The Trustee will authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02 hereof.

 

55


(viii) All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.06 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile.

(ix) Neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall have any obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any tax or securities laws with respect to any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law (including any transfers between or among Participants, Indirect Participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

Section 2.07 Replacement Notes .

If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Company will issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, will authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are met. If required by the Trustee or the Company, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Company may charge for their expenses in replacing a Note.

Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Company and will be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

Section 2.08 Outstanding Notes .

The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except (i) Notes theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; (ii) Notes for the payment or redemption of which money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside, segregated and held in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Notes; provided that, if such Notes are to be redeemed prior to the maturity thereof, written notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture, or provision satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made for giving such notice; and (iii) Notes in substitution for which other Notes shall have been authenticated and delivered, or which shall have been paid, pursuant to the terms of this Indenture (except with respect to any such Note as to which proof satisfactory to the Trustee is presented that such Note is held by a Person in whose hands such Note is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company). Except as set forth in Section 2.08 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note; however, Notes held by the

 

56


Company or a Subsidiary of the Company shall not be deemed to be outstanding for purposes of Section 9.02 hereof.

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee and the Registrar receive proof satisfactory each of them that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser.

If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds, on a redemption date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay all principal, premium and accrued interest with respect to the outstanding Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes will be deemed to be no longer outstanding and will cease to accrue interest.

Section 2.09 Treasury Notes .

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, request, waiver or consent in the exercise of any discretion, power or authority (whether contained in this Indenture or vested by operation of law) which the Trustee is required, expressly or impliedly, to exercise in or by reference to the interests of the Holders or any of them, Notes owned by the Company or any Guarantor, or by an Affiliate of the Company or any Guarantor, will be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee will be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee knows are so owned will be so disregarded.

Section 2.10 Temporary Notes .

Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, will authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes will be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as may be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Company will prepare and the Trustee will authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.

Holders of temporary Notes will be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.

Section 2.11 Cancellation .

 

57


The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent will forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else will cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and will dispose of such canceled Notes in its customary manner (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act). Certification of the destruction of all canceled Notes will be delivered to the Company. The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has redeemed, purchased or paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 2.12 Defaulted Interest .

If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it will pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Company will notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment. The Company will fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date; provided, that no such special record date may be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. At least 15 days before the special record date, the Company (or, upon the written request of the Company, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company) will mail or cause to be mailed to Holders a notice prepared by the Company that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

Section 2.13 CUSIP Numbers and ISIN Numbers .

The Company in issuing the Notes may use “CUSIP” numbers and “ISINs” (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers and “ISINs” in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers, either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers or “ISINs.”

ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

Section 3.01 Notices to Trustee .

If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.07 hereof, it must furnish to the Trustee, at least 30 days but not more

 

58


than 60 days before a redemption date (unless a shorter time is acceptable to the Trustee), an Officers’ Certificate setting forth:

(i) the clause of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur;

(ii) the redemption date;

(iii) the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed;

(iv) the redemption price;

(v) applicable CUSIP numbers; and

(vi) a statement that the conditions precedent to such redemption have been satisfied;

provided , however, that in the event the Trustee is required to select Notes in the event of a partial redemption pursuant to Section 3.02, the Company will deliver the Officers’ Certificate no later than 35 days before the relevant redemption date unless the Trustee consents to a shorter period.

Section 3.02 Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed .

If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee will select Notes for redemption as follows:

(i) if the Notes are listed on any national securities exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which the Notes are listed; or

(ii) if the Notes are not listed on any national securities exchange, on a pro rata basis to the extent practicable.

In the event of partial redemption or purchase by lot, the particular Notes to be redeemed or purchased will be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date by the Trustee from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption.

The Trustee will promptly notify the Company in writing of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption or purchase, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. No Notes in principal amounts equal to or less than the Minimum Dollar Denomination can be redeemed in part.

Section 3.03 Notice of Redemption .

 

59


(a) Except for redemption pursuant to Section 3.07(e), notices of redemption will be mailed by first-class mail at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at its registered address, except that (x) redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and (y) redemption notices may be mailed less than 30 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a redemption using the Net Proceeds of one or more Designated Asset Sales. Notices of redemption may not be conditional.

(b) If any Note is to be redeemed, the notice of redemption that relates to that Note will state:

(i) the clause of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur;

(ii) the redemption date;

(iii) the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed;

(iv) the redemption price;

(v) applicable CUSIP numbers;

(vi) a statement that the conditions precedent to such redemption have been satisfied.

(c) At the Company’s written request delivered at least 35 days prior to the redemption date unless the Trustee consents to a shorter period, the Trustee will give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense; in such event, the Company shall provide the Trustee with the information required by this Section.

Section 3.04 Effect of Notice of Redemption .

Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price and interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on the applicable redemption date unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price.

Section 3.05 Deposit of Redemption Price .

Prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Business Day prior to the redemption date, the Company will deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent, money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on all Notes to be redeemed on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent will promptly return to the Company any money

 

60


deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued interest on, all Notes to be redeemed following the redemption date.

If the Company complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption. If a Note is redeemed on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such record date. If any Note called for redemption is not so paid upon surrender for redemption because of the failure of the Company to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.

Section 3.06 Notes Redeemed in Part .

Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Company will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, the Trustee will authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Company a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered.

Section 3.07 Optional Redemption .

(a) At any time prior to May 15, 2014, the Company may, at its option, on one or more occasions redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes issued under this Indenture (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes, as the case may be), at a redemption price equal to 106.500% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the applicable redemption date, subject to the right of Holders on the record date to receive interest due on the interest payment date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings ( provided, that if the Equity Offering is an offering by any direct or indirect parent company of the Company, a portion of the net cash proceeds thereof equal to the amount required to redeem the Notes is contributed to the equity capital of the Company), or the Net Proceeds of one or more Designated Asset Sales; provided, however, that

(1) at least 50% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) must remain outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption (excluding in such calculation, Notes held by the Company or any of its Affiliates); and

(2) the redemption occurs within 90 days of the date of closing of such Equity Offering or Designated Asset Sale, as the case may be.

 

61


(b) Except pursuant to Section 3.07(a), (c), (d) or (e), the Notes will not be redeemable at the Company’s option prior to May 15, 2014; provided, however , the Company may acquire the Notes by means other than a redemption.

(c) On or after May 15, 2015, the Company may redeem all or a part of the Notes, at its option, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to be redeemed to the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the record date to receive interest due on the interest payment date), if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on May 15 of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2015

     103.250

2016

     101.625

2017 and thereafter

     100.000

(d) At any time prior to May 15, 2015, the Notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest to, the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the record date to receive interest due on the interest payment date).

(e) The Company may, at its option, redeem the Notes, in whole but not in part, at any time upon not less than 15 days’ nor more than 30 days’ notice to the Holders (which notice shall be irrevocable and given in accordance with Section 3.03 and Section 3.04), at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the redemption date, premium, if any, and all Additional Amounts, if any, then due and which will become due on the date of redemption as a result of the redemption or otherwise, if the Company determines in good faith that the Company or any Guarantor is, or on the next date on which any amount would be payable in respect of the Notes, would be obligated to pay Additional Amounts in respect of the Notes pursuant to the terms and conditions thereof, which the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, cannot avoid by the use of reasonable measures available to it (including, without limitation, making payment through a Paying Agent located in another jurisdiction), as a result of:

(1) any change in, or amendment to, the laws (or any regulations or rulings promulgated thereunder) of any Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction affecting taxation which becomes effective on or after the Issue Date or, in the case of a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction that arises after the Issue Date, the date on which such Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction became a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction under this Indenture (or, in the case of a successor Person, after the date of assumption by the successor person of the obligations thereunder); or

(2) any change in the official application, administration, or interpretation of the laws, regulations or rulings of any Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction (including a

 

62


holding, judgment, or order by a court of competent jurisdiction), on or after the Issue Date or, in the case of a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction has changed since the Issue Date, the date on which such Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction became a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction under this Indenture (or, in the case of a successor Person, after the date of assumption by the successor person of the obligations thereunder) (each of the foregoing clauses (1) and (2), a “Change in Tax Law” ).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may not redeem the Notes under this provision if a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction changes under this Indenture and the Company is obligated to pay Additional Amounts as a result of a Change in Tax Law of such Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction which was officially announced at the time the latter became a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction.

In the case of a Guarantor that becomes a party to this Indenture after the Issue Date or a successor Person (including a surviving entity), the Change in Tax Law must become effective after the date that such entity (or another Person organized or resident in the same jurisdiction) first makes a payment on the Notes. In the case of Additional Amounts required to be paid as a result of the Company conducting business in an Additional Taxing Jurisdiction, the Change in Tax Law must become effective after the date the Company begins to conduct the business giving rise to the withholding or deduction.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such notice of redemption will be given (a) earlier than 90 days prior to the earliest date on which the Company or any Guarantor, would be obliged to make such payment of Additional Amounts or withholding if a payment in respect of the Notes or the relevant Guarantee, as the case may be, were then due and (b) unless at the time such notice is given, the obligation to pay Additional Amounts remains in effect.

Prior to the mailing of any notice of redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07(e), the Company will deliver to each Trustee:

(1) an Officers’ Certificate stating that the Company is entitled to effect such redemption and setting forth a statement of facts showing that the conditions precedent to the right of the Company so to redeem have occurred (including that such obligation to pay such Additional Amounts cannot be avoided by the Company or any Guarantor or surviving entity taking reasonable measures available to it); and

(2) a written opinion of independent tax advisers of recognized standing qualified under the laws of the Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction and reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee to the effect that the Company or a Guarantor or surviving entity, as the case may be, is or would be obligated to pay such Additional Amounts as a result of a Change in Tax Law.

The foregoing provisions shall apply mutatis mutandis to any successor Person, after such successor Person becomes a party to this Indenture, with respect to a Change in Tax Law occurring after the time such successor Person becomes a party to this Indenture.

 

63


(f) Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.

Section 3.08 Mandatory Redemption .

The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

ARTICLE 4

COVENANTS

Section 4.01 Payment of Notes .

(a) The Company will pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and interest will be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the Business Day prior to the due date money deposited by the Company in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal of, premium, if any, and interest then due.

The Company will pay interest on overdue principal at the rate specified therefor in the Notes, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate borne by the Notes to the extent lawful.

(b) (i) All payments that the Company makes under or with respect to the Notes and that any Guarantor makes under or with respect to any Guarantee will be made free and clear of and without withholding or deduction for or on account of any present or future tax, duty, levy, impost, assessment or other governmental charges (including, without limitation, penalties, interest and other similar liabilities related thereto) of whatever nature (collectively, “ Taxes ”) imposed or levied by or on behalf of the United States any jurisdiction in which the Company or any Guarantor is incorporated, organized or otherwise resident for tax purposes or from or through which any of the foregoing makes any payment on the Notes or by or within any department or political subdivision or governmental authority or in any of the foregoing having the power to tax (each, a “ Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction ”), unless withholding or deduction is then required by law or by the interpretation or administration of law. If the Company or any Guarantor is required to withhold or deduct any amount for or on account of Taxes of a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction from any payment made under or with respect to the Notes, the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall pay additional amounts ( Additional Amounts ”) as may be necessary to ensure that the net amount received by each Holder or beneficial owner of the Notes (including Additional Amounts) after such withholding or deduction will be not less than the amount the Holder or beneficial owner would have received if such Taxes had not been required to be withheld or deducted. If the Company or any Guarantor conducts business in any jurisdiction (an “ Additional Taxing Jurisdiction ”) other than a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction and, as a result, is required by the law of such Additional Taxing Jurisdiction to withhold or deduct

 

64


any amount on account of the Taxes imposed by such Additional Taxing Jurisdiction from payment under the Notes or the Guarantees, as the case may be, which would not have been required to be so withheld or deducted but for such conduct of business in such Additional Taxing Jurisdiction, the Additional Amounts provision described above shall be considered to apply as if references in such provision to “Taxes” included taxes imposed by way of withholding or deduction by any such Additional Taxing Jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof or therein).

(ii) Neither the Company nor any Guarantor shall, however, pay Additional Amounts to a Holder or beneficial owner of Notes in respect or on account of:

(A) any Taxes that would not have been imposed or levied by a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction but for the Holder’s or beneficial owner’s present or former connection with such Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction (other than the mere receipt or holding of Notes or by reason of the receipt of payments thereunder or the exercise or enforcement of rights under any Notes, this Indenture or any Guarantee);

(B) any Taxes that are imposed or withheld by reason of the failure of the Holder or Beneficial Owner, following the Company’s written request addressed to the Holder (and made at a time that would enable the Holder or beneficial owner acting reasonably to comply with that request) to comply with any certification or identification requirements, whether required or imposed by statute, regulation or administrative practice of a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction, as a precondition to exemption from, or reduction in the rate of deduction or withholding of, Taxes imposed by the Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction (including, without limitation, a certification that the Holder or beneficial owner is not resident in the Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction);

(C) any estate, inheritance, gift, sales, transfer, personal property or similar Taxes;

(D) any Tax which is payable otherwise than by deduction or withholding from payments made under or with respect to the Notes;

(E) any Tax imposed on or with respect to any payment by the Company or a Guarantor to the Holder if such Holder is a fiduciary or partnership or person other than the sole beneficial owner of such payment to the extent that Taxes would not have been imposed on such payment had the beneficiary, partner or other beneficial owner directly held the Note;

(F) any Tax that is imposed or levied by reason of the presentation (where presentation is required in order to receive payment) of the Notes for payment on a date more than 30 days after the date on which such payment became due and payable or the date on which payment thereof is duly provided for, whichever is later, except to the extent that the Beneficial Owner or Holder thereof would have been entitled to Additional Amounts had the Notes been presented for payment on any date during such 30 day period;

(G) any withholding or deduction in respect of any Taxes where such withholding or deduction is imposed or levied on a payment to an individual and is required to be made

 

65


pursuant to European Council Directive 2003/48/EC or any other Directive implementing the conclusions of the ECOFIN Council meeting of 26-27 November 2000 on the taxation of savings income or any law implementing or complying with, or introduced in order to conform to, such Directive; or

(H) any Tax that is imposed or levied on or with respect to a Note presented for payment on behalf of a Holder or beneficial owner who would have been able to avoid such withholding or deduction by presenting the Note to another Paying Agent in a member state of the European Union.

(iii) The Company and each Guarantor shall (A) make such withholding or deduction required by applicable law and (B) remit the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant taxing authority in accordance with applicable law.

(iv) At least 30 calendar days prior to each date on which any payment under or with respect to the Notes is due and payable, if the Company and any Guarantor shall be obligated to pay Additional Amounts with respect to such payment (unless such obligation to pay Additional Amounts arises after the 30th day prior to the date on which payment under or with respect to the Notes is due and payable, in which case it will be promptly thereafter), the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Additional Amounts will be payable and the amounts so payable and shall set forth such other information (other than the identities of Holders and beneficial owners) necessary to enable the Trustee or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, to pay such Additional Amounts to Holders and beneficial owners on the payment date. The Company shall provide the Trustee with documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee evidencing payment of such Additional Amounts.

(v) Upon request, the Company or the relevant Guarantor shall furnish to each Trustee or a Holder within a reasonable time certified copies of tax receipts evidencing the payment by the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, of any Taxes imposed or levied by a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction. If, notwithstanding the reasonable best efforts of the Company or such Guarantor to obtain such receipts, the same are not obtainable, then the Company or such Guarantor shall provide such Holder with other evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee or Holder of such payment by the Company or such Guarantor.

(vi) The Company and each Guarantor shall pay (A) any present or future stamp, issue, registration, court documentation, excise or property taxes or other similar taxes, charges and duties, including interest and penalties with respect thereto, imposed by any Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction in respect of the execution, issue, delivery or registration of the Notes, any Guarantee or this Indenture or any other document or instrument referred to hereunder and any such taxes, charges, duties or similar levies imposed by any jurisdiction as a result of, or in connection with, the enforcement of the Notes, such Guarantee or this Indenture or any such other document or instrument following the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to the Notes, and (B) any stamp, court, or documentary taxes (or similar charges or levies) imposed with respect to the receipt of any payments with respect to the Notes or such Guarantee. Neither the Company nor any Guarantor shall, however, pay such amounts that are imposed on or result from a sale or other transfer or disposition by a Holder or Beneficial Owner.

 

66


(vii) This Section 4.01(b) shall survive any termination, defeasance or discharge of this Indenture and shall apply mutatis mutandis to any jurisdiction in which any successor Person to the Company or any Guarantor is organized, incorporated or otherwise resident for tax purposes and any political subdivision or taxing authority or agency thereof or therein.

Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency .

The Company will maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served (other than the type contemplated by Section 12.09). The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company fails to maintain any such required office or agency or fails to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

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

The Company hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof.

Section 4.03 Reports .

(a) The Company will furnish to the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes in the manner specified below:

(i) within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year ending December 31, an annual report of the Company containing substantially all the financial information that would have been required to be contained in an annual report on Form 10-K under the Exchange Act if the Company had been a reporting company under the Exchange Act, including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section and a report on the annual financial statements by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm; provided that such annual report will not be required to contain information required by Items 9A (controls and procedures),

 

67


10 (directors, executive officers and corporate governance) and 11 (executive compensation) of Form 10-K;

(ii) within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year, quarterly reports of the Company containing substantially all the financial information that would have been required to be contained in a quarterly report on Form 10-Q under the Exchange Act if the Company had been a reporting company under the Exchange Act, including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section and unaudited quarterly financial statements reviewed pursuant to Statement on Auditing Standards No. 100 (or any successor provision); provided that such quarterly report shall not be required to contain the information required by Part I, Item 4 of Form 10-Q (controls and procedures); and

(iii) within ten Business Days after the occurrence of each event that would have been required to be reported in a current report on Form 8-K under the Exchange Act if the Company had been a reporting company under the Exchange Act, current reports containing substantially all the information that would have been required to be contained in a current report on Form 8-K under the Exchange Act pursuant to Sections 1, 2 (other than Item 2.02) and 4 and Items 5.01, 5.02 (other than any compensation-related information) and 5.03 of Form 8-K if the Company had been a reporting company under the Exchange Act; provided , however , that no such current report will be required to (i) be furnished if the Company determines in its good faith judgment that such event is not material to Holders or the business, assets, operations, financial positions or prospects of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or if the Company determines in its good faith judgment that such disclosure would otherwise cause material competitive harm to the business, assets, operations, financial position or prospects of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; provided that such non-disclosure shall be limited only to those specific provisions that would cause material competitive harm and not the occurrence of the event itself or (ii) contain financial statements or pro forma financial statements.

(b) None of the reports referenced in Section 4.03(a) will be required to comply with Section 302 or Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or related Items 307 and 308 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the Commission, or Item 302 of Regulation S-K or Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K (with respect to any non-GAAP financial measures contained therein) or Item 601 of Regulation S-K (with respect to exhibits), in each case, as in effect on the date of this Indenture, and will not be required to contain the separate financial information for Guarantors contemplated by Rule 3-10 or Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the Commission.

(c) To the extent not satisfied by Section 4.03(a), for so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Company will furnish to Holders and to securities analysts and prospective purchasers of the Notes, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act. The requirements set forth in this Section 4.03(c) and Section 4.03(b) may be satisfied by (i) delivering such information electronically to the Trustee and (ii) posting copies of such information on a website (which may be nonpublic and may be maintained by the Company or a third party) to which access will be given to Holders and

 

68


prospective purchasers of the Notes (which prospective purchasers will be limited to “qualified institutional buyers” within the meaning of Rule 144A of the Securities Act or non-U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) that certify their status as such to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company and who acknowledge the confidentiality of the information.

(d) Notwithstanding Section 4.03(a) through (c), at all times that either the Company or Parent is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the reporting requirements of this Section 4.03 shall be satisfied through the filing with the Commission within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and regulations that are then applicable to the Company or Parent, as applicable, all the reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K that either the Company or Parent, as applicable, is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, in each case in a manner that complies in all material respects with the requirements specified in the applicable forms promulgated by the Commission.

(e) In the event that the reporting obligation of this Section 4.03 are satisfied through the reports of Parent in accordance with Section 4.03(d) and the Parent or any other direct or indirect parent company of the Company holds any material assets other than cash, Cash Equivalents and the Capital Stock of the Company or any other direct or indirect parent of the Company (and performs the related incidental activities associated with such ownership), then the reports of Parent referenced in Section 4.03(d) shall be accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to Parent and such other parent companies, on the one hand, and the information relating to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a stand alone basis, on the other hand.

(f) If the Company has designated any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries and such Unrestricted Subsidiaries, either individually or collectively, would otherwise have been a Significant Subsidiary, then the annual and quarterly financial information required by Section 4.03(e) shall include a reasonably detailed presentation, as determined in good faith by Senior Management, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes to the financial statements and in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section, of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

(g) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company will not be deemed to have failed to comply with any of its obligations hereunder for purposes of Section 6.01(iii) until 90 days after the date any report hereunder is due.

(h) Delivery of the above reports to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such reports shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including compliance by the Company, any Guarantor or any Subsidiary with any of its covenants in this Indenture (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on an Officers’ Certificate) or any other agreement or document. The Trustee shall have no obligation to determine if and when the Company has satisfied its reporting obligations under this Section 4.03 pursuant to

 

69


Section 4.03(d) or Section 4.03(e). The Company shall (i) provide the Trustee with prompt written notification at such time that the Company commences or ceases to satisfy its reporting obligation under Section 4.03 through the reports of the Company or Parent, as applicable, in accordance with Section 4.03(d) or (ii) provide the Trustee and the Holders the information set forth in this Section 4.03(a)

Section 4.04 Compliance Certificate .

(a) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company ending December 31 an Officers’ Certificate stating that in the course of the performance by the signers of their duties as Officers of the Company they would normally have knowledge of any Default and whether or not the signers know of any Default that occurred during such period. If they do, the certificate shall describe the Default, its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto. The Company also shall comply with Section 314(a)(4) of the TIA.

(b) So long as any of the Notes are outstanding, the Company will deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon any Officer becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

Section 4.05 Corporate Existence .

Except as otherwise permitted by Article 5, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence in accordance with its organizational documents.

Section 4.06 Limitation on Layering .

The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, incur any Indebtedness that is or purports to be by its terms (or by the terms of any agreement governing such Indebtedness) contractually subordinated or junior in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company or such Guarantor unless such Indebtedness is subordinate or junior in right of payment to the Notes or such Guarantor’s Guarantee of the Notes, as the case may be, to the same extent. For purposes of the foregoing, no Indebtedness will be deemed to be subordinated or junior in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor, as applicable, solely by reason of any Liens or Guarantees arising or created in respect thereof or by virtue of the fact that the holders of any Secured Indebtedness have entered into intercreditor agreements giving one or more of such holders priority over the other holders in the collateral held by them.

 

70


Section 4.07 Restricted Payments .

(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

(i) declare or pay any dividend or make any other distribution on account of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests, including any dividend or distribution payable in connection with any merger or consolidation (other than (A) dividends or distributions by the Company payable in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company (B) dividends or distributions by a Restricted Subsidiary payable solely to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary or (C), in the case of any dividend or distribution payable on or in respect of any class or series of securities issued by a Restricted Subsidiary other than a Wholly Owned Subsidiary, pro rata dividends or distributions to minority stockholders of such Restricted Subsidiary (or owners of an equivalent interest in the case of a Subsidiary that is an entity other than a corporation) provided, that the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary receives at least its pro rata share of such dividend or distribution in accordance with its Equity Interests in such class or series of securities);

(ii) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent entity of the Company held by any Person (other than by a Restricted Subsidiary), including in connection with any merger or consolidation;

(iii) make any principal payment on, or redeem, repurchase, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, in each case prior to any scheduled repayment, sinking fund payment or maturity, any Subordinated Indebtedness (other than (x) Indebtedness permitted under Sections 4.09(b)(vii) and (viii) or intercompany Indebtedness existing on the Issue Date or (y) the purchase, repurchase or other acquisition or retirement of Subordinated Indebtedness purchased in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of purchase, repurchase, acquisition or retirement); or

(iv) make any Restricted Investment (all such payments and other actions set forth in these clauses (i) through (iv) being collectively referred to as “ Restricted Payments ”).

(b) Section 4.07(a) shall not apply if, at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment:

(i) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a consequence of such Restricted Payment;

(ii) the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, have been permitted to incur at least

 

71


$1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a); and

(iii) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), (vii), (ix), (x), (xi), (xii), (xiv) and (xv) of Section 4.07(c)), is less than the sum, without duplication, of

 

  (A) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for the period (taken as one accounting period) from March 31, 2011 to the end of the Company’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment (or, in the case such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit), plus

 

  (B) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds and the fair market value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, of property and marketable securities received by the Company after the Issue Date from the issue or sale of (x) Equity Interests of the Company (including a resale of Retired Capital Stock (as defined below) but excluding (1) cash proceeds received from the sale of Equity Interests of the Company and, to the extent actually contributed to the Company, Equity Interests of the Company’s direct or indirect parent companies to members of management, directors or consultants of the Company, any direct or indirect parent company of the Company and the Subsidiaries of the Company after the Issue Date to the extent such amounts have been applied to Restricted Payments made in accordance with Section 4.07(c)(iv), (2) cash proceeds received from the sale of Refunding Capital Stock (as defined below) to the extent such amounts have been applied to Restricted Payments made in accordance with Section 4.07(c)(ii), (3) Designated Preferred Stock, (4) the Cash Contribution Amount, (5) Excluded Contributions and (6) Disqualified Stock) or (y) debt securities of the Company that have been converted into such Equity Interests of the Company (other than Refunding Capital Stock or Equity Interests or convertible debt securities of the Company sold to a Restricted Subsidiary or the Company, as the case may be, and other than Disqualified Stock or Designated Preferred Stock or debt securities that have been converted into Disqualified Stock or Designated Preferred Stock), plus

 

  (C)

100% of the aggregate amount of cash and the fair market value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, of property and marketable securities contributed to the capital of the Company after the Issue Date (other than (1) by a Restricted Subsidiary, (2) any Excluded Contributions, (3) any Disqualified Stock, (4) any Refunding Capital Stock, (5) any Designated Preferred Stock, (6) the

 

72


 

Cash Contribution Amount and (7) cash proceeds applied to Restricted Payments made in accordance with Section 4.07(c)(iv), plus

 

  (D) without duplication of any amounts included in Section 4.07(c)(iv) and to the extent not already included in Consolidated Net Income, 100% of the aggregate amount received in cash and the fair market value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, of property and marketable securities received after the Issue Date by means of (1) the sale or other disposition (other than to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) of Restricted Investments made by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries and repurchases and redemptions of such Restricted Investments from the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries and repayments of loans or advances which constitute Restricted Investments of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries or (2) the sale (other than to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) of the Capital Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or a distribution from an Unrestricted Subsidiary (other than in each case to the extent the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary was made by a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 4.07(c)(x) or to the extent such Investment constituted a Permitted Investment) or a dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary, plus

 

  (E) in the case of the redesignation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or the merger or consolidation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or the transfer of assets of an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, the fair market value of the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith at the time of the redesignation of such Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or at the time of such merger, consolidation or transfer of assets (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary was made by a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 4.07(c)(x) or to the extent such Investment constituted a Permitted Investment), plus

 

  (F) $100.0 million.

(c) The provisions in Sections 4.07(a) and (b) will not prohibit:

(i) the payment of any dividend or other distribution or consummation of any irrevocable redemption within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, or the giving of the irrevocable redemption notice, as applicable, if at the date of declaration or notice such payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;

(ii) (A) the redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of any Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent company of the Company (“ Retired Capital Stock ”) or Indebtedness subordinated to the Notes in

 

73


exchange for or out of the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary or the Company) of Equity Interests of the Company or contributions to the equity capital of the Company (in each case, other than Disqualified Stock and the Cash Contribution Amount) (“ Refunding Capital Stock ”) and (B) the declaration and payment of dividends on the Retired Capital Stock out of the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company or to an employee stock ownership plan or any trust established by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) of Refunding Capital Stock;

(iii) the redemption, repurchase, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of Indebtedness subordinated to the Notes made in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, new Indebtedness of the borrower thereof which is incurred in compliance with Section 4.09 so long as (A) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such new Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of (or accreted value, if applicable), plus any accrued and unpaid interest on, the Indebtedness subordinated to the Notes being so redeemed, repurchased, acquired or retired for value plus related fees and expenses and the amount of any reasonable premium required to be paid under the terms of the instrument governing the Indebtedness subordinated to the Notes being so redeemed, repurchased, acquired or retired, (B) such new Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes and any Guarantees thereof at least to the same extent as such Indebtedness subordinated to such Notes so purchased, exchanged, redeemed, repurchased, defeased, acquired or retired for value, (C) such new Indebtedness has a final scheduled maturity date equal to or later than the final scheduled maturity date of the Indebtedness subordinated to such Notes being so redeemed, repurchased, defeased, acquired or retired and (D) such new Indebtedness has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Indebtedness subordinated to such Notes being so redeemed, repurchased, acquired or retired;

(iv) a Restricted Payment to pay for the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition, cancellation or retirement for value of Equity Interests of the Company or any of its direct or indirect parent companies held by any future, present or former employee, director or consultant of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its direct or indirect parent companies (or their permitted transferees, assigns, estates or heirs) pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan, agreement or arrangement, provided, however , that the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments made under this clause (iv) does not exceed in any calendar year $10.0 million (with unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to succeeding calendar years); and provided, further that such amount in any calendar year may be increased by an amount not to exceed (A) the cash proceeds from the sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company and, to the extent contributed to the Company, Equity Interests of any of its direct or indirect parent companies, in each case to members of management, directors or consultants of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its direct or indirect parent companies that occurs after the Issue Date plus (B) the cash proceeds of “key man” life insurance policies received by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date ( provided, that the Company may elect to apply all or any portion of the aggregate

 

74


increase contemplated by clauses (A) and (B) above in any calendar year) less (C) the amount of any Restricted Payments previously made pursuant to clauses (A) and (B) of this clause (iv); and provided further that cancellation of Indebtedness owing to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from members of management of the Company, any of the Company’s direct or indirect parent companies or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries in connection with a repurchase of Equity Interests of the Company or any of its direct or indirect parent companies will not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this Section 4.07 or any other provision of this Indenture;

(v) the declaration and payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary issued or incurred in accordance with this covenant to the extent such dividends are included in the definition of Fixed Charges for such entity;

(vi) (a) the declaration and payment of dividends or distributions to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) issued after the Issue Date or (b) the declaration and payment of dividends to any direct or indirect parent company of the Company the proceeds of which will be used to fund the payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of any direct or indirect parent company of the Company issued after the Issue Date; provided, however , that in the case of each of (a) and (b) of this clause (vi), for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date of issuance of such Designated Preferred Stock, after giving effect to such issuance (and the payment of dividends or distributions thereon) on a pro forma basis, the Company would have had a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio equal to or greater than 2.0 to 1 and, in the case of (b) of this clause (vi), the aggregate amount of dividends declared and paid does not exceed the net cash proceeds actually received by the Company from any such sale of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) issued after the Issue Date;

(vii) repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options or warrants or similar stock-based instruments if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options or warrants or similar stock-based instruments or in connection with a gross-up or tax withholding related to such Equity Interests;

(viii) the declaration and payment of dividends to, or the making of loans to, a direct or indirect parent company of the Company, up to a maximum of $25.0 million per annum for the purpose of enabling the Parent to declare and pay dividends on its common stock;

(ix) Restricted Payments that are made with Excluded Contributions;

(x) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $125.0 million;

 

75


(xi) cash dividends or other distributions on the Company’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s Capital Stock used to, or the making of loans, the proceeds of which will be used to, fund the payment of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the offering of the Notes, in each case to the extent permitted (to the extent applicable) by Section 4.11;

(xii) distributions or payments of Securitization Fees and purchases of Securitization Assets pursuant to a Securitization Repurchase Obligation in connection with a Qualified Securitization Financing;

(xiii) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Subordinated Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock pursuant to provisions similar to those described under Section 4.10 and Section 4.15; provided, that a Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer, as applicable, has been made and all the Notes tendered by the Holders in connection with a Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer, as applicable, have been repurchased, redeemed or acquired for value;

(xiv) the declaration and payment of dividends to, or the making of loans to, a direct or indirect parent company of the Company in amounts required for such Person to pay, without duplication:

 

  (A) franchise taxes and other fees, taxes and expenses required to maintain its corporate existence;

 

  (B) foreign, federal, state and local income taxes to the extent such income taxes are attributable to the income of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries and, to the extent of the amount actually received from the Unrestricted Subsidiaries, in amounts required to pay such taxes to the extent attributable to the income of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries, provided, however , that in each case the amount of such payments in any fiscal year does not exceed the amount of foreign, federal, state and local income taxes that the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries would be required to pay for such fiscal year were the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries to pay such taxes as a stand-alone taxpayer, taking into account net loss carryforwards and other tax attributes from prior taxable periods;

 

  (C) customary salary, bonus, severance, indemnification obligations and other benefits payable to, and indemnities provided on behalf of, directors, officers and employees of such direct or indirect parent company of the Company to the extent such salaries, bonuses, severance, indemnification obligations and other benefits are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

76


  (D) general corporate overhead and operating expenses for such direct or indirect parent company of the Company (including any expenses associated with operating as a public company), in each case to the extent such expenses are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

  (E) fees and expenses incurred in connection with any unsuccessful debt or equity offering or other financing transaction by such direct or indirect parent company of the Company; and

 

  (F) its obligations under the Advisory Agreement or Shareholders Agreements (as in effect on the Issue Date);

(xv) cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares in connection with the exercise of warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock of the Company or any direct or indirect parent company of the Company; provided, however , that any such cash payment shall be bona fide and in good faith and shall not be for the purpose of evading the limitation of the covenant described under this subheading (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company);

(xvi) the declaration or payment of Restricted Payments that are made with the proceeds of Designated Asset Sales; provided, however , that any such Restricted Payments made other than pursuant to clause (y) of the definition of “Designated Asset Sales” shall not exceed $200.0 million in the aggregate;

(xvii) the dividend or distribution of a Restricted Investment consisting of shares of Capital Stock of, or Indebtedness owed to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary by, Unrestricted Subsidiaries (other than Unrestricted Subsidiaries, the primary assets of which are cash and/or Cash Equivalents) to the extent such Restricted Investment was included in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments; and

(xviii) the repurchase, redemption or other repayment of any 9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2016 of the Company that remain outstanding after the Issue Date.

provided, however, that at the time of, and after giving effect to, any Restricted Payment permitted under clauses (viii), (x) or (xvi) above, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof.

(d) For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.07, in the event that a Restricted Payment meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Restricted Payments described in clauses (i) through (xviii) in Section 4.07(c), or is permitted pursuant to Section 4.07(b), the Company will be entitled to classify such Restricted Payment (or portion thereof) on the date of its payment or later reclassify such Restricted Payment (or portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this covenant.

 

77


(e) The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) will be the fair market value on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be transferred or issued by the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment. The fair market value of any assets or securities that are required to be valued by this covenant will be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company. Such determination must be based upon an opinion or appraisal issued by an Independent Financial Advisor if the fair market value exceeds $50.0 million.

(f) The Company shall not permit any Unrestricted Subsidiary to become a Restricted Subsidiary except pursuant to the second to last sentence of the definition of Unrestricted Subsidiary. For purposes of designating any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, all outstanding Investments by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries (except to the extent repaid) in the Subsidiary so designated shall be deemed to be Restricted Payments in an amount determined as set forth in the second paragraph of the definition of Investments. Such designation will be permitted only if a Restricted Payment in such amount would be permitted at such time under this Section or the definition of Permitted Investments and if such Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

(g) For the avoidance of doubt, any dividend or distribution otherwise permitted pursuant to this Section may be in the form of a loan.

Section 4.08 Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries .

(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any such Restricted Subsidiary to:

(i) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or pay any Indebtedness owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(ii) make loans or advances to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or

(iii) sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

(b) The restrictions in Section 4.08(a) hereof will not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

(i) contractual encumbrances or restrictions in effect (x) pursuant to or required by the Credit Agreement or related documents as in effect on the Issue Date or (y) on the Issue Date, including, without limitation, pursuant to Existing Indebtedness and related documentation;

 

78


(ii) this Indenture, the Notes and the related Guarantees;

(iii) purchase money obligations or other obligations described in Section 4.09(b)(iv) for property acquired in the ordinary course of business that in each case impose restrictions of the nature discussed in Section 4.08(a)(iii) on the property so acquired;

(iv) applicable law or any applicable rule, regulation or order;

(v) any agreement or other instrument of a Person acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in existence at the time of such acquisition (but not created in connection therewith or in contemplation thereof or to provide all or a portion of the funds or credit support utilized to consummate such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired;

(vi) contracts for the sale of assets, including, without limitation, customary restrictions with respect to a Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement that has been entered into for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock or assets of such Subsidiary;

(vii) Secured Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09 and Section 4.12;

(viii) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(ix) Indebtedness or Preferred Stock of the Company or any Guarantor, in each case, that is incurred subsequent to the Issue Date pursuant to Section 4.09 or Indebtedness or Preferred Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is incurred subsequent to the Issue Date pursuant to clauses (ix), (xii), (xiii) and (xxii);

(x) customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(xi) nonassignment provisions contained in leases, subleases, licenses or asset sale agreements and other agreements to the extent such provisions restrict the transfer of the property or assets subject to such agreements;

(xii) any encumbrances or restrictions of the type referred to in Section 4.08(a) (i), (ii) and (iii) imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in this Section 4.08(b)(i) through (xi); provided, that the encumbrances or restrictions imposed by such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Company’s Board of Directors, not materially less favorable to the Holders than encumbrances and restrictions contained in such predecessor agreements and do not materially affect the Company’s

 

79


and Guarantors’ ability, taken as a whole, to make payments of interest and scheduled payments of principal in respect of such Notes, in each case, as and when due; provided further, however, that with respect to agreements existing on the Issue Date, any refinancings or amendments thereof contain such encumbrances or restrictions that are not materially less favorable to the Holders than the encumbrances or restrictions contained in such agreements as in effect on the Issue Date; and

(xiii) Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(xvii) and (xviii).

Section 4.09 Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock .

(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively “incur” ) any Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any shares of Preferred Stock; provided, however, that the Company and any Guarantor may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) and any Guarantor may issue Preferred Stock if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company for its most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Preferred Stock is issued would have been equal to or greater than 2.0 to 1 determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred or the Preferred Stock had been issued, as the case may be, and the application of proceeds therefrom had occurred at the beginning of such four-quarter period.

(b) The provisions of Section 4.09(a) will not prohibit the incurrence of any of the following (collectively, “ Permitted Debt ”):

(i) the incurrence by the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement together with the incurrence by the Company and any Restricted Subsidiaries of the guarantees thereunder and the issuance and creation of letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances thereunder (with letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the face amount thereof), up to an aggregate principal amount equal to the greater of (1) $1,700.0 million outstanding at any one time and (2) the greater of (A) Secured Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the maximum principal amount of Secured Indebtedness that would not cause the Net Secured Indebtedness Leverage Ratio of the Company to exceed 4.0 to 1.0; provided that such aggregate principal amount shall in no event exceed $2,450.0 million outstanding at any one time; and (B) Secured Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the maximum principal amount of Secured Indebtedness that would cause the Gross Secured Indebtedness Leverage Ratio of the Company to exceed 3.5 to 1;

 

80


(ii) the incurrence by the Company and the Guarantors of Indebtedness represented by the Notes (including any Guarantee thereof) (other than any Additional Notes);

(iii) Existing Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness described in Section 4.09(b)(i) or (ii));

(iv) Indebtedness (including Capitalized Lease Obligations) incurred by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to finance the purchase, lease or improvement of property (real or personal) or equipment that is used or useful in a Permitted Business (whether through the direct purchase of assets or the Capital Stock of any Person owning such assets) in an aggregate principal amount that, when aggregated with the principal amount of all other Indebtedness then outstanding and incurred pursuant to this clause (iv), does not exceed the greater of (x) $75.0 million and (y) an amount equal to 3.5% of Consolidated Total Assets as of the end of the Company’s most recently concluded fiscal quarter for which a balance sheet is available;

(v) Indebtedness incurred by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business, bank guarantees, workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance obligations, bankers’ acceptances, guarantees, statutory, export or import indemnities, customs, revenue bonds or similar instruments (in each case other than for an obligation for money borrowed); provided, however, that upon the drawing of any such other letters of credit or the incurrence of such Indebtedness, such obligations are reimbursed within 30 days following such drawing or incurrence;

(vi) Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price, earn-outs or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition or acquisition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or a Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition; provided, however, that the maximum assumable liability in respect of all such Indebtedness shall at no time exceed the gross proceeds including noncash proceeds (the fair market value of such noncash proceeds being measured at the time received and without giving effect to any subsequent changes in value) actually received by the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with such disposition;

(vii) Indebtedness of the Company owed to and held by any Restricted Subsidiary or Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary owed to and held by the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that (A) any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event that results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute the incurrence of such Indebtedness by the issuer thereof and (B) if the Company or a Guarantor is the obligor on such Indebtedness, such Indebtedness

 

81


(except in respect of intercompany current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with cash management, tax and accounting operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries) is expressly subordinated in right of payment to all obligations of the Company or such Guarantor with respect to the Notes;

(viii) shares of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary issued to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such shares of Preferred Stock (except to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed in each case to be an issuance of such shares of Preferred Stock;

(ix) Hedging Obligations of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (excluding Hedging Obligations entered into for speculative purposes);

(x) obligations in respect of performance, bid, appeal and surety bonds and other similar types of bonds and performance and completion guarantees provided by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or obligations in respect of letters of credit related thereto, in each case in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(xi) Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor or Preferred Stock of any Guarantor not otherwise permitted hereunder in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference which, when aggregated with the principal amount and liquidation preference of all other Indebtedness and Preferred Stock then outstanding and incurred pursuant to this clause (xi), does not at any one time outstanding exceed $200.0 million (it being understood that any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (xi) shall cease to be deemed incurred or outstanding for purposes of this clause (xi) but shall be deemed incurred for purposes of this Section 4.09 from and after the first date on which the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, could have incurred such Indebtedness under Section 4.09(a) without reliance upon this clause (xi);

(xii) (x) any guarantee by the Company or a Guarantor of Indebtedness or other obligations of any Restricted Subsidiary so long as the incurrence of such Indebtedness incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary is permitted under the terms of this Indenture; provided, that if such Indebtedness is by its express terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary, any such guarantee of the Company or such Guarantor with respect to such Indebtedness shall be subordinated in right of payment to such Notes and such Guarantor’s Guarantee with respect to such Notes substantially to the same extent as such Indebtedness is subordinated to such Notes or the Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, (y) any guarantee by a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor of Indebtedness of another Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor incurred in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, and (z) any guarantee by a Guarantor of Indebtedness of the Company incurred in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;

 

82


(xiii) the incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness or Preferred Stock that serves to refund or refinance any Indebtedness incurred as permitted under Section 4.09(a) and clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) of this Section 4.09(b), this clause (xiii) and clauses (xiv) and (xxi) of this Section 4.09(b) or any Indebtedness issued to so refund or refinance such Indebtedness including additional Indebtedness incurred to pay premiums (including reasonable tender premiums), defeasance or discharge costs, accrued interest and fees and expenses in connection therewith (the “Refinancing Indebtedness” ) prior to its respective maturity; provided, however, that such Refinancing Indebtedness (A) has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred which is not less than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Indebtedness being refunded, refinanced, replaced, renewed, extended or defeased, (B) to the extent such Refinancing Indebtedness refinances Indebtedness subordinated or pari passu to the Notes or the related Guarantees, such Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated or pari passu to such Notes or such Guarantees at least to the same extent as the Indebtedness being refinanced or refunded, (C) shall not include (x) Indebtedness or Preferred Stock of a Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor that refinances Indebtedness or Preferred Stock of the Company or a Guarantor or (y) Indebtedness or Preferred Stock of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness or Preferred Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, (D) shall not be in a principal amount in excess of the principal amount of, premium, if any, accrued interest on, and related fees and expenses of, the Indebtedness being refunded or refinanced (including reasonable tender premiums, defeasance or discharge costs) and (E) shall not have a Stated Maturity prior to the earlier of (x) the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being refunded or refinanced and (y) the Stated Maturity of any Notes then outstanding;

(xiv) Indebtedness of the Company and Indebtedness or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary incurred and outstanding on or prior to the date on which such Person was acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or merged into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; provided, that such Indebtedness or Preferred Stock is not incurred in connection with or in contemplation of, or to provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support utilized to consummate, such acquisition or merger; and provided further, that after giving effect to such incurrence of Indebtedness either (A) the Company would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth Section 4.09(a) or (B) such Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio would be equal to or greater than immediately prior to such acquisition;

(xv) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided, that such Indebtedness is extinguished within ten Business Days of its incurrence;

(xvi) Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries supported by a letter of credit issued pursuant to the Credit Agreement in a principal amount not in excess of the stated amount of such letter of credit;

 

83


(xvii) Indebtedness incurred by a Securitization Subsidiary in a Qualified Securitization Financing that is not recourse to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than a Securitization Subsidiary (except for Standard Securitization Undertakings);

(xviii) Indebtedness incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary, provided, however, that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness incurred under this clause (xviii) which, when aggregated with the principal amount of all other Indebtedness then outstanding and incurred pursuant to this clause (xviii), does not exceed the greater of $75.0 million and 2.0% of Consolidated Total Assets as of the end of the Company’s most recently concluded fiscal quarter for which a balance sheet is available;

(xix) Indebtedness consisting of promissory notes issued by the Company or any Guarantor to current or former officers, directors and employees, their respective estates, spouses or former spouses to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of the Company or any of its direct or indirect parent companies permitted by Section 4.07;

(xx) Contribution Indebtedness (it being understood that any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (xx) shall cease to be deemed incurred or outstanding for purposes of this clause (xx) but shall be deemed incurred for purposes of this Section 4.09 from and after the first date on which the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, could have incurred such Indebtedness under Section 4.09(a) without reliance upon this clause (xx);

(xxi) Indebtedness of the Company or a Guarantor incurred in connection with or in contemplation of, or to provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support utilized to consummate, the acquisition by the Company or such Guarantor of property used or useful in a Permitted Business (whether through the direct purchase of assets or the purchase of Capital Stock of, or merger or consolidation with, any Person owning such assets); provided, that the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company for its most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such Indebtedness is incurred, determined on a pro forma basis as if such Indebtedness had been incurred and the application of proceeds therefrom had occurred at the beginning of such four- quarter period would have been equal to or greater than such Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio immediately prior to such acquisition or merger;

(xxii) Indebtedness of the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary to the extent the proceeds of such Indebtedness are deposited and used to defease the Notes as described under Article 8 and Article 11; and

(xxiii) Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries consisting of (A) the financing of insurance premiums or (B) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business.

 

84


(c) For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09, in the event that an item of proposed Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in Section 4.09(b)(i) through (xxiii), or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(a), the Company will be permitted to classify and later reclassify such item of Indebtedness in any manner that complies with this Section 4.09, and such item of Indebtedness will be treated as having been incurred pursuant to only one of such categories. Accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value and the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness for purposes of this covenant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement outstanding on the Issue Date, and for so long as such Indebtedness remains outstanding (without giving effect to any refinancing thereof), will be deemed to have been incurred on such date in reliance on the exception provided by clause (i) of the definition of Permitted Debt. Additionally, all or any portion of any item of Indebtedness may later be reclassified as having been incurred pursuant to the first paragraph of this covenant or under any category of Permitted Debt described in Section 4.09(b)(i) through (xxiii) so long as such Indebtedness is permitted to be incurred pursuant to such provision at the time of reclassification.

(d) For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar restriction on the incurrence of Indebtedness where the Indebtedness incurred is denominated in a different currency, the amount of such Indebtedness will be the U.S. Dollar Equivalent determined on the date of the incurrence of such Indebtedness; provided, however, that if any such Indebtedness denominated in a different currency is subject to a currency agreement with respect to U.S. dollars covering all principal, premium, if any, and interest payable on such Indebtedness, the amount of such Indebtedness expressed in U.S. dollars will be as provided in such currency agreement. The principal amount of any refinancing Indebtedness incurred in the same currency as the Indebtedness being refinanced will be the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the Indebtedness being refinanced, except to the extent that (i) such U.S. Dollar Equivalent was determined based on a currency agreement, in which case the refinancing Indebtedness will be determined in accordance with the preceding sentence, and (ii) the principal amount of the refinancing Indebtedness exceeds the principal amount of the Indebtedness being refinanced, in which case the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of such excess will be determined on the date such refinancing Indebtedness is incurred. The maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may incur pursuant to this covenant shall not be deemed to be exceeded, with respect to any outstanding Indebtedness, solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies.

Section 4.10 Asset Sales .

(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless:

(i) the Company (or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) receives consideration at the time of the Asset Sale at least equal to the fair market value of the assets or Equity Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of;

 

85


(ii) in the case of Asset Sales involving consideration in excess of $20.0 million, the fair market value is determined in good faith by the Company’s Board of Directors; and

(iii) except for any Permitted Asset Swap, at least 75% of the consideration received in the Asset Sale by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents.

For purposes of clause (iii) above, the amount of (A) any liabilities (as shown on the Company’s or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet or in the notes thereto) of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or the related Guarantees) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets and from which the Company and all Restricted Subsidiaries have been validly released by all creditors in writing, (B) any securities received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash (to the extent of the cash received) within 180 days following the closing of such Asset Sale and (C) any Designated Noncash Consideration received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in such Asset Sale having an aggregate fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company), taken together with all other Designated Noncash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (C) that is at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (x) $100.0 million and (y) 3.0% of Consolidated Total Assets of the Company as of the end of the Company’s most recently ended fiscal quarter prior to the date on which such Designated Noncash Consideration is received (with the fair market value of each item of Designated Noncash Consideration being measured at the time received without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), shall be deemed to be cash for purposes of this paragraph and for no other purpose.

(b) Within 365 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale, the Company (or, if applicable, the Restricted Subsidiary) may apply those Net Proceeds at its option:

(i) to repay any Secured Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor or Indebtedness of the Company that ranks pari passu with the Notes or Indebtedness of a Guarantor that ranks pari passu with such Guarantor’s Guarantee of the Notes ( provided that if the Company shall so reduce Obligations under unsecured Indebtedness that ranks pari passu with the Notes or a related Guarantee, it will equally and ratably reduce Obligations under the Notes by making an offer (in accordance with the procedures set forth below for an Asset Sale Offer (as defined in Section 4.10(d) below)) to all Holders to purchase at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the pro rata principal amount of the Notes or Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor;

(ii) in the case of a Designated Asset Sale, as provided for in the definition of Designated Asset Sales; or

(iii) to (A) make an investment in any one or more businesses; provided, that such investment in any business is in the form of the acquisition of Capital Stock and

 

86


results in the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary owning an amount of the Capital Stock of such business such that such business constitutes a Restricted Subsidiary, (B) make capital expenditures or (C) make an investment in other assets, in each of (A), (B) and (C), used or useful in a Permitted Business; and/or

(iv) to make an investment in (A) any one or more businesses; provided, that such investment in any business is in the form of the acquisition of Capital Stock and it results in the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary owning an amount of the Capital Stock of such business such that such business constitutes a Restricted Subsidiary, (B) properties or (C) assets that, in each of (A), (B) and (C), replace the businesses, properties and assets that are the subject of such Asset Sale.

(c) Any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale not applied or invested in accordance with Section 4.10(b) within 365 days from the date of the receipt of such Net Proceeds shall constitute “ Excess Proceeds ,” provided, that if during such 365-day period the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary enters into a definitive binding agreement committing it to apply such Net Proceeds in accordance with the requirements of Section 4.10(b)(i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) after such 365th day, such 365-day period will be extended with respect to the amount of Net Proceeds so committed for a period not to exceed 180 days until such Net Proceeds are required to be applied in accordance with such agreement (or, if earlier, until termination of such agreement).

(d) When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $30.0 million, the Company, or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, will make an offer (an “ Asset Sale Offer ”) to all Holders of the Notes and holders of Indebtedness that ranks pari passu with such Notes and contains provisions similar to those set forth in this Indenture with respect to offers to purchase with the proceeds of sales of assets to purchase, on a pro rata basis, the maximum principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds. The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer will be equal to 100% of principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase, and will be payable in cash.

(e) Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds, the Company, or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary (including the Company), may temporarily reduce revolving credit borrowings or otherwise invest the Net Proceeds in any manner that is not prohibited by this Indenture.

(f) If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company, or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary (including the Company), may use those Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee will select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis. Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset at zero.

(g) The Company, or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with each repurchase of Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of

 

87


any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Asset Sale provisions of this Indenture, the Company, or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under Section 4.10 of this Indenture by virtue of such conflict.

Section 4.11 Transactions with Affiliates .

(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate (each, an “ Affiliate Transaction ”) involving aggregate consideration in excess of $5.0 million, unless:

(i) the Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable arm’s-length transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company; and

(ii) (A) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $25.0 million, a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the Company have determined in good faith that the criteria set forth in the immediately preceding clause (i) are satisfied and have approved the relevant Affiliate Transaction as evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company; and (B) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $75.0 million, the Board of Directors of the Company shall also have received a written opinion as to the fairness to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries of such Affiliate Transaction from a financial point of view issued by an Independent Financial Advisor.

(b) The following items will be deemed not to be Affiliate Transactions and, therefore, will not be subject to the provisions of the prior paragraph:

(i) any transaction with the Company, a Restricted Subsidiary or joint venture or similar entity which would constitute an Affiliate Transaction solely because the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary owns an equity interest in or otherwise controls such Restricted Subsidiary, joint venture or similar entity;

(ii) Restricted Payments and Permitted Investments (other than pursuant to clauses (3), (10) and (11) of the definition thereof) permitted by this Indenture;

(iii) the payment to the Sponsors, any of their Affiliates, and officers of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, of management, consulting, monitoring and advisory fees, termination payments and related reasonable expenses pursuant to (A) the Advisory Agreement or (B) other agreements as in effect on the Issue Date that

 

88


are as described in the Offering Memorandum or any amendment thereto (so long as any such amendment is not less advantageous to the Holders in any material respect than the original agreement as in effect on the Issue Date);

(iv) the payment of reasonable and customary compensation and fees to, and indemnities provided on behalf of (and entering into related agreements with) officers, directors, employees or consultants of the Company, any of its direct or indirect parent companies, or any Restricted Subsidiary, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company or Senior Management;

(v) payments made by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to the Sponsors and any of their Affiliates for any management, consulting, monitoring, financial advisory, financing, underwriting or placement services or in respect of other investment banking activities, including, without limitation, in connection with financings, acquisitions or divestitures, which payments are approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith;

(vi) transactions in which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary delivers to the Trustee a letter from an Independent Financial Advisor stating that such transaction is fair to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view;

(vii) payments or loans (or cancellations of loans) to employees or consultants of the Company or any of its direct or indirect parent companies or any Restricted Subsidiary which are approved by the Board of Directors of the Company and which are otherwise permitted under this Indenture, but in any event not to exceed $20.0 million in the aggregate outstanding at any one time;

(viii) payments made or performance under any agreement as in effect on the Issue Date or as described in the Offering Memorandum (other than the Advisory Agreement and the Shareholders Agreements);

(ix) the existence of, or the performance by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of its obligations under the terms of, the Shareholders Agreements (including any registration rights agreement or purchase agreements related thereto to which it is a party on the Issue Date and any similar agreement that it may enter into thereafter); provided, however, that the existence of, or the performance by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of its obligations under, any future amendment to the Shareholders Agreements or under any similar agreement entered into after the Issue Date shall only be permitted by this clause (ix) to the extent that the terms of any such existing agreement together with all amendments thereto, taken as a whole, or new agreement are not otherwise more disadvantageous to holders of the Notes in any material respect than the original agreement as in effect on the Issue Date;

(x) transactions with customers, clients, suppliers, or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, in each case in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture that are fair to the Company or its

 

89


Restricted Subsidiaries, in the reasonable determination of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company or Senior Management, or are on terms at least as favorable as would reasonably have been entered into at such time with an unaffiliated party;

(xi) the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company to any Permitted Holder, any director, officer, employee or consultant of the Company or its Subsidiaries or any other Affiliates of the Company (other than a Subsidiary);

(xii) investments by the Sponsors in securities of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries so long as (A) the investment is being offered generally to other investors on the same or more favorable terms and (B) the investment constitutes less than 5% of the proposed or outstanding issue amount of such class of securities; and

(xiii) any transaction with a Securitization Subsidiary effected as part of a Qualified Securitization Financing.

Section 4.12 Liens .

(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien that secures obligations under any Indebtedness on any asset or property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, or any income or profits therefrom, or assign or convey any right to receive income therefrom, unless the Notes and the related Guarantees are equally and ratably secured, except that the foregoing shall not apply to:

(i) Liens existing on the Issue Date to the extent and in the manner such Liens are in effect on the Issue Date;

(ii) Liens securing Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to clause (i) of the definition of Permitted Debt;

(iii) Liens securing Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the maximum principal amount of Indebtedness that, as of such date, and after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness and the application of the proceeds therefrom on such date, would not cause the Gross Secured Indebtedness Leverage Ratio of the Company to exceed 4.5 to 1;

(iv) Liens securing the Notes and the related Guarantees; and

(v) Permitted Liens.

(b) For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.12, (A) a Lien securing an item of Indebtedness need not be permitted solely by reference to one category of Permitted Liens described in clauses (1) through (33) of the definition of Permitted Liens or

 

90


pursuant to Section 4.12(a) but may be permitted in part under any combination thereof and (B) in the event that a Lien securing an item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of one or more of the categories of Permitted Liens described in clauses (1) through (33) of the definition of Permitted Liens or pursuant to Section 4.12(a), the Company shall, in its sole discretion, classify or reclassify, or later divide, classify or reclassify, such Lien securing such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this Section 4.12 and will only be required to include the amount and type of such Lien or such item of Indebtedness secured by such Lien in one of the clauses of the definition of Permitted Liens and such Lien securing such item of Indebtedness will be treated as being incurred or existing pursuant to only one of such clauses or pursuant to Section 4.12(a):

(c) With respect to any Lien securing Indebtedness that was permitted to secure such Indebtedness at the time of the incurrence of such Indebtedness, such Lien shall also be permitted to secure any Increased Amount of such Indebtedness. The “ Increased Amount ” of any Indebtedness shall mean any increase in the amount of such Indebtedness in connection with any accrual of interest or fees, the accretion of accreted value, the amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms or in the form of common stock of the Company, accretion of original issue discount or liquidation preference and increases in the amount of Indebtedness outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies or increases in the value of property securing Indebtedness described in clause (a)(iii) of the definition of Indebtedness.

Section 4.13 Business Activities .

The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, engage in any business other than Permitted Businesses, except to such extent as would not be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

Section 4.14 Payment of Taxes and Other Claims .

The Company shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (a) all material taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon it or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or upon the income, profits or property of it or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and (b) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies except, in each case, any such tax, assessment, charge or claim as is being contested in good faith by appropriate actions or where the failure to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim is not materially adverse to the Holders.

Section 4.15 Offer to Repurchase upon Change of Control .

(a) If a Change of Control occurs, unless the Company at such time has given notice of redemption under Section 3.07(c), (d) or (e) with respect to all outstanding Notes, each

 

91


Holder will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (in a principal amount equal to the Minimum Dollar Denomination or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of that Holder’s Notes pursuant to a change of control offer (the “ Change of Control Offer ”) on the terms set forth in this Indenture. In the Change of Control Offer, the Company will offer a Change of Control Payment in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes repurchased, to the date of purchase (the “ Change of Control Payment ”). Within 30 days following any Change of Control, unless the Company at such time has given notice of redemption under Section 3.07(c), (d) or (e) with respect to all outstanding Notes, the Company will mail a notice to the Trustee and each Holder describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control and offering to repurchase Notes on the date (the “ Change of Control Payment 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, pursuant to the procedures required by this Indenture and described in such notice. The Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Change of Control. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.15 by virtue of such conflict.

(b) On the Business Day immediately preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful, deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered.

(c) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful:

(i) accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer; and

(ii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted, together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions of Notes being purchased by the Company.

(d) The Paying Agent shall promptly mail to each Holder properly tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes, and the Trustee shall promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any; provided that each new Note will be in a principal amount equal to the Minimum Dollar Denomination. The Company shall publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.

(e) The Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if (i) a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Indenture

 

92


applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under the Change of Control Offer or (ii) a valid notice of redemption for all of the Notes has been given pursuant to Section 3.07(c), (d) or (e) unless and until such notice has been validly revoked or there is a default in the payment of the applicable redemption price. A Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control or conditional upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time the Change of Control Offer is made.

Section 4.16 Payments for Consent .

The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration to or for the benefit of any Holder or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid and is paid to all Holders that so consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

Section 4.17 Additional Guarantees .

On or after the Issue Date, the Company shall cause (a) each of its Domestic Subsidiaries or Material Foreign Subsidiaries (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary) that incurs Indebtedness in excess of $50.0 million (other than Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to clause (v), (vi), (vii), (viii), (ix), (x), (xv) or (xviii) of Section 4.09(b)) and (b) each Restricted Subsidiary that guarantees any Indebtedness of the Company or any of the Guarantors, in each case, within 10 Business Days of such incurrence of any such Indebtedness or guarantee of such Indebtedness, to execute and deliver to the Trustee (i) a supplemental indenture in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit E and (ii) a notation of Guarantee in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit D , pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary will unconditionally Guarantee, on a joint and several basis, the full and prompt payment of the principal of, premium, if any and interest on the Notes and all other obligations under this Indenture on the same terms and conditions as those set forth in this Indenture.

Each Guarantee will be limited to an amount not to exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed by that Restricted Subsidiary without rendering the Guarantee, as it relates to such Restricted Subsidiary, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.

Each Guarantee shall be automatically released in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture described under Article 11.

 

93


Section 4.18 Maintenance of Properties and Insurance .

(a) The Company shall cause all material properties owned by or leased by it or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries used or useful to the conduct of its business or the business of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to be maintained and kept in normal condition, repair and working order and supplied with all necessary equipment and shall cause to be made all repairs, renewals, replacements, and betterments thereof, all as in its judgment may be necessary, so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided, however , that nothing in this Section 4.18 shall prevent the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from discontinuing the use, operation or maintenance of any of such properties, or disposing of any of them, if such discontinuance or disposal is, in the judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary; provided, further , that nothing in this Section 4.18 shall prevent the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from discontinuing or disposing of any properties to the extent otherwise permitted by this Indenture.

(b) The Company shall maintain, and shall cause its Restricted Subsidiaries to maintain, insurance with responsible carriers against such risks and in such amounts, and with such deductibles, retentions, self insured amounts and co-insurance provisions, as are appropriate for a business of this type and size as determined in good faith by the Company.

Section 4.19 Changes in Covenants upon Notes Being Rated Investment Grade .

(a) If on any date following the date of this Indenture (1) the Notes are rated Investment Grade by either of the Rating Agencies; and (2) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, then, beginning on that day and subject to the provisions of Section 4.19(b), the following covenants will be suspended: Sections 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10(d), 4.11, 4.17 and 5.01(a)(iv) (collectively, the “ Suspended Covenants ”).

(b) During any period that the foregoing covenants have been suspended, the Company’s Board of Directors may not designate any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries unless the Company’s Board of Directors would have been able, under the terms of this Indenture, to designate such Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries if the Suspended Covenants were not suspended.

(c) Notwithstanding that the Suspended Covenants may be reinstated, no Default or Event of Default will be deemed to have occurred as a result of a failure to comply with the Suspended Covenants during the Suspension Period (as defined below). In the event that the Notes are no longer rated Investment Grade by either of the Rating Agencies and an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the covenants set forth in Section 4.19(a) will be reinstituted as of and from the date on which the Notes are no longer rated Investment Grade and an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (any such date, a “ Reversion Date ”). The period of time between the suspension of covenants as set forth above

 

94


and the Reversion Date is referred to as the “ Suspension Period .” All Indebtedness incurred (including Acquired Indebtedness) and Preferred Stock issued during the Suspension Period will be deemed to have been incurred or issued in reliance on the exception provided by Section 4.09(b)(iii). Calculations under the reinstated Section 4.07 will be made as if Section 4.07 had been in effect prior to, but not during, the period that Section 4.07 was suspended as set forth above; provided , for the sake of clarity, that no default will be deemed to have occurred solely by reason of a Restricted Payment made while that covenant was suspended. For purposes of determining compliance with the covenant described above under Section 4.10(d), the Excess Proceeds from all Asset Sales not applied in accordance with Section 4.10(d) will be deemed to be reset to zero after the Reversion Date.

(d) The Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may honor any contractual commitments to take actions following a Reversion Date without causing a Default or Event of Default; provided that such contractual commitments were entered into during the Suspension Period and not in contemplation of a reversion of the Suspended Covenants.

(e) The Company shall provide an Officers’ Certificate to the Trustee indicating the commencement of any Suspension Period or the Reversion Date.

Section 4.20 Compliance with Laws .

The Company shall comply, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply, with all applicable statutes, rules, regulations, orders and restrictions of the United States, all states and municipalities thereof, and of any governmental department, commission, board, regulatory authority, bureau, agency and instrumentality of the foregoing, in respect of the conduct of their respective businesses and the ownership of their respective properties, except, in any such case, to the extent the failure to so comply would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition or results of operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

Section 4.21 Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws .

The Company and each Guarantor covenants (to the extent permitted by applicable law) that it shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law or any usury law or other law that would prohibit or forgive the Company from paying all or any portion of the principal of or interest on the Notes as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture, and (to the extent permitted by applicable law) the Company and each Guarantor hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants (to the extent permitted by applicable law) that it shall not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

 

95


ARTICLE 5

SUCCESSORS

Section 5.01 Merger , Consolidation , or Sale of Assets .

(a) The Company may not, directly or indirectly: (1) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation); or (2) sell, assign, transfer, convey, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to another Person, unless:

(i) either: (A) the Company is the surviving corporation; or (B) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition has been made is, in the case of the Company, a corporation or limited liability company organized or existing under the laws of any member state of the European Union, the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia (the Company or such Person, including the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition has been made, as the case may be, being herein called the “ Successor Company ”), provided, that at any time the Successor Company is a limited liability company, there shall be a co-issuer of the Notes that is a corporation that satisfies the requirements of this Section 5.01(a);

(ii) the Successor Company (if other than the Company) assumes all the obligations of the Company, under the Notes and this Indenture pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;

(iii) immediately after such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; and

(iv) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction and any related financing transactions, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, either (A) the Successor Company would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) or (B) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Successor Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be equal to or greater than such ratio for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such transaction.

The foregoing provision shall also apply to any Guarantor, with the exception of clause (iv).

(b) For purposes of this Article 5, the sale, lease, conveyance, assignment, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of one or more Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company, which properties and assets, if held by the Company instead of such Restricted Subsidiaries, would constitute all or substantially all of the properties

 

96


and assets of the Company on a consolidated basis, shall be deemed to be the sale, lease, conveyance, assignment, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company.

(c) For avoidance of doubt, it is agreed that, for all purposes under this Indenture, a sale, transfer or disposition of the properties or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries that, in the aggregate accounted for no more than two-thirds of the Company’s aggregate EBITDA during the four most recent consecutive fiscal quarters prior to the date of such sale, transfer or disposition for which financial statements are available (as specified in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee), shall be deemed not to be a sale, lease, conveyance, assignment, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company.

(d) The predecessor company shall be released from its obligations under this Indenture and the Successor Company shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture, but, in the case of a lease of all or substantially all its assets, the predecessor shall not be so released.

(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, clauses (iii) and (iv) of Section 5.01(a) shall not apply to (A) a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition of assets between or among the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, (B) any Restricted Subsidiary consolidating with, merging into or selling, assigning, transferring, conveying, leasing or otherwise disposing of all or part of its properties and assets to the Company or to another Restricted Subsidiary ( provided, that , in the event that such Restricted Subsidiary is a Guarantor, it may consolidate with, merge into or sell, assign, transfer, convey, lease or otherwise dispose of all or part of its properties and assets solely to the Company or another Guarantor) or (C) the Company merging with an Affiliate solely for the purpose and with the sole effect of reincorporating the Company in another jurisdiction.

ARTICLE 6

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01 Events of Default .

(a) Each of the following is an “ Event of Default ”:

(i) the Company defaults in payment when due and payable, upon redemption, acceleration or otherwise, of principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes;

(ii) the Company defaults in the payment when due of interest on or with respect to the Notes and such default continues for a period of 30 days;

(iii) the Company defaults in the performance of, or breaches any covenant, warranty or other agreement contained in, this Indenture (other than a default in the performance or breach of a covenant, warranty or agreement which is specifically dealt

 

97


with in clauses (i) or (ii) above) and such default or breach continues for a period of 60 days after the notice specified below;

(iv) a default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there is issued or by which there is secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than Indebtedness owed to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary), whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists or is created after the Issue Date, if (A) such default either (1) results from the failure to pay any such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods) or (2) relates to an obligation other than the obligation to pay principal of any such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity and results in the holder or holders of such Indebtedness causing such Indebtedness to become due prior to its Stated Maturity and (B) the principal amount of such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness in default for failure to pay principal at stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods), or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregate $50.0 million (or its foreign currency equivalent) or more at any one time outstanding;

(v) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

 

  (A) commences a voluntary case;

 

  (B) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case;

 

  (C) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property;

 

  (D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;

 

  (E) takes any comparable action under any foreign laws relating to insolvency;

 

  (F) generally is not able to pay its debts as they become due; or

 

  (G) takes any corporate action to authorize or effect any of the foregoing;

(vi) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

 

  (A) is for relief against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;

 

98


  (B) appoints a custodian of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property or assets of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary; or

 

  (C) orders the liquidation of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary,

and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days;

(vii) the failure by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $50.0 million, which final judgments remain unpaid, undischarged and unstayed for a period of more than 60 days after the applicable judgment becomes final, and, with respect to any such judgments covered by insurance, an enforcement proceeding has been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or decree which is not promptly stayed; or

(viii) the Guarantee of a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken together as of the date of the most recent audited financial statements of the Company, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary ceases to be in full force and effect (except as contemplated by the terms hereof) or any Guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligations under this Indenture or any Guarantee, other than by reason of the release of such Guarantee in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, and such Default continues for 10 days.

(b) If a Default for a failure to report or failure to deliver a required certificate in connection with another default (the “ Initial Default ”) occurs, then at the time such Initial Default is cured, such Default for a failure to report or failure to deliver a required certificate in connection with another default that resulted solely because of that Initial Default will also be cured without any further action.

(c) Any Default or Event of Default for the failure to comply with the time periods prescribed in Section 4.03 or otherwise to deliver any notice or certificate pursuant to any other provision of this Indenture shall be deemed to be cured upon the delivery of any such report required by Section 4.03 or such notice or certificate, as applicable, even though such delivery is not within the prescribed period specified in this Indenture.

Section 6.02 Acceleration .

(a) If an Event of Default specified in clause (v) or (vi) of Section 6.01 occurs and is continuing, then all unpaid principal of, and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all of the outstanding Notes shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.

(b) If any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clauses (v) or (vi) of Section 6.01) shall occur and be continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of outstanding Notes under this Indenture may declare the

 

99


principal of and accrued interest on such Notes to be due and payable by notice in writing to the Company and the Trustee (if given by the Holders) specifying the respective Event of Default and that it is a “notice of acceleration” (the “ Acceleration Notice ”), and the same shall become immediately due and payable.

(c) At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to the Notes as described in Section 6.02(a) or (b), the Holders of a majority in principal amount of such Notes may rescind and cancel such declaration and its consequences by written notice to the Company and the Trustee:

(i) if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree;

(ii) if all existing Events of Default have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal or interest that has become due solely because of the acceleration;

(iii) to the extent the payment of such interest is lawful, interest on overdue installments of interest and overdue principal, which has become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration, has been paid;

(iv) if the Company has paid the Trustee its reasonable compensation and reimbursed the Trustee for its expenses (including the fees and costs of its attorneys), disbursements and advances; and

(v) in the event of the cure or waiver of an Event of Default under this Indenture of the type described in clause (v) and (vi) of Section 6.01, the Trustee shall have received an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel that such Event of Default has been cured or waived.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereto.

Section 6.03 Other Remedies .

(a) If a Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy by proceeding at law or in equity to collect the payment of principal of or interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

(b) The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon a Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

 

100


(c) In the event of any Event of Default specified in clause (iv) of Section 6.01, such Event of Default and all consequences thereof (excluding, however, any resulting payment default, other than as a result of the acceleration of the Notes) shall be annulled, waived and rescinded, automatically and without any action by the Trustee or the Holders, if within 20 days after such Event of Default arose (x) the Indebtedness or guarantee that is the basis for such Event of Default has been discharged or (y) the holders thereof have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to such Event of Default or (z) the default that is the basis for such Event of Default is no longer continuing, it being understood that in no event shall an acceleration of the principal amount of the Notes, as described above, be annulled, waived or rescinded upon the happening of any such events.

(d) Holders may not enforce this Indenture or the Notes, except as provided in this Indenture. Subject to the provisions of this Indenture relating to the duties of the Trustee, the Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity.

Section 6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults .

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Notes at the time then outstanding may on behalf of the Holders of all the Notes waive any Default with respect to such Notes and its consequences by providing written notice thereof to the Company and the Trustee, except a Default in the payment of interest on or the principal of such Notes. In the case of any such waiver, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored to their former positions and rights under this Indenture, respectively; provided, that no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereto.

Section 6.05 Control by Majority .

Subject to the other provisions of this Indenture and applicable law, the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it. The Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with any law or this Indenture, that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of another Holder, or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability; provided, that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction. In the event the Trustee takes any action or follows any direction pursuant to this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss or expense caused by taking such action or following such direction.

Section 6.06 Limitation on Suits .

 

101


A Holder may not pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:

(i) the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default;

(ii) the Holder or Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

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

(iv) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 45 days after receipt of the request and the offer and the provision of indemnity; and

(v) during such 45-day period the Holder or Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes do not give the Trustee a direction in accordance with Section 6.04 which, in the opinion of the Trustee, is inconsistent with the request.

A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over such other Holder.

Section 6.07 Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment .

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

Section 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee .

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

 

102


Section 6.09 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim .

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

Section 6.10 Priorities .

Subject to the provisions of Article 10, if the Trustee collects any money or property pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money or property in the following order:

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

Second : to Holders for interest accrued on the Notes, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for interest;

Third : to Holders for principal amounts due and unpaid on the Notes, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal; and

Fourth: to the Company or, if applicable, the Guarantors, as their respective interests may appear.

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

Section 6.11 Undertaking for Costs .

 

103


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

ARTICLE 7

TRUSTEE

Section 7.01 Duties of Trustee .

(a) The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default of which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have actual knowledge and after the curing of all such Events of Defaults which may have occurred, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. If an Event of Default of which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have actual knowledge has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee will exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

(i) the duties of the Trustee will be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, with respect to certificates or opinions specifically required by any provision hereof to be furnished to it, the Trustee will examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture; provided, however , that the Trustee shall not be responsible for the accuracy or content of any resolution, certificate, statement, opinion, report, document, order or other instrument furnished to it hereunder.

(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(i) this paragraph (c) does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01;

 

104


(ii) the Trustee will not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(iii) the Trustee will not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof.

(d) No provision of this Indenture will require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability for the performance of any of its duties hereunder or the exercise of any of its rights or powers. The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under this Indenture at the request of any Holders, unless such Holder has offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

(e) The Trustee will not be liable for interest on, and will not be obligated to invest, any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Section 7.02 Rights of Trustee .

(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel of its own selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel will be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

(c) The Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder and perform any duties hereunder either directly or through its attorneys and agents and will not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.

(d) The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company will be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company.

 

105


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

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

(h) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture.

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

(j) The Trustee may request that the Company and each Guarantor deliver an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture.

(k) The right of the Trustee to perform any discretionary act enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty, and the Trustee shall not be answerable for other than its negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of such act.

(l) The Trustee shall have no obligation to (i) independently determine or verify the rating of any Notes or if a commencement of any Suspension Period or the Reversion Date has occurred, (ii) make any determination regarding the impact of actions taken during the Suspension Period on the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ future compliance with their covenants or (iii) notify the Holders of the commencement of the Suspension Period or the Reversion Date.

(m) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, in no event shall the Trustee be liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture because of circumstances beyond its control, including, but not limited to, acts of God, flood, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, fire, riot, strikes or work stoppages for any reason, embargo, government action, including any laws, ordinances, regulations or the like which restrict or prohibit the providing of the services contemplated by this Indenture, inability to obtain material, equipment, or communications or computer facilities, or the failure of equipment or interruption of communications or computer facilities, and other causes beyond its control whether or not of the same class or kind as specifically named above.

Section 7.03 Individual Rights of Trustee .

 

106


The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or any Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the Commission for permission to continue as trustee (if this Indenture has been qualified under the TIA) or resign. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.

Section 7.04 Trustee’s Disclaimer .

The Trustee will not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture, any related offering material or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Company or upon the Company’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it will not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it will not be responsible for any statement or recital herein, any statement in the Notes, the Offering Memorandum or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture or the legality or validity of the Notes or this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.

Section 7.05 Notice of Defaults .

If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee will mail to Holders a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Note, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders.

Section 7.06 [Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity .

(a) The Company will pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder as agreed between the Company and the Trustee. The Trustee’s compensation will not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company will reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable and documented disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses will include the reasonable and documented compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

 

107


(b) The Company and each Guarantor, jointly and severally, will indemnify the Trustee and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Trustee against any and all losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, including, without limitation, the reasonable and documented costs and expenses (including the costs and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel) of enforcing this Indenture against the Company and the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, the Guarantors, any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder and/or the exercise of its rights, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense may be attributable to its own negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. The Trustee will notify the Company promptly of any claim of which a Responsible Officer has received written notice for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company will not relieve the Company or any of the Guarantors of their obligations hereunder. The Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, will defend the claim and the Trustee will cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company and the Guarantors, as applicable, will pay the reasonable and documented fees and expenses of such counsel provided, however that the Company and any Guarantor shall not be required to pay such fees and expenses if it assumes such indemnified party’s defense and, in such indemnified party’s reasonable judgment, there is no conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest between the Company and the Guarantors, as applicable, and such party in connection with such defense. Neither the Company nor any Guarantor need pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

(c) The obligations of the Company and the Guarantors under this Section 7.07 will survive payment of the Notes, resignation or removal of the Trustee or any Agent, the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or other termination of this Indenture.

(d) To secure the Company’s and the Guarantors’ payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee will have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Notes. Such Lien will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

(e) When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(v) or (vi) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

Section 7.08 Replacement of Trustee .

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

 

108


(b) The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing. The Company may remove the Trustee if:

(i) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;

(ii) the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

(iii) a custodian, receiver or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(iv) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

(c) If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company will promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

(d) If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company, or the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(e) If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof, such Holder may petition at the expense of the Company any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(f) A successor Trustee will deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee will become effective, and the successor Trustee will have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee will mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee will promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee; provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 hereof will continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc .

If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business (including any corporate trust business contemplated by this Indenture) to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act will be the successor Trustee.

 

109


Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification .

There will at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50.0 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

This Indenture will always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA § 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to TIA § 310(b).

Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company .

The Trustee is subject to TIA § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA § 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

ARTICLE 8

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 8.01 Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance .

The Company may at any time, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by a resolution set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof be applied to all outstanding Notes and Guarantees upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.

Section 8.02 Legal Defeasance and Discharge .

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Company and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes (including the Guarantees) on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Legal Defeasance ”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company and the Guarantors will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes (including the Guarantees), which will thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) below, and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Notes, the Guarantees and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute

 

110


proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

(i) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes issued hereunder to receive payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on such Notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to below;

(ii) the Company’s obligations with respect to the Notes issued hereunder concerning issuing temporary Notes, registration of Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust;

(iii) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations in connection therewith; and

(iv) this Article 8.

Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.

Section 8.03 Covenant Defeasance .

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Company and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from each of their obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.03, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.15 and 4.17, and clause (iv) of Section 5.01(a) hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Covenant Defeasance ”), and the Notes will thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but will continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes will not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes and the Guarantees, the Company and the Guarantors may omit to comply with and will have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes and Guarantees, will be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, and clauses (iii), (iv), (v), (vi) (with respect to a Significant Subsidiary), (vii) and (viii) of Sections 6.01 hereof will not constitute Events of Default.

 

111


Section 8.04 Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance .

(a) In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance under either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof:

(i) the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable U.S. Government Securities, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable U.S. Government Securities, in amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of an internationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on the outstanding Notes issued hereunder on the Stated Maturity or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether such Notes are being defeased to maturity or to a particular redemption date;

(ii) in the case of an election under Section 8.02 hereof, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that (a) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (b) since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel will confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Notes issued hereunder will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(iii) in the case of an election under Section 8.03 hereof, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Notes issued hereunder will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(iv) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from, or arising in connection with, the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit and the grant of any Lien securing such borrowing);

(v) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Guarantor is bound;

(vi) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that assuming no intervening bankruptcy of the Company between the date of deposit and the 91st day following the deposit, or if longer, the day immediately

 

112


following the last day on which the deposit may be set aside as preferential payment under applicable law, and assuming that no Holder is an “insider” of the Company under applicable bankruptcy law, after such day following the deposit, the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of the preference provisions of Section 547 of the United States Federal Bankruptcy Code;

(vii) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders over the other creditors of the Company or any Guarantor or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the Company or any Guarantor or others; and

(viii) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance of the Notes have been complied with.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Opinion of Counsel required by clauses (ii) and (iii) above with respect to a Legal Defeasance or a Covenant Defeasance, as applicable, need not be delivered if all Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (x) have become due and payable or (y) will become due and payable on the maturity date within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company.

(c) Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein and upon the request of the Company, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of those obligations that the Company terminates.

Section 8.05 Deposited Money and U.S. Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions .

Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money, non-callable U.S. Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “ Trustee ”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes will be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

The Company will pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable U.S. Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

 

113


Notwithstanding anything in this Article 8 to the contrary, the Trustee will deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request of the Company any money, non-callable U.S. Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(a)(ii) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

Section 8.06 Repayment to Company .

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its request or (if then held by the Company) will be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note will thereafter be permitted to look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, will thereupon cease; provided, however , that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company causes to be published once, in the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which will not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

Section 8.07 Reinstatement .

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any U.S. dollars or non-callable U.S. Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture and the Notes and the Guarantees will be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however , that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company will be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 9

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

Section 9.01 Without Consent of Holders of Notes .

 

114


Subject to Section 9.03, without the consent of any Holder, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Notes:

(i) to cure any ambiguity, mistake, defect or inconsistency;

(ii) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;

(iii) to provide for the assumption by a Successor Company or a successor company of a Guarantor, as applicable, of the Company’s or such Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture;

(iv) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders or that does not adversely affect the legal rights hereunder of any Holder;

(v) to secure the Notes;

(vi) to comply with requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

(vii) to add a Guarantee of the Notes;

(viii) to conform the text of this Indenture or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of the Notes” included in the Offering Memorandum relating to the Notes;

(ix) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Indenture on the Issue Date; or

(x) to release a Guarantor upon its sale or designation as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or other permitted release from its Guarantee; provided, that such sale, designation or release is in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture,

provided, that the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel and an Officers’ Certificate, each stating that such amendment or supplement complies with the provisions of this Section 9.01.

Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders of Notes .

(a) Subject to Sections 6.07 and 9.03, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee, together, with the written consent of the Holder or Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes), may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Notes without notice to any other Holders. Subject to Sections 6.07 and 9.03, the Holder or Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of then outstanding Notes may waive compliance with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes) without notice to

 

115


any other Holders (except a default in respect of the payment of principal or interest on the Notes).

(b) Notwithstanding Section 9.02(a), without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver, including a waiver pursuant to Section 6.04, may not (with respect to any Notes issued hereunder and held by a non-consenting Holder):

(i) reduce the principal amount of Notes issued hereunder whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(ii) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Note issued hereunder or alter the provisions with respect to the redemption of the Notes issued hereunder (other than provisions relating to the covenants described above under Sections 4.10 and 4.15, except as set forth in clause (x) below);

(iii) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any Note issued hereunder;

(iv) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on the Notes issued hereunder (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes issued hereunder by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes issued hereunder with respect to a nonpayment default and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

(v) make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the Notes;

(vi) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders hereunder to receive payments of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on the Notes or impair the right of any Holder to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to the Notes;

(vii) waive a redemption payment with respect to any Note issued hereunder (other than a payment required by Sections 4.10 and 4.15, except as set forth in clause (x) below);

(viii) make any change in the ranking or priority of any Note issued hereunder that would adversely affect the Holders;

(ix) modify the Guarantees in any manner adverse to the Holders;

(x) amend, change or modify in any material respect the obligation of the Company to make and consummate a Change of Control Offer in respect of a Change of Control that has occurred or make and consummate an Asset Sale Offer in respect of an Asset Sale that has been consummated after a requirement to make an Asset Sale Offer has arisen; or

(xi) make any change in the preceding amendment and waiver provisions.

 

116


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

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

Section 9.03 [Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 9.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents .

(a) Until an amendment, waiver or supplement becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to his Note or portion of his Note by notice to the Trustee or the Company received before the date on which the Trustee receives an Officers’ Certificate certifying that the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Notes have consented (and not theretofore revoked such consent) to the amendment, supplement or waiver.

(b) The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement or waiver which record date shall be at least 30 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the last sentence of the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 90 days after such record date. The Company shall inform the Trustee in writing of the fixed record date if applicable.

(c) After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder, unless it makes a change described in any of clauses (i) through (xi) of Section 9.02(b), in which case, the amendment, supplement or waiver shall bind only each Holder of a Note who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note; provided, that any such waiver shall not impair or affect the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of and interest on a Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Note, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates without the consent of such Holder.

 

117


Section 9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Notes .

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

Section 9.06 Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc .

The Trustee shall execute any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article 9; provided, that the Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, execute any such amendment, supplement or waiver which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture. The Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel and an Officers’ Certificate each stating that the execution of any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article 9 is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with its terms. Such Opinion of Counsel and Officers’ Certificate shall be at the expense of the Company.

ARTICLE 10

GUARANTEES

Section 10.01 Guarantee .

(a) Subject to this Article 10, each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, and fully and unconditionally, guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of, this Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Company hereunder or thereunder, that: (i) the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest and defaulted interest, if any, on the Notes will be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of, premium, if any, and interest and defaulted interest, if any, on the Notes (pursuant to Section 2.12), if lawful (subject in all cases to any applicable grace period provided herein), and all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid in full, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, the same will be promptly paid in full when due in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors shall be jointly and severally

 

118


obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

(b) Each Guarantor hereby agrees that, to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, its obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a Guarantor. Subject to Section 6.06, each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that this Guarantee shall not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture.

(c) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to any of the Company or the Guarantors, any amount paid by any of them to the Trustee or such Holder, this Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated with full force and effect.

(d) Each Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Guarantee. The Guarantors shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Guarantee.

Section 10.02 Limitation on Guarantor Liability .

Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute (i) a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal, state or foreign law to the extent applicable to its Guarantee or (ii) an unlawful distribution under any applicable state or foreign law prohibiting distributions by an insolvent entity to the extent applicable to its Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Guarantor will be limited to the maximum

 

119


amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article 10, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance or such an unlawful distribution.

Section 10.03 Execution and Delivery of Guarantee.

(a) To evidence its Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01, each Guarantor hereby agrees that a notation of such Guarantee substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D shall be endorsed by an Officer of such Guarantor by manual or facsimile signature on each Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and that this Indenture shall be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by one of its Officers.

(b) Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of such Guarantee.

(c) If an Officer whose signature is on this Indenture or on the Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note on which a Guarantee is endorsed, the Guarantee shall be valid nevertheless.

(d) The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.

(e) If required by Section 4.17, the Company shall cause such Subsidiaries to execute supplemental indentures to this Indenture and Guarantees in accordance with Section 4.17 and this Article 10, to the extent applicable.

Section 10.04 Guarantors May Consolidate, Etc., on Certain Terms .

Each Guarantor may consolidate with or merge into or sell its assets to the Company or another Guarantor without limitation, or with, into or to any other Persons upon the terms and conditions set forth in Article 5.

Section 10.05 Releases .

The Guarantee of a Guarantor will be automatically released in the event that:

(a) the sale, disposition or other transfer (including through merger or consolidation) of all of the Capital Stock (or any sale, disposition or other transfer of Capital Stock (including through merger or consolidation) following which the applicable Guarantor is

 

120


no longer a Subsidiary), or all or substantially all the assets, of the applicable Guarantor, if such sale, disposition or other transfer is made in compliance with the provisions of Section 4.10;

(b) the Company designates any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.07 and the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary”;

(c) in the case of any Restricted Subsidiary which after the Issue Date is required to guarantee the Notes pursuant to Section 4.17, the release or discharge of the guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary of all Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or the repayment of all the Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock, in each case, which resulted in an obligation to guarantee the Notes;

(d) if the Company exercises its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option as described under Article 8 or if its obligations under this Indenture are discharged in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; or

(e) such Guarantor is also a guarantor or borrower under the Credit Agreement as in effect on the Issue Date and, at the time of release of its Guarantee, (x) has been released from its guarantee of, and all pledges and security, if any, granted in connection with the Credit Agreement, (y) is not an obligor under any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to clause (vii), (ix), (x) or (xv) of Section 4.09(b) and (z) does not guarantee any Indebtedness of the Company or any of the other Guarantors.

ARTICLE 11

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 11.01 Satisfaction and Discharge .

(a) This Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all Notes issued hereunder, when:

(i) either:

(A) all Notes that have been authenticated, except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(B) all Notes that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the mailing of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and payable by reason of the mailing of a notice of redemption or otherwise within one year and the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in

 

121


trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable U.S. Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in amounts as will be sufficient without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the Notes not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption;

(ii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture on the date of the deposit or will occur as a result of the deposit (other than a Default resulting from borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit and the grant of any Lien securing such borrowing) and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other material instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound;

(iii) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture; and

(iv) the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee under this Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes issued hereunder at maturity or the redemption date, as the case may be.

(b) In addition, the Company must deliver an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.

(c) Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money has been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of clause (1) of this Section 11.01(a), the provisions of Sections 11.02 and 8.06 hereof will survive such satisfaction and discharge. In addition, nothing in this Section 11.01 will be deemed to discharge those provisions of Section 7.07 hereof, that, by their terms, survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

Section 11.02 Application of Trust Money .

Subject to the provisions of Section 8.06 hereof, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Securities in accordance with Section 11.01 hereof by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s and any Guarantor’s obligations under

 

122


this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof; provided, that if the Company has made any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 12

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 12.01 [Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 12.02 Notices .

Any notice, demand, instruction, request, direction or communication by the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in English and in writing and delivered in Person or by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile transmission or other electronic transmission or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:

If to the Company and/or any Guarantor:

Sensata Technologies B.V.

c/o Sensata Technologies, Inc.

529 Pleasant Street

Attleboro, Massachusetts

Facsimile No.: (508) 236-3800

Attention: Chief Administrative and Financial Officer

With a copy to:

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

200 East Randolph Drive

Facsimile No.: (312) 361-2200

Attention: Dennis M. Myers, P.C.

If to the Trustee:

The Bank of New York Mellon

Corporate Trust Division

101 Barclay Street, 4th Floor East

New York, NY 10286

Facsimile No.: (212) 815-5390

Attention: Corporate Trust Division

 

123


The Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

All notices and communications to the Trustee or any Agent shall be deemed to have been duly given upon actual receipt thereof by such party. All other notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) will be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if transmitted by facsimile; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

Any notice or communication to a Holder of a Global Note will be delivered to the Depositary in accordance with its customary procedures. Any notice or communication to a Holder of a Definitive Note will be mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it will not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

Except with respect to the Trustee and the Agents, if a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

In respect of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not have any duty or obligation to verify or confirm that the Person sending instructions, directions, reports, notices or other communications or information by electronic transmission is, in fact, a Person authorized to give such instructions, directions, reports, notices or other communications or information on behalf of the party purporting to send such electronic transmission; and the Trustee shall not have any liability for any losses, liabilities, costs or expenses incurred or sustained by any party as a result of such reliance upon or compliance with such instructions, directions, reports, notices or other communications or information. Each other party agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of electronic methods, including any non-secure method, such as, but without limitation, by facsimile or electronic mail, to submit instructions, directions, reports, notices or other communications or information to the Trustee, including without limitation, the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, notices, reports or other communications or information, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties.

If the Company mails a notice or communication to Holders, it will mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

Section 12.03 Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes .

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

 

124


Section 12.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent .

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

(i) an Officers’ Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and

(ii) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.

Section 12.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion .

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA § 314(a)(4)) must comply with the provisions of TIA § 314(e) and must include:

(i) a statement substantially to the effect that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

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

(iii) a statement substantially to the effect that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been satisfied; and

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

Section 12.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents .

 

125


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

Section 12.07 No Personal Liability of Directors , Officers , Employees and Stockholders .

No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its direct or indirect parent companies, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any Guarantor under any Notes, any Indenture, the Guarantees, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of such Notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws, and it is the view of the Commission that such waiver is against public policy.

Section 12.08 Governing Law .

THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE GUARANTEES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

Section 12.09 Jurisdiction ; Waiver of Jury Trial .

(a) Each of the Company and the Guarantors hereby consents to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any court of the State of New York or any U.S. Federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, New York, United States, and any appellate court from any thereof in any action or proceeding arising out of or related to the Notes, this Indenture or the Guarantees. Each of the Company and the Guarantors hereby appoints C T Corporation System located at 111 8th Avenue, New York, New York as its authorized agent upon which service of process may be served in any action or proceeding brought in any court of the State of New York or any U.S. Federal court sitting in The City of New York in connection with this Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees.

(b) EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES, THE GUARANTEES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.

Section 12.10 Waiver of Immunities .

To the extent that the Company or any Guarantor may in any jurisdiction claim for itself or its assets immunity from a suit, execution, attachment, whether in aid of execution,

 

126


before judgment or otherwise, or other legal process in connection with and as set out in this Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees and to the extent that in any jurisdiction there may be immunity attributed to the Company or the Guarantors or the Company’s or any Guarantor’s assets, whether or not claimed, the Company or any Guarantor, as applicable, irrevocably agrees for the benefit of the Holders not to claim, and irrevocably waives, the immunity to the full extent permitted by law.

Section 12.11 Currency Rate Indemnity .

The Company agrees that, if a judgment or order made by any court for the payment of any amount in respect of any Notes is expressed in a currency other than U.S. dollars, the Company will indemnify the relevant Holder against any deficiency arising from any variation in rates of exchange between the date as of which the U.S. dollars currency is notionally converted into the judgment currency for the purposes of the judgment or order and the date of actual payment. This indemnity will constitute a separate and independent obligation from the Company’s other obligations under this Indenture, will give rise to a separate and independent cause of action, will apply irrespective of any indulgence granted from time to time and will continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any judgment or order for a liquidated sum or sums in respect of amounts due under this Indenture or the Notes.

Section 12.12 Successors .

All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Notes will bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture will bind its successors. All agreements of each Guarantor in this Indenture will bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.04 hereof.

Section 12.13 Severability .

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, then (to the extent permitted by applicable law) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 12.14 Counterpart Originals .

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy will be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

Section 12.15 Table of Contents, Headings, Etc .

The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and Headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be

 

127


considered a part of this Indenture and will in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

[ Signatures on following page ]

 

128


Dated as of May 12, 2011

 

SIGNATURES
SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
By:   /s/ Jeffrey Cote
  Name:   Jeffrey Cote
  Title:   Attorney-in-Fact
SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
By:   /s/ Jeffrey Cote
  Name:   Jeffrey Cote
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer
SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES
MASSACHUSETTS, INC.
By:   /s/ Jeffrey Cote
  Name:   Jeffrey Cote
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer
SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES HOLDING
COMPANY U.S., B.V.
By:   /s/ Jeffrey Cote
  Name:   Jeffrey Cote
  Title:   Attorney-in-Fact
SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES HOLLAND, B.V.
By:   /s/ Jeffrey Cote
  Name:   Jeffrey Cote
  Title:   Attorney-in-Fact


SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES HOLDING
COMPANY MEXICO, B.V.
By:   /s/ Jeffrey Cote
  Name:   Jeffrey Cote
  Title:   Attorney-in-Fact
SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES DE MÉXICO, S.
DE R.L. DE C.V.
By:   /s/ Santiago Sepulveda
  Name:   Santiago Sepulveda
  Title:   Attorney-in-Fact
SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES JAPAN
LIMITED
By:   /s/ Hidehiko Ito
  Name:   Hidehiko Ito
  Title:   Representative Director
SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES MALAYSIA SDN
BHD
By:   /s/ Koh Beng Hock
  Name:   Koh Beng Hock
  Title:   Director


THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON ,

as Trustee, Registrar and Paying Agent

By:   /s/ Catherine F. Donohue
  Name:   Catherine F. Donohue
  Title:   Vice President


EXHIBIT A

[Face of Note]

[Insert legends required by the Indenture]

 

A-1


CUSIP No. 144A: 81725W AF0 REG S: N78840 AG5

ISIN 144A: US81725WAF05 REG S: USN78840AG59

6.5% Senior Notes due 2019

 

No.             

   $                

SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES B.V.

promise to pay to CEDE & CO. or registered assigns, the principal sum of                              DOLLARS on May 15, 2019.

Interest Payment Dates: May 15 and November 15, commencing November 15, 2011

Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this Note.

Record Dates: May 1 and November 1

Dated: May 12, 2011

 

A-2


SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
By:    
  Name:  
  Title:  

Dated: May 12, 2011

 

A-3


Dated: May 12, 2011

This is one of the Notes referred to

in the within-mentioned Indenture:

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, as Trustee
By:    
  Authorized Signatory

 

A-4


[Reverse of Note]

6.5% Senior Notes due 2019

Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

(1) INTEREST . Sensata Technologies B.V., a private company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands (the “ Company ”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 6.5% per annum from May 12, 2011 until maturity. The Company will pay interest, if any, semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “ Interest Payment Date ”). Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from May 12, 2011 until the principal hereof is due. The first Interest Payment Date shall be November 15, 2011. The Company will pay interest on overdue principal at the rate borne by the Notes, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

(2) METHOD OF PAYMENT . The Company will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the May 1 or November 1 next preceding the Interest Payment Date (whether or not a Business Day), even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. If a Holder has given wire transfer instructions to the Paying Agent on behalf of the Company, the Paying Agent will remit all principal, interest and premium, if any, on that Holder’s Notes in accordance with these instructions. All other payments on the Notes will be made by mailing a check to the registered address of each Holder thereof. Such payment will be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

(3) PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR . Initially, The Bank of New York Mellon, as the Trustee, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

(4) INDENTURE . The Company issued the Notes under the Indenture dated as of May 12, 2011 (the “ Indenture ”) among the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the TIA. Terms defined in the Indenture and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture. The Notes are subject to all the terms and provisions of the Indenture, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and the TIA for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

 

A-5


The Notes are unsecured senior obligations of the Company. This Note is one of the Initial Notes referred to in the Indenture. The Notes include the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes issued in exchange for Initial Notes or Additional Notes pursuant to the Indenture. The Initial Notes and any Additional Notes are treated as a single class of securities under the Indenture. The Indenture imposes certain limitations on the ability of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries to, among other things, make certain Investments and other Restricted Payments, pay dividends and other distributions, incur Indebtedness, enter into consensual restrictions upon the payment of certain dividends and distributions by such Restricted Subsidiaries, enter into or permit certain transactions with Affiliates, create or incur Liens and make asset sales. The Indenture also imposes limitations on the ability of the Company and each Guarantor to consolidate or merge with or into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its property.

To guarantee the due and punctual payment of the principal and interest on the Notes and all other amounts payable by the Company under the Indenture and the Notes when and as the same shall be due and payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, according to the terms of the Notes and the Indenture, the Guarantors have, jointly and severally, unconditionally guaranteed the Obligations of the Company under the Notes on an unsecured senior basis pursuant to the terms of the Indenture.

(5) OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

(a) At any time prior to May 15, 2014, the Company may, at its option, on one or more occasions redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes issued under the Indenture (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes, as the case may be), at a redemption price equal to 106.500% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the applicable redemption date, subject to the right of Holders on the record date to receive interest due on the interest payment date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings ( provided, that if the Equity Offering is an offering by any direct or indirect parent company of the Company, a portion of the net cash proceeds thereof equal to the amount required to redeem any such Notes is contributed to the equity capital of the Company), or the Net Proceeds of one or more Designated Asset Sales; provided, however, that

(1) at least 50% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) must remain outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption (excluding in such calculation, Notes held by the Company or any of its Affiliates); and

(2) the redemption occurs within 90 days of the date of closing of such Equity Offering or Designated Asset Sale, as the case may be.

(b) Except pursuant to Section 3.07(a), (c), (d) or (e) of the Indenture, the Notes will not be redeemable at the Company’s option prior to May 15, 2014; provided, however , the Company may acquire the Notes by means other than a redemption.

 

A-6


(c) On or after May 15, 2015, the Company may redeem all or a part of the Notes, at its option upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to be redeemed to the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the record date to receive interest due on the interest payment date), if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on May 15 of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2015

     103.250

2016

     101.625

2017 and thereafter

     100.000

(d) At any time prior to May 15, 2015, the Notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest to, the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the record date to receive interest due on the interest payment date).

(e) The Company may, at its option, redeem the Notes, in whole but not in part, at any time upon not less than 15 days’ nor more than 30 days’ notice to the Holders (which notice shall be irrevocable and given in accordance with Section 3.03 and Section 3.04), at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the redemption date, premium, if any, and all Additional Amounts, if any, then due and which will become due on the date of redemption as a result of the redemption or otherwise, if the Company determines in good faith that the Company or any Guarantor is, or on the next date on which any amount would be payable in respect of the Notes, would be obligated to pay Additional Amounts in respect of the Notes pursuant to the terms and conditions thereof, which the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, cannot avoid by the use of reasonable measures available to it (including, without limitation, making payment through a paying agent located in another jurisdiction), as a result of:

(1) any change in, or amendment to, the laws (or any regulations or rulings promulgated thereunder) of any Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction affecting taxation which becomes effective on or after the Issue Date or, in the case of a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction that arises after the Issue Date, the date on which such Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction became a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction under the Indenture (or, in the case of a successor Person, after the date of assumption by the successor person of the obligations thereunder); or

(2) any change in the official application, administration, or interpretation of the laws, regulations or rulings of any Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction (including a holding, judgment, or order by a court of competent jurisdiction), on or after the Issue Date or, in the case of a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction has changed since the Issue Date, the date on which such Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction became a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction under the Indenture (or, in the case of a successor Person, after the date of assumption by the successor person of the obligations thereunder).

 

A-7


Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may not redeem the Notes under this provision if a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction changes and the Company is obligated to pay Additional Amounts as a result of a Change in Tax Law of such Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction which was officially announced at the time the latter became a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such notice of redemption will be given (a) earlier than 90 days prior to the earliest date on which the Company or any Guarantor, would be obliged to make such payment of Additional Amounts or withholding if a payment in respect of the Notes or the relevant Guarantee, as the case may be, were then due and (b) unless at the time such notice is given, the obligation to pay Additional Amounts remains in effect.

(f) The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

(g) Except for redemption pursuant to clause (e) above, notices of redemption will be mailed by first-class mail at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at its registered address, except that (x) redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture and (y) redemption notices may be mailed less than 30 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a redemption using the Net Proceeds of one or more Designated Asset Sales. Notices of redemption may not be conditional.

(6) REPURCHASE AT THE OPTION OF HOLDER .

(a) If a Change of Control occurs, unless the Company at such time has given notice of redemption with respect to all outstanding Notes, each Holder will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (in a principal amount equal to the Minimum Dollar Denomination (as defined in paragraph (7) below) or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of that Holder’s Notes pursuant to a change of control offer (the “ Change of Control Offer ”) on the terms set forth in the Indenture. In the Change of Control Offer, the Company will offer a Change of Control Payment in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes repurchased, to the date of purchase. Within 30 days following any Change of Control, unless the Company at such time has given notice of redemption with respect to all outstanding Notes, the Company will mail a notice to each Holder describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control and offering to repurchase Notes 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.

(b) Any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale not applied or invested in accordance with the Indenture within 365 days from the date of the receipt of such Net Proceeds shall constitute “ Excess Proceeds .” If the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $20.0 million, the Company, or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, will make an offer (an “ Asset Sale Offer ”) to all Holders and Indebtedness that ranks pari passu with such Notes and contains provisions similar to those set forth in the Indenture with respect to offers to purchase with the

 

A-8


proceeds of sales of assets to purchase, on a pro rata basis, the maximum principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds. The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer will be equal to 100% of principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase, and will be payable in cash.

(7) DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE . The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 or, if greater at the Issue Date, the dollar equivalent of €1,000 rounded up to the nearest $1,000 (the “ Minimum Dollar Denomination ”) and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the corresponding Interest Payment Date.

(8) PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS . The registered Holder of a Note shall be treated as its owner for all purposes.

(9) AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER . Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Notes or the Guarantees may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Company and Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, including Additional Notes, if any, voting as a single class, and any existing Default or Event or Default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes or the Guarantees may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, including Additional Notes, if any, voting as a single class. Without the consent of any Holder of a Note, the Indenture or the Notes or the Guarantees may be amended or supplemented:

(i) to cure any ambiguity, mistake, defect or inconsistency;

(ii) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;

(iii) to provide for the assumption by a Successor Company or a successor company of a Guarantor, as applicable, of the Company’s or such Guarantor’s obligations under the Indenture;

(iv) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders or that does not adversely affect the legal rights hereunder of any Holder;

(v) to secure the Notes;

(vi) to comply with requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the TIA;

 

A-9


(vii) to add a Guarantee of the Notes;

(viii) to conform the text of the Indenture or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of the Notes” included in the Offering Memorandum relating to the Notes;

(ix) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the provisions set forth in the Indenture on the Issue Date; or

(x) to release a Guarantor upon its sale or designation as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or other permitted release from its Guarantee; provided, that such sale, designation or release is in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture,

provided, that the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel and an Officers’ Certificate, each stating that such amendment or supplement complies with the provisions of the Indenture.

(10) DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES . If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes, rescind an acceleration or waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest or premium, if any, on, or the principal of, the Notes. The Company is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Company is required, upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default.

(11) DISCHARGE AND DEFEASANCE . Subject to certain conditions, the Company at any time may terminate some or all of its obligations under the Notes, the Guarantees and the Indenture if the Company deposits with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Securities for the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be.

(12) TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH COMPANY . The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

(13) NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS . No past, present or future director, manager, officer, employee, incorporator, stockholder or member of the Company, the Parent or

 

A-10


any Subsidiary, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Indenture, the Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

(14) AUTHENTICATION . This Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

(15) ABBREVIATIONS . Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

(16) CUSIP NUMBERS, ISINS . The Company has caused CUSIP numbers and ISINs to be printed on the Notes, and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers and ISINs in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption, and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

(17) GOVERNING LAW. THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE, THIS NOTE AND THE GUARANTEES.

(18) JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . (a) Each of the Company and the Guarantors hereby consents to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any court of the State of New York or any U.S. Federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, New York, United States, and any appellate court from any thereof in any action or proceeding arising out of or related to this Note, the Indenture or the Guarantees. Each of the Company and the Guarantors hereby C T Corporation System located at 111 8th Avenue, New York, New York as its authorized agent upon which service of process may be served in any action or proceeding brought in any court of the State of New York or any U.S. Federal court sitting in The City of New York in connection with the Indenture, this Note or the Guarantees.

(b) EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE INDENTURE, THIS NOTE, THE GUARANTEES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.

(19) WAIVER OF IMMUNITIES . To the extent that the Company or any Guarantor may in any jurisdiction claim for itself or its assets immunity from a suit, execution, attachment, whether in aid of execution, before judgment or otherwise, or other legal process in connection with and as set out in the Indenture, this Note or the Guarantees and to the extent that in any jurisdiction there may be immunity attributed to the Company or the Guarantors or the Company’s or any Guarantor’s assets, whether or not claimed, the Company or any Guarantor,

 

A-11


as applicable, irrevocably agrees for the benefit of the Holders not to claim, and irrevocably waives, the immunity to the full extent permitted by law.

(20) CURRENCY RATE INDEMNITY . The Company agrees that, if a judgment or order made by any court for the payment of any amount in respect of any Notes is expressed in a currency other than U.S. dollars, the Company will indemnify the relevant Holder against any deficiency arising from any variation in rates of exchange between the date as of which the U.S. dollars currency is notionally converted into the judgment currency for the purposes of the judgment or order and the date of actual payment. This indemnity will constitute a separate and independent obligation from the Company’s other obligations under the Indenture, will give rise to a separate and independent cause of action, will apply irrespective of any indulgence granted from time to time and will continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any judgment or order for a liquidated sum or sums in respect of amounts due under the Indenture or the Notes.

The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to:

Sensata Technologies B.V.,

c/o Sensata Technologies Inc.

529 Pleasant Street

Attleboro, Massachusetts

Facsimile No.: (508) 236-3800

Attention: Chief Administrative and Financial Officer

 

A-12


ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to: ______________________________________________________________________

(Insert assignee’s legal name)

 
(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)
 
 
 
 
(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint ______________________________________________________________________ to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

Date:                     

 

Your Signature:    
  (Sign exactly as your name
appears on the face of this Note)

Signature Guarantee*:                                                  

 

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-13


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.15 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

¨        Section 4.10                                                                                                   ¨        Section 4.15

If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.15 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

$                     

Date:                     

 

Your Signature:    
  (Sign exactly as your name
appears on the face of this Note)
Tax Identification No.:    

Signature Guarantee*:                                                          

 

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-14


SCHEDULE OF INCREASES AND DECREASES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE

[To be inserted for Rule 144A Global Note ]

The following transfer or exchange of a part of this Rule 144A Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Rule 144A Global Note, or to reflect a redemption or repurchase of the Notes and cancellation, have been made:

 

Date of Increase or

Decrease

   Amount of
decrease in
Principal Amount
at Maturity
of
this Global Note
   Amount of
increase in
Principal Amount
at Maturity
of
this Global Note
   Principal Amount
at Maturity
of this Global Note
following such
decrease
(or increase)
   Signature of
authorized officer
of Trustee or
Custodian

[To be inserted for Regulation S Global Note]

The following transfer or exchange of a part of this Regulation S Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note or of other Restricted Global Notes or Definitive Note for an interest in this Regulation S Global Note, or to reflect a redemption or repurchase of the Notes and cancellation, have been made:

 

Date of Increase or

Decrease

   Amount of
decrease in
Principal Amount
at Maturity
of
this Global Note
   Amount of
increase in
Principal Amount
at Maturity
of
this Global Note
   Principal Amount
at Maturity
of this Global Note
following such
decrease
(or increase)
   Signature of
authorized officer
of Trustee or
Custodian

 

A-15


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

Sensata Technologies B.V.

c/o Sensata Technologies, Inc.

529 Pleasant Street

Attleboro, Massachusetts

Facsimile No.: (508) 236-3800

Attention: Chief Administrative and Financial Officer

The Bank of New York Mellon

Corporate Trust Division

101 Barclay Street, 4th Floor East

New York, NY 10286

Facsimile No.: (212) 815-5390

Attention: Corporate Trust Division

Re: 6.5% Senior Notes due 2019

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of May 12, 2011 (the “ Indenture ”), among Sensata Technologies B.V., a private company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands, as issuer (the “ Company ”), the Guarantors party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York banking corporation, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

                              , (the “ Transferor ”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $                      in such Note[s] or interests (the “ Transfer ”), to                                                       (the “ Transferee ”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:

[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

1. ¨ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Rule 144A . The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the

 

B-1


Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the 144A Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

2. ¨ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in a Legended Regulation S Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Regulation S . The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a Person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person. Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Legended Regulation S Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

3. ¨ Check and complete if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to any provision of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A or Regulation S . The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):

(a) ¨ such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act;

or

(b) ¨ such Transfer is being effected to the Company or a subsidiary thereof;

or

(c) ¨ such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act;

 

B-2


or

(d) ¨ such Transfer is being effected to an Institutional Accredited Investor and pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A, Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904, and the Transferor hereby further certifies that it has not engaged in any general solicitation within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act and the Transfer complies with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in a Restricted Global Note or Restricted Definitive Notes and the requirements of the exemption claimed, which certification is supported by if such Transfer is in respect of a principal amount of Notes at the time of transfer of less than $100,000, an Opinion of Counsel provided by the Transferor or the Transferee (a copy of which the Transferor has attached to this certification), to the effect that such Transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

4. ¨ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or of an Unrestricted Definitive Note .

(a) ¨ Check if Transfer is pursuant to Rule 144 . (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(b) ¨ Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Regulation S . (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(c) ¨ Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Other Exemption . (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the

 

B-3


Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]

By:    
  Name:
  Title:

Dated:                                 

 

B-4


ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

 

1. The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:

[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]

 

(a) ¨ a beneficial interest in the:

 

  (i) ¨ 144A Global Note (CUSIP _________), or

 

  (ii) ¨ Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP _________); or

 

(b) ¨ a Restricted Definitive Note.

 

2. After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:

[CHECK ONE]

 

(a) ¨ a beneficial interest in the:

 

  (i) ¨ 144A Global Note (CUSIP _________), or

 

  (ii) ¨ Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP _________), or

 

  (iii) ¨ Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP _________); or

 

(b) ¨ a Restricted Definitive Note; or

 

(c) ¨ an Unrestricted Definitive Note,

in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

B-5


EXHIBIT C

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

Sensata Technologies B.V.

c/o Sensata Technologies, Inc.

529 Pleasant Street

Attleboro, Massachusetts

Facsimile No.: (508) 236-3800

Attention: Chief Administrative and Financial Officer

The Bank of New York Mellon

Corporate Trust Division

101 Barclay Street, 4th Floor East

New York, NY 10286

Facsimile No.: (212) 815-5390

Attention: Corporate Trust Division

Re: 6.5% Senior Notes due 2019

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of May 12, 2011 (the “ Indenture ”), among Sensata Technologies B.V., a private company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands, as issuer (the “ Company ”), the Guarantors party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York banking corporation, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

                                                  , (the “ Owner ”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of $                      (CUSIP                      ; ISIN                      ) in such Note[s] or interests (the “ Exchange ”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:

1. Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Unrestricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note

(a) ¨ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note . In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

C-1


(b) ¨ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note . In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

(c) ¨ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note . In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

(d) ¨ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note . In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

2. Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes for Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes

(a) ¨ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Restricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

C-2


(b) ¨ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note . In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE] ¨ 144A Global Note, Regulation S Global Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]

By:    
  Name:
  Title:

Dated:                     

 

C-3


EXHIBIT D

FORM OF NOTATION OF GUARANTEE

For value received, each Guarantor (which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture) has, jointly and severally, unconditionally guaranteed, to the extent set forth in and subject to the provisions in the Indenture dated as of May 12, 2011 (the “ Indenture ”) among Sensata Technologies B.V., a private company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands, the guarantors party thereto, and The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York banking corporation, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”), (a) prompt payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest and defaulted interest, if any, on the Notes (as defined in the Indenture) when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and the prompt payment of interest on overdue principal, premium, if any, and interest and defaulted interest, if any, on the Notes (pursuant to Section 2.12 of the Indenture), if lawful (subject in all cases to any applicable grace periods provided in the Indenture and the Notes) when due, and all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee under the Indenture and the Notes will be promptly paid in full, all in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Notes and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, the same will be promptly paid in full when due in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. The obligations of the Guarantors to the Holders of Notes and to the Trustee pursuant to this Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article 10 of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of this Guarantee. Each Holder of a Note, by accepting the same, agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

D-1


IN WITNESS HEREOF, each Guarantor has caused this Notation of Guarantee to be signed manually or by facsimile by its duly authorized officer.

 

[NAME OF GUARANTOR]

 

D-2


EXHIBIT E

[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS]

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “ Supplemental Indenture ”), dated as of                              , 200      , among                              (the “ New Guarantor ”), a subsidiary of Sensata Technologies B.V., a private company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands ( the Company ”), the Company, the existing Guarantors and The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York banking corporation, as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (the “ Trustee ”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Company and the existing Guarantors have heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “ Indenture ”), dated as of May 12, 2011 providing for the issuance of 6.5% Senior Notes due 2019 (the “ Notes ”);

WHEREAS, Section 4.17 of the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the New Guarantor shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the New Guarantor shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Company’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein (the “ Guarantee ”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee, the Company and the existing Guarantors are authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the New Guarantor, the Company and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

1. DEFINED TERMS. Defined terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

2. AGREEMENT TO GUARANTEE. The New Guarantor hereby agrees, jointly and severally with all existing Guarantors (if any), to provide an unconditional guarantee on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Article 10 of the Indenture and to be bound by all other applicable provisions of the Indenture, and the Notes and to perform all of the obligations and agreements of a Guarantor under the Indenture.

3. NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. No past, present or future director, manager, officer, employee, incorporator, stockholder or member of the Company, any parent entity of the Company or any Subsidiary, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Indenture, the Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each

 

E-1


Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

4. NOTICES. All notices or other communications to the New Guarantor shall be given as provided in Section 12.02 of the Indenture.

5. RATIFICATION OF INDENTURE; SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES PART OF INDENTURE. Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every Holder heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby.

6. GOVERNING LAW. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE GUARANTEES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

7. COUNTERPARTS. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

8. EFFECT OF HEADINGS. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

9. TRUSTEE MAKES NO REPRESENTATION. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of the Guarantee of the new Guarantor or this Supplemental Indenture.

 

E-2


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

Dated:                      , 20       

 

[NEW GUARANTOR]
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

[EXISTING GUARANTORS]
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
    as Trustee
By:    
  Authorized Signatory

 

E-3

Exhibit 10.1

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

Dated as of May 12, 2011

among

SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES B.V.

as BV Borrower

SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES FINANCE COMPANY, LLC

as US Borrower

SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES INTERMEDIATE HOLDING B.V.

as Parent

MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.

as Administrative Agent

THE INITIAL L/C ISSUER AND INITIAL SWING LINE LENDER NAMED HEREIN

As Initial L/C Issuer and Initial Swing Line Lender

THE OTHER LENDERS PARTY HERETO

 

 

MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.

BARCLAYS CAPITAL

as Joint Lead Arrangers

 

 

MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.

BARCLAYS CAPITAL

GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA

BMO CAPITAL MARKETS*

RBC CAPITAL MARKETS+

as Joint Bookrunners

 

 

BARCLAYS CAPITAL

as Syndication Agent

 

 

GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA

BANK OF MONTREAL

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA

MIZUHO CORPORATE BANK, LTD.

RAYMOND JAMES BANK, FSB

CRÉDIT INDUSTRIEL ET COMMERCIAL

as Co-Documentation Agents

 

 

 

 

* BMO Capital Markets is a trade name for the Bank of Montreal.
+ RBC Capital Markets is a brand name for the capital markets activities of Royal Bank of Canada and its affiliates.

 

Credit Agreement


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  
ARTICLE 1   
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS   

SECTION 1.01. Defined Terms

     1   

SECTION 1.02. Other Interpretive Provisions

     47   

SECTION 1.03. Accounting Terms

     47   

SECTION 1.04. Rounding

     48   

SECTION 1.05. References to Agreements and Laws

     48   

SECTION 1.06. Times of Day

     48   

SECTION 1.07. Timing of Payment or Performance

     48   

SECTION 1.08. Currency Equivalents Generally

     48   

SECTION 1.09. Certain Calculations

     49   
ARTICLE 2   
THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS   

SECTION 2.01. The Loans

     49   

SECTION 2.02. Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans

     50   

SECTION 2.03. Letters of Credit

     51   

SECTION 2.04. Swing Line Loans

     59   

SECTION 2.05. Prepayments

     62   

SECTION 2.06. Termination or Reduction of Revolving Credit Commitments

     72   

SECTION 2.07. Repayment of Loans

     73   

SECTION 2.08. Interest

     73   

SECTION 2.09. Fees

     74   

SECTION 2.10. Computation of Interest and Fees

     74   

SECTION 2.11. Evidence of Indebtedness

     75   

SECTION 2.12. Payments Generally

     75   

SECTION 2.13. Sharing of Payments

     77   

SECTION 2.14. Increase in Commitments

     78   

SECTION 2.15. [Intentionally omitted]

     80   

SECTION 2.16. Currency Equivalents

     80   

SECTION 2.17. Refinancing Amendments

     80   

SECTION 2.18. Extensions of Loans and Commitments

     81   
ARTICLE 3   
TAXES, INCREASED COSTS PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY   

SECTION 3.01. Taxes

     83   

SECTION 3.02. Illegality

     86   

SECTION 3.03. Inability to Determine Rates

     86   

 

Credit Agreement

i


SECTION 3.04. Increased Cost and Reduced Return; Capital Adequacy; Reserves on Eurodollar Rate Loans

     86   

SECTION 3.05. Funding Losses

     88   

SECTION 3.06. Matters Applicable to Requests for Compensation

     88   

SECTION 3.07. Replacement of Lenders Under Certain Circumstances

     89   

SECTION 3.08. Survival

     90   
ARTICLE 4   
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT   

SECTION 4.01. Conditions Precedent to Initial Credit Extension

     90   

SECTION 4.02. Conditions to All Credit Extensions After the Closing Date

     92   
ARTICLE 5   
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES   

SECTION 5.01. Existence, Qualification and Power; Compliance with Laws

     93   

SECTION 5.02. Authorization; No Contravention

     93   

SECTION 5.03. Governmental Authorization; Other Consents

     93   

SECTION 5.04. Binding Effect

     94   

SECTION 5.05. Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect

     94   

SECTION 5.06. Litigation

     95   

SECTION 5.07. Ownership of Property; Liens

     95   

SECTION 5.08. Environmental Compliance

     95   

SECTION 5.09. Taxes

     96   

SECTION 5.10. ERISA Compliance

     97   

SECTION 5.11. Subsidiaries; Equity Interests

     97   

SECTION 5.12. Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act

     97   

SECTION 5.13. Disclosure

     98   

SECTION 5.14. Intellectual Property, Licenses, Etc.

     98   

SECTION 5.15. Solvency

     98   

SECTION 5.16. Perfection, Mortgages, Etc.

     98   

SECTION 5.17. Compliance with Laws Generally

     99   

SECTION 5.18. Labor Matters

     99   
ARTICLE 6   
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS   

SECTION 6.01. Financial Statements

     99   

SECTION 6.02. Certificates; Other Information

     100   

SECTION 6.03. Notices

     102   

SECTION 6.04. Payment of Obligations

     102   

SECTION 6.05. Preservation of Existence, Etc.

     102   

SECTION 6.06. Maintenance of Properties

     103   

 

Credit Agreement

ii


SECTION 6.07. Maintenance of Insurance

     103   

SECTION 6.08. Compliance with Laws

     103   

SECTION 6.09. Books and Records

     103   

SECTION 6.10. Inspection Rights

     103   

SECTION 6.11. Use of Proceeds

     104   

SECTION 6.12. Covenant to Guarantee Obligations and Give Security

     104   

SECTION 6.13. Compliance with Environmental Laws

     106   

SECTION 6.14. Further Assurances

     106   

SECTION 6.15. Designation of Subsidiaries

     107   

SECTION 6.16. Maintenance of Ratings

     107   

SECTION 6.17. Junior Financing Documentation

     107   

SECTION 6.18. Certain Tax Matters

     107   

SECTION 6.19. Post-Closing Covenant

     107   
ARTICLE 7   
NEGATIVE COVENANTS   

SECTION 7.01. Liens

     108   

SECTION 7.02. Investments

     111   

SECTION 7.03. Indebtedness

     114   

SECTION 7.04. Fundamental Changes

     117   

SECTION 7.05. Dispositions

     118   

SECTION 7.06. Restricted Payments

     120   

SECTION 7.07. Change in Nature of Business

     123   

SECTION 7.08. Transactions with Affiliates

     123   

SECTION 7.09. Burdensome Agreements

     124   

SECTION 7.10. Holding Company

     125   

SECTION 7.11. Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio

     125   

SECTION 7.12. Amendments of Certain Documents

     126   

SECTION 7.13. Accounting Changes

     126   

SECTION 7.14. Prepayments, Etc. of Subordinated Indebtedness

     126   

SECTION 7.15. Designated Senior Debt

     126   

SECTION 7.16. Capital Expenditures

     126   

SECTION 7.17. Partnership, Etc.

     127   
ARTICLE 8   
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES   

SECTION 8.01. Events of Default

     127   

SECTION 8.02. Remedies Upon Event of Default

     130   

SECTION 8.03. Application of Funds

     131   

SECTION 8.04. Permitted Holders’ Right to Cure

     131   

 

Credit Agreement

iii


ARTICLE 9   
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND OTHER AGENTS   

SECTION 9.01. Authorization and Action

     132   

SECTION 9.02. Agents’ Reliance, Etc.

     133   
SECTION 9.03. Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Bank of Montreal, Royal Bank of Canada, Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd., Raymond James Bank, FSB and Crédit Industriel et Commercial and Affiliates      134   

SECTION 9.04. Lender Credit Decision

     134   

SECTION 9.05. Indemnification

     134   

SECTION 9.06. Successor Agents

     135   

SECTION 9.07. Other Agents; Arrangers and Managers

     136   
ARTICLE 10   
MISCELLANEOUS   

SECTION 10.01. Amendments, Etc.

     136   

SECTION 10.02. Notices and Other Communications; Facsimile Copies

     138   

SECTION 10.03. No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies

     139   

SECTION 10.04. Attorney Costs, Expenses and Taxes

     140   

SECTION 10.05. Indemnification by the Borrowers

     140   

SECTION 10.06. Payments Set Aside

     141   

SECTION 10.07. Successors and Assigns

     141   

SECTION 10.08. Confidentiality

     146   

SECTION 10.09. Setoff

     147   

SECTION 10.10. Interest Rate Limitation

     147   

SECTION 10.11. Counterparts

     147   

SECTION 10.12. Integration

     148   

SECTION 10.13. Survival of Representations and Warranties

     148   

SECTION 10.14. Severability

     148   

SECTION 10.15. Tax Forms

     148   

SECTION 10.16. Process Agent

     150   

SECTION 10.17. GOVERNING LAW

     150   

SECTION 10.18. WAIVER OF RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY

     151   

SECTION 10.19. Binding Effect

     151   

SECTION 10.20. USA Patriot Act Notice

     151   

SECTION 10.21. Supplemental Obligations

     151   

SECTION 10.22. Affiliate Activities

     152   

SECTION 10.23. No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility

     152   

SECTION 10.24. Judgment Currency

     153   

 

Credit Agreement

iv


SIGNATURES    S-1
SCHEDULES   

I

   Guarantors

II

   Foreign Security Agreements

III

   Dutch Security Documents

1.01

   Permitted Reorganization

2.01

   Commitments

5.06

   Disclosed Litigation

5.07(c)

   Material Real Properties Pledged as Collateral

5.10(b)

   Material ERISA Claims, Actions, Suits, or Action by Governmental Authority

5.10(c)

   ERISA Events or Material Liabilities

5.11

   Subsidiaries

5.14

   IP Rights

7.01(b)

   Existing Liens

7.02(f)

   Existing Investments

7.03(c)(i)

   Existing Indebtedness

7.05(t)

   Permitted Dispositions

7.08

   Transactions with Affiliates

7.09

   Burdensome Agreements

10.02

   Administrative Agent’s Office, Certain Addresses for Notices
EXHIBITS   

Form of

  

A

   Committed Loan Notice

B

   Swing Line Loan Notice

C-1

   Term Note

C-2

   Revolving Credit Note

C-3

   Swing Line Note

D

   Compliance Certificate

E

   Assignment and Assumption

F-1

   Domestic Guaranty

F-2

   Foreign Guaranty

F-3

   BV Guaranty

G

   Domestic Security Agreement

H-1

   Kirkland & Ellis LLP Opinion

H-2

   Loyens Loeff and Van Doorne Opinions

I

   Administrative Questionnaire

J

   Discount Range Prepayment Notice

K

   Discount Range Prepayment Offer

L

   Specified Discount Prepayment Notice

M

   Specified Discount Prepayment Response

N

   Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice

O

   Acceptance and Prepayment Notice

P

   Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer

Q

   Solvency Certificate

 

Credit Agreement

v


CREDIT AGREEMENT

This CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of May 12, 2011 among SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES B.V., a besloten vennootschap organized under the laws of the Netherlands (the “ BV Borrower ”), SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES FINANCE COMPANY, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ US Borrower ”), SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES INTERMEDIATE HOLDING B.V., a besloten vennootschap organized under the laws of the Netherlands (the “ Parent ”), each lender from time to time party hereto (collectively, the “ Lenders ” and individually, each a “ Lender ”), the Initial L/C Issuer, the Initial Swing Line Lender and MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., as Administrative Agent.

PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS

The Borrowers have requested that (a) the Term Lenders make Term Loans to the Borrowers in an aggregate principal amount of $1,100,000,000 to (i) consummate the repayments contemplated by the Transactions and (ii) pay the fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions, and (b) from time to time, the Revolving Credit Lenders lend to the Borrowers and the L/C Issuer issue Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrowers and the Restricted Subsidiaries under an up to $250,000,000 Revolving Credit Facility.

The applicable Lenders have indicated their willingness to lend and the L/C Issuer has indicated its willingness to so issue Letters of Credit, in each case, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

SECTION 1.01. Defined Terms . As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

Acceptable Discount ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05(a)(iv)(D)(2) .

Acceptable Prepayment Amount ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05(a)(iv)(D)(3) .

Acceptance and Prepayment Notice ” means a notice of any Loan Party’s or any Subsidary of a Loan Party’s acceptance of the Acceptable Discount in substantially the form of Exhibit O .

Acceptance Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05(a)(iv)(D)(2) .

Accepting Lender ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05(b)(vi) .

Additional Commitments Effective Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.14(b) .

Additional Revolving Credit Commitments ” means the commitments of the Additional Revolving Credit Lenders to make Additional Revolving Credit Loans pursuant to Section 2.14 .

 

Credit Agreement


Additional Revolving Credit Lenders ” means the lenders providing the Additional Revolving Credit Commitments.

Additional Revolving Credit Loans ” means any loans made in respect of any Additional Revolving Credit Commitments that shall have been added pursuant to Section 2.14 .

Additional Term Commitments ” means the commitments of the Additional Term Lenders to make Additional Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.14 .

Additional Term Lenders ” means the lenders providing the Additional Term Loans.

Additional Term Loans ” means any loans made in respect of any additional Term Commitments that shall have been added pursuant to Section 2.14 .

Adjusted Consolidated Funded Indebtedness ” means, on any day, the sum of (a) with respect to Consolidated Funded Indebtedness consisting of revolving borrowings, the average daily outstanding amount of such revolving borrowings for the four fiscal quarters most recently ended on or prior to such day (or, if fewer than four full fiscal quarters have elapsed since the Closing Date, for the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of the fiscal quarter most recently ended on or prior to such day) plus (b) with respect to all other Consolidated Funded Indebtedness, the outstanding amount thereof on such day.

Administrative Agent ” means Morgan Stanley in its capacity as administrative agent under any of the Loan Documents, or any successor administrative agent.

Administrative Agent’s Office ” means the Administrative Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 10.02 , or such other address or account as the Administrative Agent may from time to time notify in writing to the Borrowers, the Lenders and the L/C Issuers.

Administrative Questionnaire ” means an Administrative Questionnaire substantially in the form of Exhibit I .

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified; provided that portfolio companies of the Sponsor that are not Subsidiaries of the Parent shall be deemed not to be Affiliates of any Loan Party. “ Control ” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “ Controlling ” and “ Controlled ” have meanings correlative thereto.

Affiliated Debt Fund ” shall mean any Affiliate of Bain Capital Partners, LLC that is a bona fide debt fund or an investment vehicle that in engaged in the making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans, bonds and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of business.

Affiliated Lender ” means, at any time, any Lender that is the Sponsor or Affiliates controlled directly or indirectly by the Sponsor (other than the Borrowers or any of their respective Subsidiaries) at such time.

Agent-Related Persons ” means the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and, in each case, the officers, directors, employees, agents and attorneys-in-fact of such Person.

 

Credit Agreement

2


Agents ” means, collectively, the Administrative Agent, the Syndication Agent and the Co-Documentation Agents.

Aggregate Commitments ” means the Commitments of all the Lenders.

Agreement ” means this Credit Agreement.

Applicable Rate ” means a percentage per annum equal to:

(a) with respect to Term Loans, (A) for Eurodollar Rate Loans, 3.00% and (B) for Base Rate Loans, 2.00%;

(b) with respect to the Revolving Credit Loans, Revolving Credit Commitments and Letter of Credit fees, (i) until receipt by the Administrative Agent of a Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 6.02(b) with respect to the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2011 (A) for Eurodollar Rate Loans and for EURIBOR Loans, 2.50%, (B) for Base Rate Loans, 1.50%, (C) for Letter of Credit fees, 2.50% and (D) for Revolving Credit Commitment Fees, 0.50% and (ii) thereafter, the following percentages per annum, based upon the Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio as set forth in the most recent Compliance Certificate received by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.02(b) :

 

Applicable Rate

Pricing
Level

   Senior Secured Net
Leverage Ratio
   Eurodollar
Rate,
EURIBOR and
Letter of Credit
Fees
  Base Rate   Revolving
Credit
Commitment
Fee Rate

1

   >  1.5:1.0    2.50%   1.50%   0.50%

2

   >  1.0:1.0 but < 1.5:1.0    2.375%   1.375%   0.375%

3

   < 1.0:1.0    2.25%   1.25%   0.25%

Any increase or decrease in the Applicable Rate set forth in subsection (b)  above resulting from a change in the Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio shall become effective as of the first Business Day immediately following the date a Compliance Certificate is delivered pursuant to Section 6.02(b) ; provided that at the option of the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders, pricing level 1 shall apply, (x) as of the first Business Day after the date on which a Compliance Certificate was required to have been delivered but was not delivered, and shall continue to so apply to but excluding the date on which such Compliance Certificate is so delivered (and thereafter the Pricing Level otherwise determined in accordance with this definition shall apply) and (y) as of the first Business Day after an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and shall continue to so apply to but excluding the date on which such Event of Default is cured or waived (and thereafter the Pricing Level otherwise determined in accordance with this definition shall apply); and

 

Credit Agreement

3


(c) with respect to any Additional Term Loans or Additional Revolving Credit Commitments, such amount as may be agreed to by the applicable Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Additional Term Lenders or Additional Revolving Credit Lenders, as the case may be.

Appropriate Lender ” means, at any time, (a) with respect to Loans of any Class, the Lenders of such Class, (b) with respect to the Letter of Credit Sublimit, (i) the L/C Issuer and (ii) if any Letters of Credit have been issued pursuant to Section 2.03(a) , the Revolving Credit Lenders and (c) with respect to the Swing Line Facility, (i) the Swing Line Lender and (ii) if any Swing Line Loans are outstanding pursuant to Section 2.04(a) , the Revolving Credit Lenders.

Approved Domestic Bank ” has the meaning specified in clause (b)  of the definition of “Cash Equivalents”.

Approved Foreign Bank ” has the meaning specified in clause (f)  of the definition of “Cash Equivalents”.

Approved Fund ” means any Fund that is administered, advised or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers, advises or manages a Lender.

Arrangers ” means Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. and Barclays Capital, the investment banking division of Barclays Bank PLC, each in its capacity as a joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner for the Facilities, and Goldman Sachs Bank USA, BMO Capital Markets (trade name of the Bank of Montreal) and RBC Capital Markets (brand name for Royal Bank of Canada and its affiliates), each in its capacity as a joint bookrunner for the Facilities.

Assignment and Assumption ” means an Assignment and Assumption substantially in the form of Exhibit E .

Attorney Costs ” means and includes all reasonable and documented fees, out-of-pocket expenses and out-of-pocket disbursements of any law firm or other external counsel.

Attributable Indebtedness ” means, on any date, in respect of any Capitalized Lease of any Person, the capitalized amount thereof that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP.

Auction Agent ” means (a) the Administrative Agent or (b) any other financial institution or advisor employed by the Borrowers (whether or not an Affiliate of the Administrative Agent) to act as an arranger in connection with any Discounted Loan Prepayment pursuant to Section 2.05(a)(iv) ; provided that the Borrowers shall not designate the Administrative Agent as the Auction Agent without the written consent of the Administrative Agent (it being understood that the Administrative Agent shall be under no obligation to agree to act as the Auction Agent); provided , further , that neither the Borrowers nor any of their Affiliates may act as the Auction Agent.

Auto-Renewal Letter of Credit ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(b)(iii) .

Available Amount ” means, at any time (the “ Reference Date ”) and, in each case, without duplication, the sum of:

(a) the Initial Amount; plus

 

Credit Agreement

4


(b) Excess Cash Flow Not Otherwise Applied; plus

(c) the amount of any capital contributions or cash and Cash Equivalent proceeds from Equity Issuances (or issuances of debt securities converted or convertible into or exchanged or exchangeable for Qualified Equity Interests) received by the Borrower Parties during the period following the Closing Date through and including the Reference Date; plus

(d) the aggregate amount of all cash dividends and other cash distributions received by the Borrower Parties from any Unrestricted Subsidiaries during the period following the Closing Date through and including the Reference Date; plus

(e) the aggregate amount of all cash interest, returns of principal, cash repayments and similar payments received by the Borrower Parties from any Unrestricted Subsidiaries during the period following the Closing Date through and including the Reference Date in respect of loans or advances made by the Borrower Parties to such Unrestricted Subsidiaries; plus

(f) to the extent not required to be applied to prepay Loans in accordance with Section 2.05(b)(i) , the aggregate amount of all cash proceeds received by the Borrower Parties in connection with (x) the sale, transfer or other disposition of its direct or indirect ownership interest (including Equity Interests) in any Unrestricted Subsidiary or (y) the sale, transfer or other disposition of any assets of any Unrestricted Subsidiary, in each case, during the period following the Closing Date through and including the Reference Date; plus

(g) an amount equal to any returns in cash and Cash Equivalents (including dividends, interest, distributions, returns of principal, sale proceeds, repayments, income and similar amounts) actually received by any Borrower Party in respect of any Investments pursuant to Section 7.02 ; provided, that in no case shall such amount exceed the amount of such Investment made using the Available Amount pursuant to Section 7.02(m); plus

(h) the fair market value of any Unrestricted Subsidiaries which are re-designated as Restricted Subsidiaries or merged, liquidated, consolidated or amalgamated into any Borrower Party; minus

(i) the aggregate amount of any Investments made pursuant to Section 7.02 , any Restricted Payment made pursuant to Section 7.06 , any prepayments of Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness made pursuant to Section 7.14 and any Capital Expenditures made pursuant to Section 7.16 during the period following the Closing Date and ending on the Reference Date, in each case to the extent funded from the Available Amount.

Base Rate ” means a fluctuating interest rate per annum in effect from time to time, which rate per annum shall at all times be equal to the highest of:

(i) the rate of interest published by the Wall Street Journal , from time to time, as the “prime rate”;

(ii)  1 / 2 of 1% per annum above the Federal Funds Rate; and

(iii) the Eurodollar Rate for a one month interest period as determined on such day, plus 1.0%.

Base Rate Loan ” means a Loan that bears interest based on the Base Rate.

 

Credit Agreement

5


Bilateral Providers ” has the meaning specified in the Domestic Security Agreement.

Borrower ” means the BV Borrower or the US Borrower, as the context may require, and “ Borrowers ” means, collectively, the BV Borrower and the US Borrower.

Borrower Materials ” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02 .

Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment ” means the offer by the Borrowers to make a voluntary prepayment of Loans at a specified discount to par pursuant to Section 2.05(a)(iv)(B) .

Borrower Parties ” means the collective reference to the BV Borrower, the US Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, and “ Borrower Party ” means any one of them.

Borrower Solicitation of Discount Range Prepayment Offers ” means the solicitation by the Borrowers of offers for, and the corresponding acceptance by a Lender of, a voluntary prepayment of Loans at a specified range of discounts to par pursuant to Section 2.05(a)(iv)(C) .

Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers ” means the solicitation by the Borrowers of offers for, and the subsequent acceptance, if any, by a Lender of, a voluntary prepayment of Loans at a discount to par pursuant to Section 2.05(a)(iv)(D) .

Borrowing ” means a Revolving Credit Borrowing, a Swing Line Borrowing or a Term Borrowing, as the context may require.

Business Day ” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the Laws of, or are in fact closed in (a) when used in relation to any Borrower, the state where the Administrative Agent’s Office and the L/C Issuer’s Office are located and (b) when used in relation to the BV Borrower, the Netherlands, and if such day relates to any interest rate settings as to a Eurodollar Rate Loan or EURIBOR Loan, any fundings, disbursements, settlements and payments in respect of any such Eurodollar Rate Loan, or any other dealings to be carried out pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any such Eurodollar Rate Loan or EURIBOR Loan, means any such day on which dealings in deposits in Dollars or Euros, as the case may be, are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank eurodollar or Euro market, as the case may be.

BV Borrower ” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

BV Guaranty ” means the Guaranty made by the BV Borrower in favor of the Secured Parties, substantially in the form of Exhibit F-3 , in respect of the Obligations of the US Borrower (in its capacity as a Borrower under the Loan Documents).

CapEx Pull-Forward Amount ” has the meaning specified in Section 7.16(b) .

Capital Expenditures ” means, as of any date for the applicable period then ended, all additions to plant, property and equipment and other capital expenditures of the Borrower Parties on a consolidated basis for such period that are required to be set forth in the consolidated statement of cash flows, as determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that Capital Expenditures shall not include any such expenditures which constitute any of the following, without duplication: (a) a Permitted Acquisition, (b) capital expenditures relating to the construction or acquisition of any property which has been transferred to a Person other than a Borrower Party pursuant to a sale-leaseback transaction permitted under Section 7.05(f) , (c) to the extent permitted by this Agreement, a reinvestment of the Net Cash Proceeds of any Disposition in accordance with Section 2.05(b)(i) or Casualty Event, (d) expenditures of any capital

 

Credit Agreement

6


contributions or cash and cash equivalent proceeds from Equity Issuances (or issuances of debt securities converted or convertible into or exchanged or exchangeable for Qualified Equity Interests) received by any Borrower Party, (e) expenditures of proceeds of insurance settlements, condemnation awards and other settlements in respect of lost, destroyed, damaged or condemned assets, equipment or other property to the extent such expenditures are made or committed to be made to replace or repair such lost, destroyed, damaged or condemned assets, equipment or other property or otherwise to acquire, maintain, develop, construct, improve, upgrade or repair assets or properties useful in the business of the Borrower Parties within 12 months of receipt of such proceeds (and if so committed to be made, made no later than 180 days after the end of such 12-month period), (f) interest capitalized during such period, (g) expenditures that are accounted for as capital expenditures of such Person and that actually are paid for by a third party (excluding any Borrower Party) and for which no Borrower Party has provided or is required to provide or incur, directly or indirectly, any consideration or obligation to such third party or any other person (whether before, during or after such period), (h) the book value of any asset owned by such Person prior to or during such period to the extent that such book value is included as a capital expenditure during such period as a result of such Person reusing or beginning to reuse such asset during such period without a corresponding expenditure actually having been made in such period; provided that (i) any expenditure necessary in order to permit such asset to be reused shall be included as a Capital Expenditure during the period that such expenditure actually is made and (ii) such book value shall have been included in Capital Expenditures when such asset was originally acquired, (i) the purchase price of equipment purchased during such period to the extent the consideration therefor consists of any combination of (i) used, worn out, obsolete or surplus equipment traded in at the time of such purchase and (ii) the proceeds of a concurrent sale of used, worn out, obsolete or surplus equipment, in each case, in the ordinary course of business, (j) the purchase price of equipment that is purchased substantially contemporaneously with the trade in of existing equipment to the extent that the gross amount of such purchase price is reduced by the credit granted by the seller of such equipment for the equipment being traded in at such time, (k) any such expenditures which constitute replacement and maintenance programs charged to current results, or (l) any expenditures which are contractually required to be reimbursed to any Borrower Party, in cash, by a third party (including landlords) during such period of calculation.

Capitalized Leases ” means all leases that have been or should be, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as capitalized leases on a balance sheet of the lessee; provided , however , that for the avoidance of doubt, any lease that is accounted for by any Person as an operating lease as of the Closing Date and any similar lease entered into after the Closing Date by any Person may, in the sole discretion of the Borrowers, be accounted for as an operating lease and not as a Capitalized Lease.

Cash Collateral ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(g) .

Cash Collateral Account ” means a deposit account at a commercial bank selected by the Administrative Agent in the name of the Administrative Agent and under the sole dominion and control of the Administrative Agent, and otherwise established in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

Cash Collateralize ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(g) .

Cash Equivalents ” means any of the following types of Investments, to the extent owned by the BV Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries free and clear of all Liens (other than Liens permitted pursuant to any Loan Document):

(a) readily marketable obligations issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States, any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof, having (i) one of the three highest ratings from either Moody’s or S&P

 

Credit Agreement

7


and (ii) maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition thereof; provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support thereof;

(b) time deposits with, or insured certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances of, any commercial bank that (i) is a Lender or (ii)(A) is organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia or is the principal banking subsidiary of a bank holding company organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and is a member of the Federal Reserve System and (B) has combined capital and surplus of at least $250,000,000 (any such bank in the foregoing clauses (i) or (ii) being an “ Approved Domestic Bank ”), in each case with maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition thereof;

(c) commercial paper and variable or fixed rate notes issued by an Approved Domestic Bank (or by the parent company thereof) or any variable rate note issued by, or guaranteed by a domestic corporation rated “A-1” (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or “P-1” (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s, in each case with maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition thereof;

(d) repurchase agreements entered into by any Person with a bank or trust company or recognized securities dealer (including any of the Lenders), in each case, having capital and surplus in excess of $250,000,000 for direct obligations issued by or fully guaranteed or insured by the government or any agency or instrumentality of the United States;

(e) Investments, classified in accordance with GAAP as current assets of the BV Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in money market investment programs registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, which are administered by financial institutions having capital of at least $250,000,000, and the portfolios of which are limited such that 95% of such investments are of the character, quality and maturity described in clauses (a) , (b) , (c) , and (d)  of this definition;

(f) solely with respect to the BV Borrower and any Foreign Subsidiary, Dollar or non-Dollar denominated (i) certificates of deposit of, bankers acceptances of, or time deposits with, any commercial bank which is organized and existing under the laws of the country in which such Person maintains its chief executive office and principal place of business, and whose short-term commercial paper rating from S&P is at least “A-1” or the equivalent thereof or from Moody’s is at least “P-1” or the equivalent thereof (any such bank being an “ Approved Foreign Bank ”) and maturing within one year of the date of acquisition and (ii) equivalents of demand deposit accounts which are maintained with an Approved Foreign Bank; and

(g) readily marketable obligations issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the government or any agency or instrumentality of the Netherlands or any member nation of the European Union whose legal tender is the euro and which are denominated in Euros or any other foreign currency comparable in credit quality and tenor to those referred to above and customarily used by corporations for cash management purposes in any jurisdiction outside the United States to the extent reasonably required in connection with any business conducted by any Restricted Subsidiary organized in such jurisdiction, having (i) one of the three highest ratings from either Moody’s or S&P and (ii) maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition thereof; provided that the full faith and credit of the Netherlands or any such member nation of the European Union is pledged in support thereof.

 

Credit Agreement

8


Cash Management Obligations ” means obligations owed by any Loan Party to any Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender in respect of any overdraft and related liabilities arising from treasury, depository and cash management services or any automated clearing house transfers of funds or in respect of any credit card or similar services designated by the BV Borrower as constituting Cash Management Obligations.

Cash on Hand ” means, on any date of determination, the sum of the amount of cash and Cash Equivalents of the Borrower Parties, as set forth on the balance sheet of the BV Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries (it being understood that such amount shall exclude in any event any cash or Cash Equivalents identified on such balance sheet as “restricted” (other than cash or Cash Equivalents restricted in favor of the Secured Parties (but exclusive of any such cash or Cash Equivalents used to Cash Collateralize any Letter of Credit pursuant to this Agreement))).

Casualty Event ” means any event that gives rise to the receipt by any Borrower Party of any insurance proceeds or condemnation awards in respect of any equipment, fixed assets or real property (including any improvements thereon) to replace or repair such equipment, fixed assets or real property.

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

CERCLIS ” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Information System maintained by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Change of Control ” means the earliest to occur of the Permitted Holders ceasing to have the power, directly or indirectly, to vote or direct the voting of securities having a majority of the ordinary voting power for the election of directors of the BV Borrower; provided that the occurrence of the foregoing event shall not be deemed a Change of Control if (i) no “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person and its subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan, and excluding the Permitted Holders), shall become the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13(d)-3 and 13(d)-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), directly or indirectly, of more than the greater of (x) thirty-five percent (35%) of the outstanding voting securities having ordinary voting power of the Ultimate Parent and (y) the percentage of the then outstanding voting securities having ordinary voting power of the Ultimate Parent owned, directly or indirectly, beneficially by the Permitted Holders, and (ii) during any period of twelve (12) consecutive months, the board of directors of the Ultimate Parent shall consist of a majority of the Continuing Directors; or (b) any “Change of Control” (or any comparable term) in any document pertaining to any Junior Financing with an aggregate outstanding principal amount in excess of the Threshold Amount.

Change in Law ” shall mean (a) the adoption of any law, treaty, order, policy, rule or regulation after the date of this Agreement, (b) any change in any law, treaty, order, policy, rule or regulation or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the date of this Agreement or (c) compliance by a Lender with any guideline, request or directive issued or made after the date hereof by any central bank or other governmental or quasi-governmental authority (whether or not having the force of law). It is understood and agreed that the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Pub.L. 111-203, H.R. 4173), all Laws in connection therewith, all guidelines and directives in connection therewith and any compliance by a Lender with any request or directive relating thereto, shall, for the purposes of this Agreement, be deemed to be adopted subsequent to the date hereof.

 

Credit Agreement

9


Class ” (a) when used with respect to Lenders, refers to whether such Lenders are Revolving Credit Lenders, Term Lenders, Additional Revolving Credit Lenders, Additional Term Lenders, Extending Revolving Credit Lenders or Extending Term Lenders, (b) when used with respect to Commitments, refers to whether such Commitments are Revolving Credit Commitments, Term Commitments, Additional Revolving Credit Commitments, Additional Term Commitments or Extended Revolving Credit Commitments and (c) when used with respect to Loans or a Borrowing, refers to whether such Loans, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Revolving Credit Loans, Term Loans, Additional Revolving Credit Loans, Additional Term Loans, Extended Revolving Credit Loans or Extended Term Loans.

Closing Date ” means the first date all the conditions precedent in Section 4.01 are satisfied or waived in accordance with Section 4.01 .

Closing Date Security Agreements ” means, collectively, the Domestic Security Agreement, the Dutch Security Documents, the Intellectual Property Security Agreements and each other Collateral Document executed and delivered pursuant to Section 4.01 , each in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, to secure the Secured Obligations of each Loan Party under its respective Loan Documents.

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

Co-Documentation Agents ” means means Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Bank of Montreal, Royal Bank of Canada, Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd., Raymond James Bank, FSB and Crédit Industriel et Commercial, each in its capacity as a co-documentation agent under this Agreement.

Collateral ” means all of the “Collateral” referred to in the Collateral Documents and all of the other property and assets that are or are required under the terms hereof or under the Collateral Documents to be subject to Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

Collateral Agent ” means Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., in its capacity as collateral agent under any of the Loan Documents, or any successor administrative agent.

Collateral Documents ” means, collectively, the Domestic Security Agreement, each Foreign Security Agreement, each Intellectual Property Security Agreement, the Mortgages, and each of the other agreements, instruments or documents that creates or purports to create a Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties as security for the Secured Obligations, including collateral assignments, Security Agreement Supplements, security agreements, pledge agreements or other similar agreements delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Section 6.12 .

Commitment ” means a Term Commitment or a Revolving Credit Commitment, as the context may require.

Committed Loan Notice ” means a notice of (a) a Term Borrowing, (b) a Revolving Credit Borrowing, (c) a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other (other than a conversion of a Eurodollar Rate Loan to a Base Rate Loan), or (d) a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans, pursuant to Section 2.02(a) , which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A .

Compensation Period ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.12(c)(ii) .

Compliance Certificate ” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D .

 

Credit Agreement

10


Consolidated Cash Taxes ” means, as of any date for the applicable period ending on such date with respect to the Borrower Parties on a consolidated basis, the aggregate of all income, franchise and similar taxes, as determined in accordance with GAAP, to the extent the same are paid or payable in cash with respect to such period.

Consolidated EBITDA ” means, for any period, with respect to any Person and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the sum of (a) Consolidated Net Income, plus (b) an amount which, in the determination of Consolidated Net Income for such period, has been deducted for, without duplication,

(i) total interest expense and to the extent not reflected in such total interest expense, the costs of surety bonds in connection with any financing activity and any losses on hedging obligations or other derivative instruments entered into for the purpose of hedging interest rate risk in the ordinary course of business, net of interest income and gains on such hedging obligations,

(ii) income, withholding, franchise and similar taxes and any tax distributions made pursuant to Section 7.06(e)(i) and Section 7.06(e)(iii) and foreign withholding taxes paid or accrued during such period,

(iii) total depreciation and amortization expense (including non-cash amortization of debt discount or deferred financing costs),

(iv) letter of credit fees,

(v) fees (including Securitization Fees), costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions or, to the extent permitted hereunder, any Investment permitted under Section 7.02 , Disposition permitted under Section 7.05 , Equity Issuance, Debt Issuance, recapitalization or reorganization (in each case, whether or not consummated) and any synergies and cost savings as certified by any Responsible Officer of any Borrower as having been determined in good faith to be reasonably anticipated to be realizable within 18 months following such transaction,

(vi) to the extent actually reimbursed or reimbursable, expenses incurred to the extent covered by indemnification provisions in any agreement in connection with the Transactions or a Permitted Acquisition,

(vii) to the extent covered by insurance under which the insurer has been properly notified and has not denied or contested coverage, expenses with respect to liability or casualty events or business interruption,

(viii) [intentionally omitted],

(ix) any non-cash purchase accounting adjustment and any step-ups with respect to re-valuing assets and liabilities in connection with the Transactions or any Investment permitted under Section 7.02 ,

(x) non-cash losses from Joint Ventures and non-cash minority interest reductions,

(xi) fees and expenses in connection with exchanges or refinancings or payments permitted by Section 7.14 ,

 

Credit Agreement

11


(xii) (A) non-recurring charges with respect to compensation changes, stay bonuses paid to existing management, employee severance, relocation costs and curtailments or modifications to pension or post-retirement employee benefit plans, (B) (x) extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring cash charges in an aggregate amount under this clause (B)  not to exceed $25,000,000 in any fiscal year, plus (y) extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring cash charges as reasonably approved by the Administrative Agent (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) and (C) cash charges paid in connection with litigation related to product liability for (x) the matters listed on Schedule 5.06 and (y) any other such litigation matters in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000,000 in any fiscal year,

(xiii) all Specified Equity Contributions with respect to such period,

(xiv) all other non-cash charges, losses or expenses,

(xv) expenses and indemnities paid to directors; minus

(c) an amount which, in the determination of Consolidated Net Income for such period, has been included for non-cash income during such period (other than with respect to cash actually received), minus

(d) all cash payments made during such period on account of non-cash charges added to Consolidated Net Income pursuant to clause (b)(xiv) above in such period or in a previous period (other than to the extent the amount thereof is within the basket provided for in clause (b)(xii)(B) ), minus

(e) to the extent the amount thereof is greater than the amount permitted to be added to Consolidated Net Income pursuant to the basket in clause (b)(xii)(B) above, the amount of extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring cash charges in excess of such permitted amount that have been excluded in the determination of Consolidated Net Income for such period, plus/minus

(f) unrealized losses/gains in respect of Swap Contracts (including, for purposes of this clause (f), any “Swap Contracts” under the Existing Credit Agreement that remain in effect after the Closing Date) and other embedded derivatives or similar contracts incurred in the ordinary course of business that require the same accounting treatment as Swap Contracts,

provided , there shall be excluded in determining Consolidated EBITDA currency translation gains or losses related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness (including the net loss or gain resulting from Swap Contracts entered into to hedge against currency exchange risk in the ordinary course of business), all as determined in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Funded Indebtedness ” means, with respect to any Person and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, without duplication,

(a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money,

(b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments,

(c) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services purchased by such Person (other than accrued expenses and trade debt

 

Credit Agreement

12


incurred in the ordinary course of business) which would appear in the liabilities section of the balance sheet of such Person,

(d) all Consolidated Funded Indebtedness of others secured by any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the obligations secured thereby have been assumed,

(e) all Guarantees of such Person with respect to Consolidated Funded Indebtedness of another Person.

(f) the implied principal component of all obligations of such Person under Capitalized Leases,

(g) all drafts drawn (to the extent unreimbursed) under standby letters of credit issued or bankers’ acceptances facilities created for the account of such Person,

(h) unless the holder thereof is a Loan Party or, if the issuer thereof is a Subsidiary of the BV Borrower which is not a Loan Party, any other Subsidiary of the BV Borrower, all Disqualified Equity Interests convertible into Indebtedness and issued by such Person from and after the date on which they are so converted, and

(i) the Consolidated Funded Indebtedness of any partnership or unincorporated joint venture in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer to the extent such Consolidated Funded Indebtedness is recourse to such Person.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, (i) the term “Consolidated Funded Indebtedness” shall not be deemed to include (A) any earn-out obligation until such obligation appears in the liabilities section of the balance sheet of the applicable Person, (B) any earn-out obligation that appears in the liabilities section of the balance sheet of the applicable Person to the extent (1) such Person is indemnified for the payment thereof by a solvent Person reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent or (2) amounts to be applied to the payment thereof are in escrow, (C) any deferred compensation arrangements or employee equity plan related to which there is a liability on the balance sheet or (D) any non-compete or consulting obligations incurred in connection with Permitted Acquisitions and (ii) the amount of Consolidated Funded Indebtedness for which recourse is limited either to a specified amount or to an identified asset of such Person shall be deemed to be equal to such specified amount or the fair market value of such identified asset as determined by such Person in good faith, as the case may be. For all purposes hereof, the Consolidated Funded Indebtedness of any Person shall not include any obligations under or in respect of Securitization Financings.

Consolidated Interest Charges ” means, for any period, with respect to any Person and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the amount by which (i) the sum of interest expense for such period (including the interest component under Capitalized Leases, but excluding, to the extent included in interest expense, (t) Securitization Fees, (u) fees and expenses associated with the consummation of the Transactions, (v) annual agency fees paid to the Administrative Agent, (w) costs associated with obtaining Swap Contracts, (x) fees and expenses associated with any Investment permitted under Section 7.02 , Equity Issuance or Debt Issuance (whether or not consummated), (y) pay-in-kind interest expense or other noncash interest expense (including as a result of the effects of purchase accounting) and (z) amortization or write-down of any deferred financing fees) exceeds (ii) interest income for such period, in each case as determined in accordance with GAAP, to the extent the same are paid or payable (or received or receivable) in cash with respect to such period.

 

Credit Agreement

13


Consolidated Net Income ” means, for any period, with respect to any Person and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, net income as determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that Consolidated Net Income for any such period shall exclude, without duplication, (i) any net after-tax extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring gains, losses or charges (including severance, relocation, transition and other restructuring costs and litigation settlements or losses), (ii) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle(s) during such period, (iii) any net after-tax gains or losses realized upon the disposition of assets outside the ordinary course of business (including any gain or loss realized upon the sale or other disposition of any Equity Interests of any Person), (iv) (A) the income of (1) any Subsidiary (other than a Loan Party) to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Subsidiary of that income is not at the time permitted without any prior governmental approval (which has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by the operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to such Subsidiary or its stockholders (which has not been legally waived) and (2) any Joint Venture and any Unrestricted Subsidiary, except in each case to the extent of the amount of dividends or other distributions actually paid in cash to such Person or one of its Subsidiaries by such Subsidiary, Joint Venture or Unrestricted Subsidiary during such period and (B) the income or loss of any Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Subsidiary of such Person or is merged into or consolidated with such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person or the date that such other Person’s assets are acquired by such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person, (v) non-cash compensation charges, including any such charges arising from stock options, restricted stock grants or other equity-incentive programs, (vi) any net after-tax income or loss (less all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto) attributable to the early extinguishment of Indebtedness, (vii) the effect of any non-cash items resulting from any amortization, write-up, write-down or write-off of assets (including intangible assets, goodwill and deferred financing costs) in connection with the Transactions, any Investment permitted under Section 7.02 , any Permitted Acquisition or any merger, consolidation or similar transaction not prohibited by this Agreement (other than any such non-cash item to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenditures in any future period except to the extent such item is subsequently reversed) and (viii) any reductions in respect of dividends on, or accretion of, preferred Equity Interests; and provided further that Consolidated Net Income for any such period shall be decreased by the amount of any equity of the BV Borrower in a net loss of any Person for such period to the extent the BV Borrower has funded such net loss.

Consolidated Scheduled Funded Debt Payments ” means, as of any date for the applicable period ending on such date with respect to the Borrower Parties on a consolidated basis, the sum of all scheduled payments of principal on Consolidated Funded Indebtedness made during such period (including the implied principal component of payments made on Capitalized Leases during such period) as determined in accordance with GAAP.

Continuing Directors ” shall mean the directors (or managers) of the Ultimate Parent on the Closing Date, and each other director (or manager), if, in each case, such other directors’ (or managers’) nomination for election to the board of directors (or board of managers) of the Ultimate Parent is recommended by a majority of the then Continuing Directors or such other director (or manager) receives the indirect vote of the Permitted Holders in his or her election by the stockholders of the Ultimate Parent.

Contractual Obligation ” means, as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.

Control ” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Affiliate.”

Controls Business ” means the assets and operations of the BV Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries related to the manufacture, marketing or sale of controls.

 

Credit Agreement

14


Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness ” means any (a) Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt, (b) Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt or (c) Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt incurred pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment, in each case, issued, incurred or otherwise obtained (including by means of the extension or renewal of existing Indebtedness) in exchange for, or to extend, renew, replace or refinance, in whole or part, existing Loans or Commitments (including any successive Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, any Other Loans and Other Commitments, any Additional Revolving Credit Commitments, Additional Revolving Credit Loans, Additional Term Commitments and Additional Term Loans and any Loans and Commitments which have been extended pursuant to Section 2.18 ) (“ Refinanced Debt ”); provided that (i) such exchanging, extending, renewing, replacing or refinancing Indebtedness is in an original aggregate principal amount not greater than the aggregate principal amount of the Refinanced Debt except by an amount equal to (x) interest (including interest paid-in-kind or otherwise compounding the principal amount of such Indebtedness) and premium (including tender premium) plus (y) upfront fees and OID plus (z) other fees and expenses or other amounts paid, in each case with respect to such exchanging, extending, renewing, replacing or refinancing Indebtedness, (ii) such Indebtedness has a maturity equal to or later than, and a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than, the Refinanced Debt at the time of such refinancing (except to the extent of nominal amortization for periods where amortization has been eliminated as the result of prepayment of any applicable Indebtedness), (iii) the material terms (taken as a whole) of such refinancing, refunding, extending, renewing or replacing Indebtedness contains covenants and events of default which, taken as a whole, are determined in good faith by a Responsible Officer any Borrower to be consistent with the then-current market for similar issuances of Indebtedness, and (iv) such Refinanced Debt (other than any contingent obligations not then due and owing) shall be repaid, defeased or satisfied and discharged, and all accrued interest, fees and premiums (if any) in connection therewith shall be paid, on the date such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness is issued, incurred or obtained.

Credit Extension ” means each of the following: (a) a Borrowing and (b) an L/C Credit Extension.

Cure Right ” has the meaning specified in Section 8.04 .

Current Assets ” means, at any time, the consolidated current assets (other than cash, deferred income taxes and Cash Equivalents) of the Borrower Parties.

Current Liabilities ” means, at any time, the consolidated current liabilities of the Borrower Parties at such time, but excluding, without duplication, (a) the current portion of any long-term Indebtedness and (b) outstanding Revolving Credit Loans, Swing Line Loans and L/C Obligations, (c) deferred income taxes and (d) any liability in respect of net obligations of such Person in respect of Swap Contracts related solely to interest rate protection entered into in the ordinary course of business.

Debt Issuance ” means the issuance by any Person and its Subsidiaries of any Indebtedness for borrowed money.

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

Declining Lender ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05(b)(vi) .

Default ” means any event or condition that constitutes an Event of Default or that, with the giving of any notice, the lapse of grace period, or both, would be an Event of Default.

 

Credit Agreement

15


Default Rate ” means an interest rate equal to (a) the Base Rate plus (b) the Applicable Rate applicable to Base Rate Loans plus (c) 2.0% per annum; provided that with respect to a Eurodollar Rate Loan or a EURIBOR Loan, the Default Rate shall be an interest rate equal to the interest rate (including any Applicable Rate) otherwise applicable to such Loan plus 2.0% per annum, in each case, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws, and if there is no applicable interest rate, then at the rate applicable to the Term Loans bearing interest at the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate applicable to Base Rate Loans plus 2.0% per annum.

Defaulting Lender ” means any Lender that (a) has failed to fund any portion of the Term Loans, Revolving Credit Loans, participations in L/C Obligations or participations in Swing Line Loans required to be funded by it hereunder within two (2) Business Days of the date required to be funded by it hereunder, unless the subject of a good faith dispute (or a good faith dispute that is subsequently cured), (b) has otherwise failed to pay over to the Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within two (2) Business Days of the date when due, unless the subject of a good faith dispute (or a good faith dispute that is subsequently cured), (c) has notified the Borrowers or any other Loan Party in writing that it does not intend or expect to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement, (d) has failed, within two (2) Business Days after request by Borrowers or any other Loan Party, acting in good faith, to provide a certification in writing from an authorized officer of such Lender that it will comply with its obligations to fund prospective Loans and participations in then outstanding Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans under this Agreement or (e) has been adjudicated by a Governmental Authority with regulatory authority over such Person to be insolvent or become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding.

Disclosed Litigation ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.06 .

Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(a)(iv)(B)(2) .

Discount Range ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(a)(iv)(C)(1) .

Discount Range Prepayment Amount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(a)(iv)(C)(1) .

Discount Range Prepayment Notice ” means a written notice of a Borrower Solicitation of Discount Range Prepayment Offers made pursuant to Section 2.05(a)(iv)(C) substantially in the form of Exhibit J .

Discount Range Prepayment Offer ” means the irrevocable written offer by a Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit K , submitted in response to an invitation to submit offers following the Auction Agent’s receipt of a Discount Range Prepayment Notice.

Discount Range Prepayment Response Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(a)(iv)(C)(1) .

Discount Range Proration ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(a)(iv)(C)(3) .

Discounted Loan Prepayment ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(a)(iv)(A) .

Discounted Prepayment Determination Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(a)(iv)(D)(3) .

 

Credit Agreement

16


Discounted Prepayment Effective Date ” means in the case of any Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment, Borrower Solicitation of Discount Range Prepayment Offer or Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offer, five (5) Business Days following the respective Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date, Discount Range Prepayment Response Date or Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date, as applicable, in accordance with Section 2.05(a)(iv)(B) , Section 2.05(a)(iv)(C) or Section 2.05(a)(iv)(D) , respectively, unless a different period is agreed to between the Borrowers and the Auction Agent acting in their reasonable discretion.

Disposition ” or “ Dispose ” means the sale, transfer, license, lease or other disposition of any property by any Person (including any sale and leaseback transaction and any sale of Equity Interests, but excluding any issuance by such Person of its own Equity Interests), including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith.

Disqualified Equity Interests ” means any Equity Interest which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security or other Equity Interests into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event or condition (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, (b) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, (c) provides for the scheduled payments of dividends in cash, or (d) is or becomes convertible into or exchangeable for Indebtedness or any other Equity Interests that would constitute Disqualified Equity Interests, in each case of clauses (a) through (d) above, prior to the date that is ninety-one (91) days after the Maturity Date of the Term Loan Facility.

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

Dollar Amount ” means, at any time:

(a) with respect to any Loan denominated in Dollars (including, with respect to any Swing Line Loan, any funded participation therein), the principal amount thereof then outstanding (or in which such participation is held);

(b) with respect to any Euro Loan, the principal amount thereof then outstanding in the relevant Euro, converted to Dollars in accordance with Section 1.08 and Section 2.16(a); and

(c) with respect to any L/C Obligation (or any risk participation therein), (A) if denominated in Dollars, the amount thereof and (B) if denominated in Euros, the amount thereof converted to Dollars in accordance with Section 1.08 and Section 2.16(b) .

Dollar Letter of Credit ” means a Letter of Credit denominated in Dollars.

Dollar Revolving Credit Borrowing ” means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Dollar Revolving Credit Loans of the same Type and, in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period made by each of the Revolving Credit Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01(b) .

Dollar Revolving Credit Commitment ” means, as to each Dollar Revolving Credit Lender, its obligation to (a) make Dollar Revolving Credit Loans to the Borrowers pursuant to Section 2.01(b) , (b) purchase participations in L/C Obligations in respect of Dollar Letters of Credit and (c) purchase participations in Swing Line Loans, in an aggregate amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth, and opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01 under the caption “Dollar Revolving Credit Commitment” or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance

 

Credit Agreement

17


with this Agreement. The aggregate Dollar Revolving Credit Commitments of all Dollar Revolving Credit Lenders shall be $250,000,000 on the Closing Date, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

Dollar Revolving Credit Exposure ” means, as to each Revolving Credit Lender, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Revolving Credit Lender’s Dollar Revolving Credit Loans and its Pro Rata Share of the L/C Obligations and the Swing Line Obligations at such time.

Dollar Revolving Credit Lender ” means, at any time, any Lender that has a Dollar Revolving Credit Commitment at such time.

Dollar Revolving Credit Loan ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01(b) .

Domestic Guarantors ” means, collectively, the Domestic Subsidiaries listed as such on Schedule I that, as of the Closing Date, have Guaranteed the Obligations of the BV Borrower (in its capacity as a Borrower under the Loan Documents) pursuant to the Domestic Guaranty and each other Restricted Subsidiary that is a Domestic Subsidiary of the BV Borrower that shall be required to become a Domestic Guarantor pursuant to Section 6.12 .

Domestic Guaranty ” means the Domestic Guaranty made by the Domestic Guarantors in favor of the Secured Parties, substantially in the form of Exhibit F-1 , together with each other guaranty and guaranty supplement of any Domestic Subsidiary in respect of the Obligations of the BV Borrower delivered pursuant to Section 6.12 .

Domestic Security Agreement ” means the Domestic Security Agreement among the US Borrower, the Domestic Guarantors, the Additional Grantors named therein and the Administrative Agent, dated as of the Closing Date and substantially in the form of Exhibit G , together with each related security agreement supplement executed and delivered pursuant to Section 6.12 .

Domestic Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

Dutch Borrowers ” means the BV Borrower and any other Person that is incorporated in The Netherlands to whom a Loan is made available and “Dutch Borrower” means any one of them.

Dutch Security Documents ” means, collectively, the Collateral Documents set forth on Schedule III (as such schedule may be modified from time to time at the sole and reasonable discretion of the Administrative Agent to reflect changes mutually agreed to between the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent) and each Security Agreement executed and delivered pursuant to Section 4.01 , Section 6.12 and Section 6.14 , each in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, to secure the Obligations of the Loan Parties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

Eligible Assignee ” means (a) a Lender; (b) an Affiliate of a Lender; (c) an Approved Fund; and (d) any other Person (other than a natural person) approved by (i) the Administrative Agent, (ii) in the case of any assignment of a Revolving Credit Commitment, the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender, and (iii) unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under Section 8.01(a) , Section 8.01(f) or Section 8.01(g)(i) , the relevant Borrower (each such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

Eligible Equity Proceeds ” means the Net Cash Proceeds received by the Ultimate Parent from any sale or issuance of any Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) of the Ultimate

 

Credit Agreement

18


Parent to the extent such Net Cash Proceeds are directly or indirectly contributed to, and actually received by, the BV Borrower (or, if only a portion thereof is so contributed and received, to the extent of such portion) r.

Environmental Laws ” means any and all applicable Federal, state, local, and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, legally-binding agreements or governmental restrictions relating to pollution, the protection of the environment or the management, disposal or release of any hazardous materials, substances or wastes into the environment, including those related to air emissions and discharges to waste or public systems.

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

Environmental Permit ” means any permit, approval, identification number, license or other authorization required under any Environmental Law.

Equity Interests ” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares, interests, rights, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests or units in) such Person and all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase, acquisition or exchange from such Person of any of the foregoing (including through convertible securities).

Equity Issuance ” means any issuance for cash by any Person and its Subsidiaries to any other Person of (a) its Equity Interests, (b) any of its Equity Interests pursuant to the exercise of options or warrants, (c) any of its Equity Interests pursuant to the conversion of any debt securities to equity or (d) any options or warrants relating to its Equity Interests. A Disposition shall not be deemed to be an Equity Issuance.

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

ERISA Affiliate ” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with the any Borrower within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code).

ERISA Event ” means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) a withdrawal by any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or notification that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, in reorganization; (d) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate, the treatment of a Pension Plan amendment as a termination under Sections 4041 or 4041A of ERISA, or the commencement of proceedings by the PBGC to terminate a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (e) an event or condition which constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (f) the imposition of any material liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC

 

Credit Agreement

19


premiums not yet due or premiums due but not yet delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate.

Euro ” or “ ” means the single currency of Participating Member States of the European Union.

Euro Letter of Credit ” means a Letter of Credit denominated in Euros.

Euro Loan ” means a Loan that is a EURIBOR Loan and that is made in Euros pursuant to the applicable Committed Loan Notice.

Euro Revolving Credit Borrowing ” means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Euro Revolving Credit Loans of the same type and having the same Interest Period made by each of the Euro Revolving Credit Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01(b ).

Euro Revolving Credit Commitment ” means, as to each Euro Revolving Credit Lender, its obligation to (a) make Revolving Credit Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Section  2.01(b) , (b) purchase participations in L/C Obligations and (c) purchase participations in Swing Line Loans, in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth, opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01 under the caption “Euro Revolving Credit Commitment” or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement. The aggregate Dollar Amount of Euro Revolving Credit Commitments of all Euro Revolving Credit Lenders shall be $235,000,000 on the Closing Date, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

Euro Revolving Credit Exposure ” means, as to each Euro Revolving Credit Lender, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Euro Revolving Credit Lender’s Euro Revolving Credit Loans and its Pro Rata Share of the L/C Obligations at such time.

Euro Revolving Credit Facility ” means, at any time, the aggregate Dollar Amount of the Euro Revolving Credit Commitments at such time. The Euro Revolving Credit Facility is part of, not in addition to, the Revolving Credit Facility.

Euro Revolving Credit Loan ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01(b) .

Euro Revolving Credit Lender ” means, at any time, any Lender that has a Euro Revolving Credit Commitment at such time.

Euro Sublimit ” means an amount equal to the lesser of (a) $250,000,000 and (b) the aggregate Dollar Amount of the Euro Revolving Credit Commitments. The Euro Sublimit is part of, not in addition to, the Revolving Credit Facility.

EURIBOR ” means, in relation to any Interest Period commencing on the Closing Date:

(i) the applicable Screen Rate; or

(ii)(if no Screen Rate is available for such Interest Period) the arithmetic mean of the rates (rounded upwards to four decimal places) as supplied to the Administrative Agent at its request quoted by the Reference Banks to leading banks in the European Interbank Market,

 

Credit Agreement

20


as of 11.00 A.M. (Central European time) on the Rate Fixing Day for the offering of deposits in Euro for a period comparable to such Interest Period.

EURIBOR Loan ” means a Loan that bears interest by reference to EURIBOR.

Eurodollar Rate ” means, for any Interest Period with respect to any Eurodollar Rate Loan:

(a) the rate per annum equal to the rate determined by the Administrative Agent to be the offered rate by reference to a page or other service that displays an average British Bankers Association Interest Settlement Rate for deposits in Dollars (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period, determined as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period,

(b) if the rate referenced in the preceding clause (a)  is not available, the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent as the rate of interest at which deposits in Dollars for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period in immediately available funds in the approximate amount of the Eurodollar Rate Loan being made, continued or converted by the Administrative Agent and with a term equivalent to such Interest Period would be offered by the Administrative Agent’s London Branch to major banks in the London interbank eurodollar market at their request at approximately 4:00 p.m. (London time) two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period, or

(c) in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans that are Term Loans, if greater than the rate determined by the Administrative Agent pursuant to the foregoing clauses (a) and (b), 1.00%.

Eurodollar Rate Loan ” means a Loan, whether denominated in Dollars or in Euros, that bears interest at a rate based on the Eurodollar Rate.

Event of Default ” has the meaning specified in Section 8.01 .

Excess Cash Flow ” means, with respect to any fiscal year of the Borrower Parties on a consolidated basis, an amount equal to (a) Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower Parties for such period minus (b) without duplication,

(i) Capital Expenditures made in cash to the extent not financed with the proceeds of long-term Indebtedness, Equity Issuances or other proceeds of a financing transaction that would not be included in Consolidated EBITDA,

(ii) Consolidated Interest Charges,

(iii) Consolidated Cash Taxes paid, including cash payments for Federal, state and other income tax liabilities incurred prior to the Closing Date,

(iv) Consolidated Scheduled Funded Debt Payments,

(v) Restricted Payments made by the Borrower Parties to the extent that such Restricted Payments are permitted to be made hereunder,

(vi) the aggregate principal amount of any long-term Indebtedness voluntarily prepaid (other than (A) prepayments of long-term Indebtedness financed by incurring other long-term Indebtedness, (B) prepayments of Term Loans pursuant to

 

Credit Agreement

21


Section 2.05(a) and (C) prepayments of Revolving Credit Loans pursuant to Section 2.05(a) ); provided that (1) such prepayments are otherwise permitted hereunder and (2) if such Indebtedness consists of a revolving line of credit, the commitments under such line of credit are permanently reduced by the amount of such prepayment,

(vii) letter of credit fees and annual agency fees,

(viii) proceeds received by the Borrower Parties from insurance claims with respect to casualty events, business interruption or product recalls which reimburse prior business expenses to the extent such expenses were added to Consolidated Net Income in determining Consolidated EBITDA,

(ix) all extraordinary or unusual cash charges,

(x) cash payments made in satisfaction of non-current liabilities (other than Indebtedness),

(xi) (x) cash fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions and not paid with the proceeds of the Loans or the Senior Notes or, to the extent permitted hereunder, any Investment permitted under Section 7.02 , Disposition permitted under Section 7.05 , Equity Issuance or Debt Issuance (whether or not consummated) and not paid with the proceeds of any financing transaction and (y) Securitization Fees,

(xii) fees and expenses in connection with the exchanges or refinancings or payments permitted by Section 7.14 ,

(xiii) to the extent added to Consolidated Net Income in determining Consolidated EBITDA, cash indemnity payments received pursuant to indemnification provisions in any agreement in connection with any Permitted Acquisition or any other Investment permitted hereunder (or in any similar agreement related to any other acquisition consummated prior to the Closing Date),

(xiv) non-recurring cash charges to the extent included in determining Consolidated EBITDA,

(xv) cash expenses incurred in connection with deferred compensation arrangements in connection with any Permitted Acquisition or any other Investment Permitted hereunder,

(xvi) cash used to consummate a Permitted Acquisition or any other Investment permitted hereunder to the extent not financed with the proceeds of long-term Indebtedness, Equity Issuances or other proceeds from a financing transaction that would not be included in Consolidated EBITDA,

(xvii) to the extent added to Consolidated Net Income in determining Consolidated EBITDA, losses from discontinued operations for such period,

(xviii) to the extent added to Consolidated Net Income in determining Consolidated EBITDA, Eligible Equity Proceeds,

 

Credit Agreement

22


(xix) cash expenditures made in respect of Swap Contracts to the extent not reflected in the computation of Consolidated EBITDA or Consolidated Interest Charges, and

(xx) to the extent not deducted in the computation of Net Cash Proceeds in respect of any asset disposition or condemnation giving rise thereto, the amount of any mandatory prepayment of Indebtedness (other than mandatory prepayments of Term Loans pursuant to Section 2,05(b)(i) ), together with any interest, premium or penalties required to be paid (and actually paid) in connection therewith (in the case of this clause (b)(xx) and the foregoing clauses (b)(i) through (xix) , to the extent made, paid, incurred or for, as the case may be, such fiscal year),

(c) minus increases in working capital for such fiscal year ( i.e. , the increase, if any, in Current Assets minus Current Liabilities from the beginning to the end of such fiscal year) or plus decreases in working capital for such fiscal year ( i.e. , the decrease, if any, in Current Assets minus Current Liabilities from the beginning to the end of such fiscal year), excluding changes in working capital resulting from any Permitted Acquisition or Disposition permitted hereunder.

Exchange Rate ” means on any day with respect to any currency other than Dollars, the rate at which such currency may be exchanged into Dollars, as set forth at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such day on the Reuters World Currency Page for such currency; in the event that such rate does not appear on any Reuters World Currency Page, the Exchange Rate shall be determined by reference to such other publicly available service for displaying exchange rates as may be agreed upon by the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers, or, in the absence of such agreement, the Exchange Rate shall instead be the arithmetic average of the spot rates of exchange of the Administrative Agent in the market where its foreign currency exchange operations in respect of such currency are then being conducted, at or about 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on such date for the purchase of Dollars for delivery two Business Days later.

Existing Credit Agreement ” means that certain credit agreement dated as of April 27, 2006 among the BV Borrower, the US Borrower, the Parent, the lenders party thereto and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. as administrative agent.

Existing Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date.

Existing Letters of Credit ” means all “Letters of Credit” under the Existing Credit Agreement issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effectiveness of this Agreement.

Existing Senior Notes ” means the $450,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the BV Borrower’s 8.0% senior notes due 2014 issued in a public offering or in a Rule 144A or other private placement pursuant to the Existing Senior Note Indenture.

Existing Senior Note Indenture ” means the Indenture dated as of April 27, 2006, pursuant to which the Existing Senior Notes were issued.

Existing Senior Subordinated Notes ” means the €245,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the BV Borrower’s 9.0% senior subordinated notes due 2016 issued in a public offering or in a Rule 144A or other private placement pursuant to the Existing Senior Subordinated Note Indenture.

Existing Senior Subordinated Note Indenture ” means the Indenture dated as of April 27, 2006, pursuant to which the Existing Senior Subordinated Notes were issued.

 

Credit Agreement

23


Extended Revolving Credit Commitment ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.18(a) .

“Extended Revolving Credit Loans” means Loans made under the Extended Revolving Credit Commitments.

Extended Term Loans ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.18(a) .

Extending Revolving Credit Lender ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.18(a) .

Extending Term Lender ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.18(a) .

Extension ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.18(a) .

Extension Offer ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.18(a) .

Facility ” means the Term Loan Facility, the Revolving Credit Facility, the Swing Line Sublimit or the Letter of Credit Sublimit, as the context may require.

FATCA ” means current Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (and any successor version that is substantively comparable) and the United States Treasury Regulations or published guidance with respect thereto.

Federal Funds Rate ” means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the immediately preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day, and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate charged to the Administrative Agent on such day on such transactions as determined by the Administrative Agent.

First Lien Intercreditor Agreement ” means a “ pari passu ” intercreditor agreement among the Collateral Agent and one or more Senior Representatives for holders of Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent.

Foreign Guarantor ” means, collectively, (i) the BV Borrower, in its capacity as a Guarantor of the Obligations of the US Borrower (in its capacity as a Borrower under the Loan Documents) and (ii) each other Restricted Subsidiary that is a Foreign Subsidiary of the BV Borrower listed as such on Schedule I that, as of the Closing Date, has Guaranteed the Obligations of the BV Borrower (in its capacity as a Borrower under the Loan Documents) pursuant to the Foreign Guaranty and (iii) each other Restricted Subsidiary that is a Foreign Subsidiary of the BV Borrower that shall be required to become a Foreign Guarantor pursuant to Section 6.12 .

Foreign Guaranty ” means the Foreign Guaranty made by the Foreign Guarantors (other than the BV Borrower) in favor of the Secured Parties, substantially in the form of Exhibit F-2 , together with each other guaranty or guaranty supplement in respect of the Obligations of the BV Borrower delivered pursuant to Section 6.12 .

Foreign Security Agreements ” means, collectively, the Collateral Documents set forth on Schedule II (as such schedule may be modified from time to time at the sole and reasonable discretion of the Administrative Agent to reflect changes mutually agreed to between the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent) and each Security Agreement executed and delivered pursuant to Section 4.01 ,

 

Credit Agreement

24


Section 6.12 and Section 6.14 , each in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, to secure the Obligations of each Foreign Guarantor under its respective Guaranty.

Foreign Subsidiary ” means any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the BV Borrower which is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

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

Fund ” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course.

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other principles as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States, that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, consistently applied; provided , the treatment of, and all computations with respect to, leases contained in this Agreement may, in the sole discretion of the Borrowers, be treated, and performed, in accordance with GAAP as in effect on the Closing Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time after adoption of IFRS by the Ultimate Parent for its financial statements and reports for all financial reporting purposes, the BV Borrower may elect to apply IFRS for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, in lieu of United States GAAP, and, upon any such election, references herein or in any other Loan Document to GAAP shall be construed to mean IFRS as in effect from time to time; provided that (1) any such election once made shall be irrevocable (and shall only be made once), (2) all financial statements and reports required to be provided after such election pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared on the basis of IFRS and (3) from and after such election, all ratios, computations and other determinations (A) based on GAAP contained in this Agreement shall be computed in conformity with IFRS and (B) in this Agreement that require the application of GAAP for periods that include fiscal quarters ended prior to the BV Borrower’s election to apply IFRS shall remain as previously calculated or determined in accordance with GAAP; provided further that in the event of any such election by the BV Borrower, any Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio and Total Leverage Ratio thresholds in this Agreement may be recalibrated to reflect the election to implement IFRS so long as (1) such recalibration is limited to changes in the calculation of such thresholds due to the effect of differences between GAAP and IFRS, (2) the recalibrated Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio and Total Leverage Ratios shall be mutually agreed between the Administrative Agent and the BV Borrower, unless the Required Lenders have given notice of their objection to such recalibration within five (5) Business Days of receiving notice thereof, and (3) any such recalibration shall be done in a manner such that after giving effect to such recalibration, the recalibrated Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio and Total Leverage Ratio thresholds shall be consistent with the intention of the respective Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio and Total Leverage Ratio thresholds calculated under GAAP and set forth in this Agreement on the Closing Date. The BV Borrower shall give notice of any election to the Administrative Agent with 15 days of such election. For the avoidance of doubt, solely making an election (without any other action) referred to in this definition will not be treated as an incurrence of Indebtedness.

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

Granting Lender ” has the meaning specified in Section 10.07(g) .

 

Credit Agreement

25


Guarantee ” means, as to any Person, without duplication, (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation payable or performable by another Person (the “ primary obligor ”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such Person, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance of such Indebtedness or other obligation, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity or level of income or cash flow of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation, or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), or (b) any Lien on any assets of such Person securing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person, whether or not such Indebtedness or other obligation is assumed by such Person (or any right, contingent or otherwise, of any holder of such Indebtedness to obtain any such Lien); provided, however, if such obligation has not been assumed, the amount of such Guarantee shall be the lesser of the primary obligations so secured or the value of the assets to which a Lien has attached; and provided further that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit, in either case in the ordinary course of business, or customary and reasonable indemnity obligations, including, but not limited to, those in effect on the Closing Date or entered into in connection with any acquisition or disposition of assets permitted under this Agreement (other than such obligations with respect to Indebtedness). The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the guaranteeing Person in good faith. The term “Guarantee” as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

Guarantors ” means, collectively, (i) in the case of the Obligations of the US Borrower in its capacity as a Borrower under the Loan Documents, the BV Borrower and (ii) in the case of the Obligations of the BV Borrower in its capacity as a Borrower under the Loan Documents, the Parent, each Domestic Guarantor and Foreign Guarantor.

Guaranty ” means, collectively, the Domestic Guaranty, the BV Guaranty and the Foreign Guaranty.

Hazardous Materials ” means all substances, materials or wastes classified or regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law as hazardous, toxic explosive or radioactive or as pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials and polychlorinated biphenyls.

Hedge Bank ” means any Person that is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender at the time of entering into a Secured Hedge Agreement, in its capacity as a party to a Secured Hedge Agreement.

Historical Financial Statements ” means the audited consolidated balance sheet of the BV Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2010, and the related audited consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the BV Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.

Honor Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(c)(i) .

Identified Participating Lenders ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05(a)(iv)(C)(3) .

 

Credit Agreement

26


Identified Qualifying Lender ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05(a)(iv)(D)(3) .

IFRS ” means the International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

Indebtedness ” means, as to any Person at a particular time, without duplication, all of the following, whether or not included as indebtedness or liabilities in accordance with GAAP:

(a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money and all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments;

(b) the maximum amount (after giving effect to any prior drawings or reductions which may have been reimbursed) of all outstanding letters of credit (including standby and commercial), bankers’ acceptances, bank guaranties, surety bonds, performance bonds and similar instruments issued or created by or for the account of such Person;

(c) net obligations of such Person under any Swap Contract;

(d) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than (i) trade accounts payable or accrued expenses in the ordinary course of business and (ii) any earn-out obligation until such obligation appears in the liabilities section of the balance sheet of such Person);

(e) indebtedness (excluding prepaid interest thereon) secured by a Lien on property owned or being purchased by such Person (including indebtedness arising under conditional sales or other title retention agreements and mortgage, industrial revenue bond, industrial development bond and similar financings), whether or not such indebtedness shall have been assumed by such Person or is limited in recourse;

(f) all Attributable Indebtedness;

(g) all obligations of such Person in respect of Disqualified Equity Interests;

(h) all Synthetic Indebtedness of such Person; and

(i) all Guarantees of such Person in respect of any of the foregoing.

For all purposes hereof, the Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer, unless such Indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to such Person. The amount of any net obligation under any Swap Contract on any date shall be deemed to be the Swap Termination Value thereof as of such date. The amount of Indebtedness of any Person for purposes of clause (e)  shall be deemed to be equal to the lesser of (x) the aggregate unpaid amount of such Indebtedness and (y) the fair market value of the property encumbered thereby as determined by such Person in good faith.

Indemnified Liabilities ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.05 .

Indemnitees ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.05 .

Information ” has the meaning specified in Section 10.08 .

 

Credit Agreement

27


Initial Amount ” means an amount equal to $100,000,000.

Initial L/C Issuer ” means the bank or other financial institution listed on the signature pages hereof as the Initial L/C Issuer.

Initial Lenders ” means, at any date, collectively, the Lenders party to this Agreement on the Closing Date, each in its capacity as, and so long as it is, a “Lender” hereunder.

Initial Swing Line Lender ” means the bank or other financial institution listed on the signature pages hereof as the Initial Swing Line Lender.

Intellectual Property Security Agreement ” means, collectively, the Copyright Security Agreement, the Trademark Security Agreement and the Patent Security Agreement (each as defined in the Domestic Security Agreement), referred to in and substantially in the forms attached to the Domestic Security Agreement together with each other intellectual property security agreement executed and delivered pursuant to Section 6.12 or the applicable Security Agreement.

Interest Payment Date ” means, (a) as to any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan and the Maturity Date of the Facility under which such Loan was made; provided that if any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Rate Loan or a EURIBOR Loan exceeds three months, the respective dates that fall every three months after the beginning of such Interest Period shall also be Interest Payment Dates; and (b) as to any Base Rate Loan (including a Swing Line Loan), the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December and the Maturity Date of the Facility under which such Loan was made.

Interest Period ” means, as to each Eurodollar Rate Loan or any EURIBOR Loan, the period commencing on the date such Eurodollar Rate Loan or EURIBOR Loan, as applicable, is disbursed or converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Rate Loan or EURIBOR Loan, as the case may be, and ending on the date one, two, three or six months thereafter, or if available to all relevant Lenders, nine or twelve months thereafter, as selected by the relevant Borrower in its Committed Loan Notice; provided that:

(a) any Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the immediately preceding Business Day;

(b) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period; and

(c) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date of the Facility under which such Loan was made.

Investment ” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such Person, whether by means of (a) the purchase or other acquisition of Equity Interests or debt or other securities of another Person, (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, Guarantee or assumption of debt of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or equity participation or interest in, another Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person and any arrangement pursuant to which the investor incurs debt of the type referred to in clause (i)  of the definition of “Indebtedness” set forth in this Section 1.01 in respect of such Person or (c) the purchase or other

 

Credit Agreement

28


acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of all or substantially all of the property and assets or business of another Person or assets constituting a business unit, line of business or division of such Person. For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment, less any amount paid, repaid, returned, distributed or otherwise received in cash in respect of such Investment.

Investment Pull-Forward Amount ” has the meaning specified in Section 7.02(m) .

IP Rights ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.14 .

IRS ” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

Joint Venture ” means (a) any Person which would constitute an “equity method investee” of the BV Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and (b) any Person in whom the BV Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries beneficially owns any Equity Interest that is not a Subsidiary.

Judgment Currency ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.24 .

Judgment Currency Conversion Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.24 .

Junior Financing ” has the meaning specified in Section 7.14 .

Junior Financing Documentation ” means any documentation governing any Junior Financing.

Jurisdictional Requirements ” has the meaning specified in Section 7.04(a) .

Laws ” means, collectively, all applicable international, foreign, Federal, state, commonwealth and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the interpretation thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case whether or not having the force of law.

L/C Advance ” means, with respect to each Revolving Credit Lender, such Lender’s funding of its participation in any L/C Borrowing in accordance with its Pro Rata Share.

L/C Borrowing ” means an extension of credit resulting from a drawing under any Letter of Credit which has not been reimbursed on the date when made or refinanced as a Revolving Credit Borrowing.

L/C Credit Extension ” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the issuance thereof or extension of the expiry date thereof, or the renewal or increase of the amount thereof.

L/C Issuer ” means the Initial L/C Issuer in its capacity as issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder and each other Lender reasonably acceptable to both the Administrative Agent and the BV Borrower that has entered into a letter of credit issuer agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, in each case, in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, or any successor issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder. Each L/C Issuer may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by Affiliates of such L/C Issuer, in which case the term L/C Issuer shall include any such Affiliate with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate. In the event that

 

Credit Agreement

29


there is more than one L/C Issuer at any time, references herein and in the other Loan Documents to the L/C Issuer shall be deemed to refer to the L/C Issuer in respect of the applicable Letter of Credit or to all L/C Issuers, as the context requires.

L/C Issuer’s Office ” means the L/C Issuer’s address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 10.02 , or such other address or account as the L/C Issuer may from time to time notify in writing to the Borrowers, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent.

L/C Obligations ” means, as at any date of determination, the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit plus the aggregate of all Unreimbursed Amounts, including, without duplication, all L/C Borrowings.

Lender ” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement and, as the context requires, includes the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender.

Lending Office ” means, as to any Lender, the office or offices of such Lender described as such in such Lender’s Administrative Questionnaire, or such other office or offices as a Lender may from time to time notify the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent.

Letter of Credit ” means any letter of credit issued hereunder and shall include the Existing Letters of Credit. A Letter of Credit may be a commercial letter of credit or a standby letter of credit.

Letter of Credit Application ” means an application and agreement for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit substantially in the form from time to time in use by the L/C Issuer.

Letter of Credit Expiration Date ” means the day that is the scheduled Maturity Date then in effect for the Revolving Credit Facility.

Letter of Credit Sublimit ” means $75,000,000. The Letter of Credit Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Revolving Credit Facility.

Lien ” means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge, or preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any easement, right of way or other encumbrance on title to real property, and any Capitalized Lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).

Loan ” means an extension of credit by a Lender to a Borrower under Article 2 in the form of a Term Loan, a Revolving Credit Loan or a Swing Line Loan.

Loan Documents ” means, collectively, (a) this Agreement, (b) the Notes, (c) the Guaranty, (d) the Collateral Documents and (e) each Letter of Credit Application.

Loan Parties ” means, collectively, each Borrower and each Guarantor.

Management Shareholders ” means the members of management of the BV Borrower, its direct or indirect parent company or its Subsidiaries who are investors, directly or indirectly, in the Ultimate Parent.

 

Credit Agreement

30


Mandatory Cost ” means the rate per annum notified by any Lender to the Administrative Agent to be the cost to the Lender of compliance with all reserve asset, liquidity or cash margin requirements of the Bank of England, the Financial Services Authority or the European Central Bank.

Master Agreement ” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Swap Contract.”

Material Adverse Effect ” means (a) a material adverse effect on the business, operations, assets, financial condition or results of operations of the BV Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) a material adverse effect on the ability of the Loan Parties (taken as a whole) to perform their obligations under any Loan Document or (c) a material adverse effect on the rights and remedies of the Lenders under any Loan Document.

Material Foreign Subsidiary ” means, at any time, any Foreign Subsidiary that (a) contributed 10.0% or more of the Consolidated EBITDA of the BV Borrower for the period of four fiscal quarters most recently ended on or prior to the date of determination, (b) had consolidated assets representing 10.0% or more of the total consolidated assets of the BV Borrower on the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter ended on or prior to the date of determination or (c) owns any Material Intellectual Property or any Material Real Property; provided , that the Borrower shall be required, from time to time, to designate one or more Foreign Subsidiaries that would not otherwise satisfy the foregoing requirements as Material Foreign Subsidiaries to the extent that (a) the aggregate amount of the Consolidated EBITDA of the BV Borrower for the period of four fiscal quarters most recently ended attributable to all Foreign Subsidiaries that are not Material Foreign Subsidiaries would otherwise exceed 20.0% or more of the Consolidated EBITDA of the BV Borrower for such period or (b) the total consolidated assets of all Foreign Subsidiaries that are not Material Foreign Subsidiaries would otherwise exceed 20.0% or more of the total consolidated assets of the BV Borrower on the last day of the most recently-ended fiscal quarter. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Foreign Subsidiary that (a) contributed less than 1.0% of the Consolidated EBITDA of the BV Borrower for the period of four fiscal quarters most recently ended on or prior to the date of determination or (b) had consolidated assets representing less than 1.0% of the total consolidated assets of the BV Borrower on the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter ended on or prior to the date of determination shall not in any event be considered a Material Foreign Subsidiary or be required to be designated as a Material Foreign Subsidiary pursuant to the proviso in the immediately preceding sentence. Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing to the contrary, any Foreign Subsidiary organized under the laws of the People’s Republic of China (or any political subdivision thereof) shall not be deemed to be a Material Foreign Subsidiary or be required to be designated as a Material Foreign Subsidiary under any of the provisions of this definition; provided , that the aggregate amount of the Consolidated EBITDA attributable to, and the total consolidated assets of, any Foreign Subsidiary organized under the laws of the People’s Republic of China (or any political subdivision thereof) shall be included in the calculation of the 20.0% thresholds set forth in the proviso to the first sentence of this definition unless such Foreign Subsidiary is designated as a Material Foreign Subsidiary.

Material Intellectual Property ” means any IP Rights that are material to the operation of the business of the BV Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

Material Real Property ” means fee owned real property (a) of any Loan Party with a value in excess of $15,000,000 or (b) where manufacturing operations that are material to the operation of the business of the BV Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, are conducted. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary herein, (1) in determining whether a Foreign Subsidiary is a Material Foreign Subsidiary, solely clause (b) of this definition shall apply and (2) clause (a) of this definition shall apply solely to any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Loan Party pursuant to Section 6.12 .

 

Credit Agreement

31


Maturity Date ” means (a) with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility, May 12, 2016, and (b) with respect to the Term Loan Facility, May 12, 2018.

Maximum Rate ” has the meaning specified in Section 10.10 .

Minimum Extension Condition ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.18(b) .

MNPI ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(a)(iv)(F) .

Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto.

Morgan Stanley ” means Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc.

Mortgage ” means any deed of trust, trust deed, mortgages or other comparable instrument covering the Material Real Property required to be mortgaged pursuant to this Agreement in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent executed and delivered pursuant to Section 6.12 .

Multiemployer Plan ” means any multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, and subject to ERISA, to which any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate makes or is obligated to make contributions, or during the preceding five plan years, has made or been obligated to make contributions.

Net Cash Proceeds ” means:

(a) with respect to the Disposition of any asset by the BV Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than in connection with the Permitted Reorganization) or any Casualty Event, the excess, if any, of (i) the sum of cash and Cash Equivalents received in connection with such Disposition or Casualty Event (including any cash or Cash Equivalents received by way of deferred payment pursuant to, or by monetization of, a note receivable or otherwise, but only as and when so received and, with respect to any Casualty Event, any insurance proceeds or condemnation awards in respect of such Casualty Event actually received by or paid to or for the account of the BV Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) over (ii) the sum of (A) the principal amount of any Indebtedness that is secured by the asset subject to such Disposition or Casualty Event and that is required to be repaid (and is timely repaid) in connection with such Disposition or Casualty Event (other than Indebtedness under the Loan Documents), (B) the out-of-pocket fees and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, investment banking fees, survey costs, title insurance premiums, and related search and recording charges, transfer taxes, deed or mortgage recording taxes, other customary expenses and brokerage, consultant and other customary fees) actually incurred by the BV Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with such Disposition or Casualty Event, (C) taxes paid or reasonably estimated to be payable in connection therewith by the BV Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary and attributable to such Disposition or Casualty Event (including, in respect of any proceeds received in connection with a Disposition or Casualty Event of any asset of any Restricted Subsidiary organized under the laws of a jurisdiction different from the jurisdiction of organization of the Borrower that is its most direct parent company, deductions in respect of withholding taxes that are payable in cash if such funds are repatriated to the jurisdiction of the relevant Borrower) and (D) any reserve for adjustment in respect of (1) the sale price of such asset or assets established in accordance with GAAP and (2) any liabilities associated with such asset or assets and retained by the BV Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries after such sale or other disposition thereof, including, without limitation, pension and other post-employment

 

Credit Agreement

32


benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction and it being understood that “Net Cash Proceeds” shall include, without limitation, any cash or Cash Equivalents (i) received upon the Disposition of any non-cash consideration received by the BV Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any such Disposition or Casualty Event and (ii) upon the reversal (without the satisfaction of any applicable liabilities in cash in a corresponding amount) of any reserve described in clause (D)  above or, if such liabilities have not been satisfied in cash and such reserve not reversed within three hundred and sixty-five (365) days after such Disposition or Casualty Event, the amount of such reserve; provided that (x) no proceeds realized in a single transaction or series of related transactions shall constitute Net Cash Proceeds unless such proceeds shall exceed $20,000,000 and (y) no proceeds shall constitute Net Cash Proceeds under this clause (a)  in any fiscal year until the aggregate amount of all such proceeds in such fiscal year shall exceed $40,000,000 (and thereafter only proceeds in excess of such amount shall constitute Net Cash Proceeds under this clause (a) ); and

(b) with respect to the incurrence or issuance of any Indebtedness by the BV Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, the excess, if any, of (i) the sum of the cash received in connection with such incurrence or issuance over (ii) the investment banking fees, underwriting discounts, commissions, costs and other out-of-pocket expenses (including attorneys’ fees) and other customary expenses, incurred by the BV Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with such incurrence or issuance (including, in the case of Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary organized under the laws of a jurisdiction different from the jurisdiction of organization of the Borrower that is its most direct parent company, deductions in respect of withholding taxes that are payable in cash if such funds are repatriated to the jurisdiction of the relevant Borrower).

Non-Consenting Lender ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.07(d) .

Nonrenewal Notice Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(b)(iii) .

Non-US Lender ” has the meaning specified in Section 10.15(a)(i) .

Not Otherwise Applied ” means, with reference to any amount of Net Cash Proceeds of any transaction or event or of Excess Cash Flow, that such amount (a) was not required to be applied to prepay the Loans pursuant to Section 2.05(b) , (b) was not previously included in a calculation of “Consolidated EBITDA” pursuant to clause (b)(xiii) of the definition thereof and (c) was not previously applied in determining the permissibility of a transaction under the Loan Documents where such permissibility was (or may have been) contingent on receipt of such amount.

Note ” means a Term Note or a Revolving Credit Note, as the context may require.

NPL ” means the National Priorities List under CERCLA.

Obligation Currency ” has the meaning specified in Section 10.24 .

Obligations ” means all advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, any Loan Party arising under any Loan Document with respect to any Loan or Letter of Credit, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Loan Party of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such

 

Credit Agreement

33


proceeding. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Obligations of the Loan Parties under the Loan Documents include (a) the obligation to pay principal, interest, Letter of Credit commissions, charges, expenses, fees, Attorney Costs, indemnities and other amounts payable by any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (b) the obligation of any Loan Party to reimburse any amount in respect of any of the foregoing that any Lender, in its sole discretion, may elect to pay or advance on behalf of such Loan Party.

Offered Amount ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05(a)(iv)(D)(1) .

Offered Discount ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05(a)(iv)(D)(1) .

Organization Documents ” means, (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-US jurisdiction); (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement; and (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such entity.

Other Commitments ” means one or more Classes of Loan commitments hereunder that result from a Refinancing Amendment.

Other Loans ” means one or more Classes of Loans that result from a Refinancing Amendment.

Other Taxes ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.01(b) .

Outstanding Amount ” means (a) with respect to the Term Loans, Revolving Credit Loans and Swing Line Loans on any date, the principal amount thereof after giving effect to any borrowings and prepayments or repayments of Term Loans, Revolving Credit Loans (including any refinancing of outstanding unpaid drawings under Letters of Credit or L/C Credit Extensions as a Revolving Credit Borrowing) and Swing Line Loans, as the case may be, occurring on such date; and (b) with respect to any L/C Obligations on any date, the amount thereof on such date after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension occurring on such date and any other changes thereto as of such date, including as a result of any reimbursements of outstanding unpaid drawings under any Letters of Credit (including any refinancing of outstanding unpaid drawings under Letters of Credit or L/C Credit Extensions as a Revolving Credit Borrowing) or any reductions in the maximum amount available for drawing under Letters of Credit taking effect on such date.

Parent ” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

Participant ” has the meaning specified in Section 10.07(d) .

Participating Member States ” has the meaning given to it in Council Regulation EC No. 1103/97 of 17 June 1997 made under Article 235 of the Treaty on European Union.

Participating Lender ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05(a)(iv)(C)(2) .

 

Credit Agreement

34


Patriot Act ” means the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (Title III of Pub. L. No. 107-56 (signed into Law October 26, 2001)).

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

Pension Plan ” means any “employee pension benefit plan” (as such term is defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), other than a Multiemployer Plan, that is subject to Title IV of ERISA and is sponsored or maintained by any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate or to which any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate contributes or has an obligation to contribute, or in the case of a multiple employer or other plan described in Section 4064(a) of ERISA, has made contributions at any time during the immediately preceding five (5) plan years.

Permitted Acquisition ” has the meaning specified in Section 7.02(i) .

Permitted Capital Expenditure Amount ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 7.15 .

Permitted Encumbrances ” shall mean any encumbrances permitted under any Mortgage.

Permitted Holders ” means the Sponsor and the Management Shareholders.

Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt ” means any secured Indebtedness incurred by the Borrowers in the form of one or more series of secured notes or secured loans, in each case, secured by liens having priority junior to the Liens granted by the Loan Parties pursuant to the Loan Documents; provided that (i) such Indebtedness is secured by the Collateral on a junior priority basis with the Obligations and, unless otherwise agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion, is not secured by any property or assets of any Loan Party other than the Collateral, (ii) such Indebtedness complies with the proviso in the definition of Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, and (iii) a Senior Representative acting on behalf of the holders of such Indebtedness shall have become party to or otherwise subject to the provisions of a Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement; provided that if such Indebtedness is the initial Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt incurred by the Borrowers, then the Borrowers, the Collateral Agent and the Senior Representative for such Indebtedness shall have executed and delivered a Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt will include any Registered Equivalent Notes issued in exchange therefor.

Permitted Other Investment ” has the meaning specified in Section 7.02(m) .

Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt ” means any secured Indebtedness incurred by the Borrowers in the form of one or more series of senior secured notes or loans; provided that (i) such Indebtedness is secured by the Collateral on a pari passu basis (but without regard to the control of remedies) with the Obligations and, unless otherwise agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion, is not secured by any property or assets of the Loan Parties other than the Collateral, (ii) such Indebtedness complies with the proviso in the definition of Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness and (iii) a Senior Representative acting on behalf of the holders of such Indebtedness shall have become party to or otherwise subject to the provisions of a First Lien Intercreditor Agreement; provided that if such Indebtedness is the initial Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt incurred by the Borrowers, then the Borrowers, the Collateral Agent and the Senior Representative for such Indebtedness shall have executed and delivered a First Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt will include any Registered Equivalent Notes issued in exchange therefor.

 

Credit Agreement

35


Permitted Refinancing ” means, with respect to any Person, any modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension of any Indebtedness of such Person; provided that (a) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) thereof does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness so modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended except by an amount equal to unpaid accrued interest and premium thereon plus other reasonable amounts paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension and by an amount equal to any existing commitments unutilized thereunder, (b) such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension has a final maturity date equal to or later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended, (c) if the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations, such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations on terms at least as favorable to the Lenders as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended, taken as a whole, (d) the terms and conditions (including, if applicable, as to collateral) of any such modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended Indebtedness are not materially less favorable to the Loan Parties or the Lenders than the terms and conditions of the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended, (e) such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension is incurred by the Person or Persons who are the obligors on the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended, and such new or additional obligors as are permitted under Section 7.03 or as are or become Loan Parties in accordance with Section 6.12 and with respect to subordinated Indebtedness the obligations of such obligors shall be subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations on terms at least as favorable to the Lenders as those contained in documentation governing the Indebtedness, taken as a whole and (f) at the time thereof, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

Permitted Reorganization ” means the reorganization of the BV Borrower and its Subsidiaries described on Schedule 1.01 hereto.

Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness ” means any Indebtedness of a Borrower that is expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of the Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations) on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt ” means any unsecured Indebtedness incurred by the Borrowers in the form of one or more series of unsecured notes or loans; provided that (i) such Indebtedness is not secured by any property or assets of the Loan Parties and (ii) such Indebtedness complies with the proviso to the definition of Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness. Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt will include any Registered Equivalent Notes issued in exchange therefor.

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

Platform ” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02 .

Pledged Debt ” has the meaning specified in the applicable Security Agreement.

Pledged Equity ” has the meaning specified in the applicable Security Agreement.

Prepayment Percentage ” means the applicable percentage based on the Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio set forth below for each item set forth below:

 

Credit Agreement

36


Level

   Debt     Excess
Cash Flow
 

Level I

> 1.5:1.0

     100     50

Level II

< 1.5:1.0 but > 1.0:1.0

     50     25

Level III

< 1.0:1.0

     0     0

Any increase or decrease in the Prepayment Percentage resulting from a change in the Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio shall become effective as of the first Business Day immediately following the date a Compliance Certificate is delivered pursuant to Section 6.02(b) ; provided that at the option of the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders Level I shall apply (x) as of the first Business Day after the date on which a Compliance Certificate was required to have been delivered but was not delivered, and shall continue to so apply to but excluding the date on which such Compliance Certificate is so delivered (and thereafter the Level otherwise determined in accordance with this definition shall apply) and (y) as of the first Business Day after an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and shall continue to so apply to but excluding the date on which such Event of Default is cured or waived (and thereafter the Level otherwise determined in accordance with this definition shall apply).

Pro Forma Basis ”, “ Pro Forma Compliance ” and “ Pro Forma Effect ” means, for purposes of calculating compliance with the Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio in respect of a Specified Transaction, that such Specified Transaction and the following transactions in connection therewith shall be deemed to have occurred as of the first day of the applicable period of measurement for the Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio: (a) income statement items (whether positive or negative) attributable to the property or Person subject to such Specified Transaction, (i) in the case of a Permitted Acquisition or Investment described in the definition of “Specified Transaction”, shall be included and (ii) in the case of a Disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of or all of the Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary of the BV Borrower or any division or product line of the BV Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, shall be excluded, (b) any retirement of Indebtedness, and (c) any Indebtedness incurred or assumed by the BV Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection therewith and if such Indebtedness has a floating or formula rate, shall have an implied rate of interest for the applicable period for purposes of this definition determined by utilizing the rate which is or would be in effect with respect to such Indebtedness as at the relevant date of determination; provided that the foregoing pro forma adjustments may be applied to the Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio solely to the extent that such adjustments are consistent with the definition of Consolidated EBITDA and give effect to events that are (x) directly attributable to such transaction, (y) expected to have a continuing impact on the BV Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and (z) factually supportable or based on the reasonable good faith of the Responsible Officer executing the Compliance Certificate.

Pro Rata Share ” means, with respect to each Lender at any time, a fraction (expressed as a percentage, carried out to the ninth decimal place), the numerator of which is the amount of the Commitments of such Lender under the applicable Facility or Facilities (or in the case of any Term Lender under any Term Loan Facility under which Term Loans have been made, the Outstanding Amount of such Lender’s Term Loans under such Facility) at such time and the denominator of which is the amount of the Aggregate Commitments under the applicable Facility or Facilities (or in the case of any Term Loan Facility under which Term Loans have been made, the Outstanding Amount of all Term Loans under such Facility) at such time; provided that if such Commitments have been terminated, then the Pro Rata Share of each Lender shall be determined based on the Pro Rata Share of such Lender immediately prior to such termination and after giving effect to any subsequent assignments made pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

Credit Agreement

37


Public Lender ” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02 .

Qualified Equity Interests ” means any Equity Interests that are not Disqualified Equity Interests.

Qualified Securitization Financing ” means any Securitization Financing of a Securitization Subsidiary that meets the following conditions: (i) the BV Borrower or applicable Subsidiary shall have determined in good faith that such Qualified Securitization Financing (including financing terms, covenants, termination events and other provisions) is in the aggregate economically fair and reasonable to the BV Borrower or such Subsidiary and the Securitization Subsidiary, (ii) all sales of Securitization Assets and related assets to the Securitization Subsidiary are made at fair market value (as determined in good faith by the BV Borrower or such Subsidiary) and (iii) the financing terms, covenants, termination events and other provisions thereof shall be market terms (as determined in good faith by the BV Borrower or such Subsidiary) and may include Standard Securitization Undertakings. The grant of a security interest in any Securitization Assets of the BV Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than a Securitization Subsidiary) to secure the Secured Obligations and any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness shall not be deemed a Qualified Securitization Financing.

Qualifying Lender ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05(a)(iv)(D)(3) .

Rate Fixing Day ” means the day which market practice in the European Interbank Market treats as the rate fixing day for obtaining deposits in Euro which shall be (i) one Business Days prior to the date of the proposed Borrowing with respect to the initial Interest Period and (ii) two Business Days prior to the first day of any other Interest Period.

Reconciliation Report ” has the meaning specified in Section 6.01(d) .

“Reference Bank” means each of the Arrangers.

Refinancing Amendment ” means an amendment to this Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers executed by each of (a) the Borrowers, (b) the Administrative Agent and (c) each lender that agrees to provide any portion of the Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness being incurred pursuant thereto, in accordance with Section 2.17 .

Register ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.07(c) .

Registered Equivalent Notes ” means, with respect to any notes originally issued in a Rule 144A or other private placement transaction under the Securities Act, notes issued in a dollar-for-dollar exchange therefor pursuant to an exchange offer registered with the SEC.

Reportable Event ” means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than events for which the thirty (30) day notice period has been waived.

Repricing Transaction ” means the incurrence by the Borrowers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries of any Indebtedness (including, without limitation, any new or additional term loans under this Agreement (including Term Loans constituting Other Loans), whether incurred directly or by way of the conversion of Term Loans into a new tranche of replacement term loans under this Agreement), but excluding Indebtedness incurred in connection with a Change of Control, that is broadly marketed or syndicated to banks and other institutional investors in financings similar to the facilities provided for in this Agreement (i) having an “effective” yield for the respective Type of such Indebtedness that is less

 

Credit Agreement

38


than the “effective” yield for Term Loans of the respective Type (with the comparative determinations to be made in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent consistent with generally accepted financial practices, after giving effect to, among other factors, margin, floors, upfront or similar fees or “original issue discount”, in each case, shared with all lenders or holders of such Indebtedness or Term Loans, as the case may be, but excluding the effect of any arrangement, structuring, syndication, commitment or other fees payable in connection therewith that are not shared with all lenders or holders of such Indebtedness or Term Loans, as the case may be, and without taking into account any fluctuations in the Eurodollar Rate) and (ii) the proceeds of which are used to prepay (or, in the case of a conversion, deemed to prepay or replace), in whole or in part, outstanding principal of Term Loans. Any such determination by the Administrative Agent as contemplated by preceding sentence shall be conclusive and binding on all Lenders holding Term Loans.

Request for Credit Extension ” means (a) with respect to a Borrowing, conversion or continuation of Term Loans or Revolving Credit Loans, a Committed Loan Notice, (b) with respect to an L/C Credit Extension, a Letter of Credit Application, and (c) with respect to a Swing Line Loan, a Swing Line Loan Notice.

Required Lenders ” means, as of any date of determination, Lenders having more than 50% of the sum of the (a) Total Outstandings (with the aggregate amount of each Lender’s risk participation and funded participation in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans being deemed “held” by such Lender for purposes of this definition), (b) aggregate unused Term Commitments and (c) aggregate unused Revolving Credit Commitments; provided that the unused Term Commitment, unused Revolving Credit Commitment of, and the portion of the Total Outstandings held or deemed held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Lenders.

Required Revolving Credit Lenders ” means, as of any date of determination, Lenders having more than 50% of the sum of the (a) aggregate principal amount outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility (with the aggregate outstanding amount of each Lender’s risk participation and funded participation in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans being deemed “held” by such Lender for purposes of this definition) and (b) aggregate unused Revolving Credit Commitments; provided that the unused Revolving Credit Commitment of, and the portion of the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the Revolving Credit Loans held or deemed held by any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Revolving Credit Lenders.

Responsible Officer ” means the chief executive officer, president, vice president, chief financial officer, treasurer or assistant treasurer or other similar officer of a Loan Party or, in the case of any BV Borrower or any Foreign Subsidiary, any duly appointed authorized signatory or any director or managing member of such Person and, as to any document delivered on the Closing Date, any secretary or assistant secretary. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Loan Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Loan Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Loan Party.

Restricted Payment ” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interest of the BV Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, defeasance, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such Equity Interest, or on account of any return of capital to the stockholders, partners or members (or the equivalent Persons thereof) of the BV Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary.

 

Credit Agreement

39


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

Revolving Credit Borrowing ” means a Dollar Revolving Credit Borrowing or a Euro Revolving Credit Borrowing.

Revolving Credit Commitment ” means a Dollar Revolving Credit Commitment or a Euro Revolving Credit Commitment.

Revolving Credit Commitment Fee ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.09(a) .

Revolving Credit Commitment Period ” means the period from and including the Closing Date to but not including the Maturity Date of the Revolving Credit Facility or any earlier date on which the Revolving Credit Commitments shall terminate as provided herein.

Revolving Credit Facility ” means, at any time, the aggregate Dollar Amount of the Revolving Credit Lenders’ Revolving Credit Commitments at such time.

Revolving Credit Lender ” means, at any time, the collective reference to the Dollar Revolving Credit Lenders and the Euro Revolving Credit Lenders.

Revolving Credit Loan ” means the collective reference to the Dollar Revolving Credit Loans and the Euro Revolving Credit Loans.

Revolving Credit Note ” means a promissory note of a Borrower payable to any Revolving Credit Lender or its registered assigns, in substantially the form of Exhibit C-2 hereto, evidencing the aggregate indebtedness of such Borrower to such Revolving Credit Lender resulting from the Revolving Credit Loans made by such Revolving Credit Lender to such Borrower.

Rollover Amount ” has the meaning specified in Section 7.15(b) .

S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and any successor thereto.

Screen Ra te” means the percentage rate per annum determined by the Banking Federation of the European Union for the relevant period, displayed on the appropriate page of the Telerate screen. If the agreed page is replaced or service ceases to be available, the Administrative Agent may specify another page or service displaying the appropriate rate after consultation with the Borrower and the Lenders.

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

Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement ” means a “junior lien” intercreditor agreement among the Collateral Agent and one or more Senior Representatives for holders of Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent.

Secured Hedge Agreement ” means any Swap Contract permitted under Article 7 that is entered into by and between any Loan Party and any Hedge Bank.

Secured Hedge Obligations ” means any obligation arising under a Secured Hedge Agreement.

Secured Obligations ” has the meaning specified in the Domestic Security Agreement.

 

Credit Agreement

40


Secured Parties ” means, collectively, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, Affiliates of the Lenders in the case of Cash Management Obligations, the Hedge Banks, the Bilateral Providers and each co-agent or sub-agent appointed by the Administrative Agent from time to time pursuant to Article 9 .

Securitization Assets ” means any accounts receivable or other revenue streams subject to a Qualified Securitization Financing.

Securitization Fees ” means reasonable distributions or payments made directly or by means of discounts with respect to any participation interest issued or sold in connection with, and other fees paid to a Person that is not a Securitization Subsidiary in connection with any Qualified Securitization Financing.

Securitization Financing ” means any transaction or series of transactions that may be entered into by the BV Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to which the BV Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries may sell, convey or otherwise transfer to (a) a Securitization Subsidiary (in the case of a transfer by the BV Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) and (b) any other Person (in the case of a transfer by a Securitization Subsidiary), or may grant a security interest in, any Securitization Assets (whether now existing or arising in the future) of the BV Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and any assets related thereto including, without limitation, all collateral securing such Securitization Assets, all contracts and all guarantees or other obligations in respect of such Securitization Assets, proceeds of such Securitization Assets and other assets which are customarily transferred or in respect of which security interests are customarily granted in connection with asset securitization transactions involving Securitization Assets and any Swap Contracts entered into by the BV Borrower or any such Subsidiary in connection with such Securitization Assets.

Securitization Repurchase Obligation ” means any obligation of a seller of Securitization Assets in a Qualified Securitization Financing to repurchase Securitization Assets arising as a result of a breach of a representation, warranty or covenant or otherwise, including, without limitation, as a result of a receivable or portion thereof becoming subject to any asserted defense, dispute, off set or counterclaim of any kind as a result of any action taken by, any failure to take action by or any other event relating to the seller.

Securitization Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Company (or another Person) formed for the purposes of engaging in one or more Qualified Securitization Financings and other activities reasonably related thereto.

Security Agreement ” means, collectively, the Domestic Security Agreement, the Dutch Security Documents, the Foreign Security Agreements, the Intellectual Property Security Agreements and each other Collateral Document executed and delivered pursuant to Section 4.01 , Section 6.12 and Section 6.14 , each in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, to secure the Obligations of each Loan Party under its respective Loan Documents.

Security Agreement Supplement ” has the meaning specified in the applicable Security Agreement, if applicable.

Senior Notes ” means the $700,000,000 6.50% Senior Notes due 2019.

Senior Note Documents ” means the Senior Notes, the Senior Note Indenture, and all other documents executed and delivered with respect to the Senior Notes or the Senior Note Indenture.

 

Credit Agreement

41


Senior Note Indenture ” means the indenture dated as of May 12, 2011 pursuant to which the Senior Notes were issued.

Senior Representative ” means, with respect to any series of Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt or Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt, the trustee, administrative agent, collateral agent, security agent or similar agent under the indenture or agreement pursuant to which such Indebtedness is issued, incurred or otherwise obtained, as the case may be, and each of their successors in such capacities.

Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio ” means, with respect to the Borrower Parties on a consolidated basis, as of the end of any fiscal quarter of the BV Borrower for the four (4) fiscal quarter period ending on such date, the ratio of (a) Adjusted Consolidated Funded Indebtedness of the Borrower Parties, excluding any Indebtedness consisting of obligations under or in respect of Securitization Financings or that is secured by a lien that is subordinated to the Facilities or that is unsecured or expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Facilities (net of Cash on Hand) on the last day of such period to (b) Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower Parties for such period.

Shareholders Agreement ” means, collectively, (i) the First Amended and Restated Securityholders Agreement, dated as of March 8, 2010, by and among Sensata Investment Company S.C.A., Sensata Technologies Holding N.V., Sensata Management Company S.A., certain funds managed by Bain Capital Partners, LLC or its Affiliates (as defined therein) party thereto, Asia Opportunity Fund II, L.P. and AOF II Employee Co-Invest Fund, L.P., as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, and (ii) the First Amended and Restated Investors Right Agreement, dated as of March 8, 2010, by and among Sensata Investment Company S.C.A., Sensata Technologies Holding N.V., Sensata Management Company S.A., certain funds managed by Bain Capital Partners, LLC or its Affiliates (as defined therein) party thereto and the other Securityholders (as defined therein) from time to time party thereto , as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice ” means a written notice of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party of Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers made pursuant to Section 2.03(a)(iv)(D) substantially in the form of Exhibit N .

Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer ” means the irrevocable written offer by each Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit P , submitted following the Administrative Agent’s receipt of a Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice.

Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amount ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05(a)(iv)(D)(1) .

Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05(a)(iv)(D)(1) .

Solicited Discount Proration ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05(a)(iv)(D)(3) .

Solvent ” and “ Solvency ” mean, with respect to any Person on any date of determination, that on such date (a) the fair value of the property of such Person is greater than the total amount of liabilities, including, without limitation, contingent liabilities, of such Person, (b) the present fair salable value of the assets of such Person is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts as they become absolute and matured, (c) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such Person’s ability to generally pay such debts and

 

Credit Agreement

42


liabilities as they mature and (d) such Person is not engaged in business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in business or a transaction, for which such Person’s property would constitute an unreasonably small capital. The amount of contingent liabilities at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

SPC ” has the meaning specified in Section 10.07(g) .

Specified Asset Sale ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05(b)(iv) .

Specified Discount ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05(a)(iv)(B)(1) .

Specified Discount Prepayment Amount ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05(a)(iv)(B)(1) .

Specified Discount Prepayment Notice ” means a written notice of the Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment made pursuant to Section 2.05(a)(iv)(B) substantially in the form of Exhibit L .

Specified Discount Prepayment Response ” means the irrevocable written response by each Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit M , to a Specified Discount Prepayment Notice.

Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05(a)(iv)(B)(1) .

Specified Discount Proration ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05(a)(iv)(B)(3) .

Specified Equity Contribution ” has the meaning specified in Section 8.04 .

Specified Junior Financing Obligations ” means any obligations of any Borrower or any of it Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Junior Financing having an aggregate principal amount of more than the Threshold Amount.

Specified Transaction ” means any (a) Disposition of all or substantially all the assets of or all the Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary or of any division or product line of the BV Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, (b) Permitted Acquisition, (c) designation of any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or of any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, in each case in accordance with Section 6.15 or (d) the proposed incurrence of Indebtedness or making of a Restricted Payment in respect of which compliance with the Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio is by the terms of this Agreement required to be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis.

Sponsor ” means, collectively, Bain Capital Fund VIII, L.P. and/or its Affiliates (including, as applicable, related funds, general partners thereof and limited partners thereof, but solely to the extent any such limited partners are directly or indirectly participating as investors pursuant to a side-by-side investing arrangement, but not including, however, any portfolio company of any of the foregoing).

Standard Securitization Undertakings ” means representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities entered into by the BV Borrower or any Subsidiary of the BV Borrower which the BV Borrower or such Subsidiary has determined in good faith to be customary in a Securitization Financing, including, without limitation, those relating to the servicing of the assets of a Securitization Subsidiary, it

 

Credit Agreement

43


being understood that any Securitization Repurchase Obligation shall be deemed to be a Standard Securitization Undertaking.

Subsidiary ” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of securities or other interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the BV Borrower.

Swap Contract ” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward contracts, future contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, sell buy back and buy sell back agreements, and securities lending and borrowing agreements or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “ Master Agreement ”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.

Swap Termination Value ” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a) , the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).

Swing Line Borrowing ” means a borrowing of a Swing Line Loan pursuant to Section 2.04 .

Swing Line Facility ” means the revolving credit facility made available by the Swing Line Lender pursuant to Section 2.04 .

Swing Line Lender ” means the Initial Swing Line Lender in its capacity as provider of Swing Line Loans, or any successor swing line lender hereunder.

Swing Line Loan ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.04(a) .

Swing Line Loan Notice ” means a notice of a Swing Line Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.04(b) , which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit B .

Swing Line Note ” means a promissory note of any Borrower payable to the Swing Line Lender or its registered assigns, in substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto, evidencing the aggregate

 

Credit Agreement

44


indebtedness of such Borrower to such Swing Line Lender resulting from the Swing Line Loans made by the Swing Line Lender.

Swing Line Sublimit ” means $75,000,000. The Swing Line Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Revolving Credit Facility.

Syndication Agent ” means Barclays Capital, the investment banking division of Barclays Bank PLC, as syndication agent under this Agreement.

Synthetic Indebtedness ” means, with respect to any Person as of any date of determination thereof, all Obligations of such Person in respect of transactions entered into by such Person that are intended to function primarily as a borrowing of funds (including, without limitation, any minority interest transactions that function primarily as a borrowing) but are not otherwise included in the definition of “Indebtedness” or as a liability on the consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP.

Target ” has the meaning specified in the preliminary statements to this Agreement.

Taxes ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.01(a) .

Term Borrowing ” means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Term Loans of the same Type (if applicable) and, in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans having the same Interest Period made by each of the Term Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01(a) .

Term Commitment ” means, as to each Lender, its obligation to make a Term Loan to the Borrowers pursuant to Section 2.01(a) in an aggregate amount not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01 under the caption “Term Commitment” or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement. The aggregate amount of the Term Commitments as of the Closing Date is $1,100,000,000.

Term Lender ” means, at any time, any Lender that has a Term Commitment or holds a Term Loan at such time.

Term Loan Facility ” means the Term Loans or the Additional Term Loans, as the context may require.

Term Loans ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01(a) .

Term Note ” means a promissory note of any Borrower payable to any Term Lender or its registered assigns, in substantially the form of Exhibit C-1 hereto, evidencing the aggregate indebtedness of such Borrower to such Term Lender resulting from the Term Loans made by such Term Lender.

Test Period ” means, at any date of determination, the most recently completed four consecutive fiscal quarters of the BV Borrower ending on or prior to such date.

Threshold Amount ” means $50,000,000.

Total Leverage Ratio ” means, with respect to the Borrower Parties on a consolidated basis, as of the end of any fiscal quarter of the BV Borrower for the four (4) fiscal quarter period ending on such date, the ratio of (a) Adjusted Consolidated Funded Indebtedness (net of Cash on Hand) of the Borrower

 

Credit Agreement

45


Parties on the last day of such period to (b) Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower Parties for such period.

Total Outstandings ” means the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Loans and all L/C Obligations.

Transactions ” means, collectively, (a) the execution and delivery and performance by the Loan Parties of each Loan Document to which they are a party executed and delivered or to be executed and delivered on or prior to the Closing Date, and, in the case of each Borrower, the making of the initial Borrowings hereunder, (b) the execution, delivery and performance by the Loan Parties of the Senior Note Documents to which they are a party and, in the case of the BV Borrower, the issuance of the Senior Notes, (c) the repayment of the loans outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement and of the Existing Senior Notes and Existing Senior Subordinated Notes with the proceeds of the Loans and the Senior Notes, (d) the consummation of any other transactions in connection with the foregoing, and (e) the payment of the fees and expenses incurred in connection with any of the foregoing.

Type ” means, with respect to a Loan denominated in Dollars, its character as a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Rate Loan.

Ultimate Parent ” means Sensata Technologies Holding N.V.

Ultimate Parent Entity ” means each of Sensata Technologies Coop Holding B.V. and Sensata Technologies Holding Coöperatief U.A.

Unfunded Advances/Participations ” means (a) with respect to the Administrative Agent, the aggregate amount, if any (i) made available to the Borrowers on the assumption that each Appropriate Lender has made its Pro Rata Share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent and (ii) with respect to which a corresponding amount shall not in fact have been made available to the Administrative Agent by any such Lender, (b) with respect to the Swing Line Lender, the aggregate amount, if any, of participations in respect of any outstanding Swing Line Loan that shall not have been funded by the Appropriate Lenders in accordance with Section 2.04(c) and (c) with respect to the L/C Issuer, the aggregate amount of L/C Borrowings.

Uniform Commercial Code ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as the same may from time to time be in effect in the State of New York or the Uniform Commercial Code (or similar code or statute) of another jurisdiction, to the extent it may be required to apply to the creation or perfection of a security interest in any item or items of Collateral.

United States ” and “ US ” mean the United States of America.

Unreimbursed Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(c)(i) .

Unrestricted Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the BV Borrower designated by the board of directors of the BV Borrower as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 6.15 subsequent to the date hereof.

US Borrower ” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

Weighted Average Life to Maturity ” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing: (a) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (i) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal,

 

Credit Agreement

46


including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (ii) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by (b) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

SECTION 1.02. Other Interpretive Provisions . With reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Loan Document:

(a) The meanings of defined terms are equally applicable to the singular and plural forms of the defined terms.

(b) (i) The words “herein,” “hereto,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document shall refer to such Loan Document as a whole and not to any particular provision thereof.

(ii) Article, Section, Exhibit and Schedule references are to the Loan Document in which such reference appears.

(iii) The term “including” is by way of example and not limitation.

(c) In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including;” the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding;” and the word “through” means “to and including.”

(d) Section headings herein and in the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

SECTION 1.03. Accounting Terms . (a) All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP, as in effect from time to time, except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein. All financial ratios calculated pursuant to Section 7.11 shall be calculated in a manner consistent with that used in preparing the Historical Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein.

(b) If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio set forth in any Loan Document, and either the BV Borrower or the Required Lenders shall so request, the Administrative Agent and the BV Borrower shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Required Lenders and Borrowers); provided that, until so amended, (i) such ratio shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (ii) the BV Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders a written reconciliation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, between calculations of such ratio made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, financial ratios and other financial calculations pursuant to this Agreement shall, following any Specified Transaction, be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis. In addition, the financial ratios and related definitions set forth in the Loan Documents shall be computed to exclude the application of ASC 480, ASC 815, ASC 805, and ASC

 

Credit Agreement

47


718 (to the extent these pronouncements under ASC 718 result in recording an equity award as a liability on the consolidated balance sheet of the BV Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the circumstance where, but for the application of the pronouncements, such award would have been classified as equity).

SECTION 1.04. Rounding . Any financial ratios required to be maintained by any Borrower pursuant to this Agreement (or required to be satisfied in order for a specific action to be permitted under this Agreement) shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).

SECTION 1.05. References to Agreements and Laws . Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, (a) references to Organization Documents, agreements (including the Loan Documents) and other contractual instruments shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments, restatements, extensions, supplements and other modifications thereto, but only to the extent that such amendments, restatements, extensions, supplements and other modifications are not prohibited by any Loan Document; and (b) references to any Law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting such Law.

SECTION 1.06. Times of Day . Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable).

SECTION 1.07. Timing of Payment or Performance . When the payment of any obligation or the performance of any covenant, duty or obligation is stated to be due or performance required on a day which is not a Business Day, the date of such payment (other than as described in the definition of Interest Period) or performance shall extend to the immediately succeeding Business Day and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the case may be.

SECTION 1.08. Currency Equivalents Generally . (a) Any amount specified in this Agreement (other than in Articles 2, 9 and 10 or as set forth in paragraph (b) of this Section) or any of the other Loan Documents to be in Dollars shall also include the equivalent of such amount in any currency other than Dollars, such equivalent amount to be determined at the rate of exchange quoted by the Reuters World Currency Page for the applicable currency at 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such day (or, in the event such rate does not appear on any Reuters World Currency Page, by reference to such other publicly available service for displaying exchange rates as may be agreed upon by the Administrative Agent and the relevant Borrower, or, in the absence of such agreement, such rate shall instead be the arithmetic average of the spot rates of exchange of the Administrative Agent in the market where its foreign currency exchange operations in respect of such currency are then being conducted, at or about 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on such date for the purchase of Dollars for delivery two Business Days later); provided that the determination determining compliance with Sections 7.01, 7.02 and 7.03 with respect to any amount of Indebtedness or Investment in a currency other than Dollars, no Default shall be deemed to have occurred solely as a result of changes in rates of exchange occurring after the time such Indebtedness or Investment is incurred; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing provisions of this Section 1.08 shall otherwise apply to such Sections, including with respect to determining whether any Indebtedness or Investment may be incurred at any time under such Sections.

 

Credit Agreement

48


(b) For purposes of determining compliance under Sections 7.02 , 7.05 , 7.06 , 7.11 and 7.15 , any amount in a currency other than Dollars will be converted to Dollars based on the average Exchange Rate for such currency for the most recent twelve-month period immediately prior to the date of determination determined in a manner consistent with that used in calculating EBITDA for the applicable period; provided, however , that the foregoing shall not be deemed to apply to the determination of any amount of Indebtedness. For purposes of determining compliance with Section 7.11 , the Dollar Amount of each Euro Loan and the equivalent in Dollars of any other Indebtedness denominated in a currency other than Dollars will reflect the currency translation effects, determined in accordance with GAAP, of Swap Contracts for currency exchange risks with respect to the applicable currency in effect on the date of determination of the Dollar Amount of such Euro Loan or the Dollar equivalent of such other Indebtedness.

SECTION 1.09. Certain Calculations . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, from the Closing Date until the first delivery of financial statements pursuant to Section 6.01, the calculation of the Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio for any purpose hereunder shall be determined as of the date of the then most recent financial statements internally available to the BV Borrower as of such date of determination, subject to all pro forma adjustments, if any, required in accordance with and as set forth in the applicable provision pursuant to which such Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio is so calculated.

ARTICLE 2

THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS

SECTION 2.01. The Loans . (a) The Term Borrowing . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender severally agrees to make to the BV Borrower or the US Borrower (as directed by the BV Borrower) a single Dollar loan on the Closing Date (each, a “ Term Loan ” and, collectively, the “ Term Loans ”) in an amount equal to such Lender’s Term Commitment. Amounts borrowed under this Section 2.01(a) and repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed. Term Loans may be Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Rate Loans, as further provided herein.

(b) The Revolving Credit Borrowings . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (i) each Dollar Revolving Credit Lender severally agrees to make loans denominated in Dollars to any Borrower as elected by such Borrower pursuant to Section 2.02 (each such loan, a “ Dollar Revolving Credit Loan ”) from time to time, on any Business Day until the Maturity Date during the Revolving Credit Commitment Period, in an aggregate Dollar Amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment and (ii) each Euro Revolving Credit Lender severally agrees to make loans denominated in Euros to any Borrower as elected by such Borrower pursuant to Section 2.02 (each such loan, an “ Euro Revolving Credit Loan ”) from time to time, on any Business Day until the Maturity Date, in an aggregate Dollar Amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment; provided that after giving effect to any Revolving Credit Borrowing, (i) the aggregate Dollar Amount of the Outstanding Amount of the Revolving Credit Loans of any Revolving Credit Lender, plus such Dollar Amount of the Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations, plus such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Outstanding Amount of all Swing Line Loans, shall not exceed such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment and (ii) the aggregate Dollar Amount of Euro Revolving Credit Loans and L/C Obligations in respect of Euro Letters of Credit shall not exceed the Euro Sublimit. Within the limits of each Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, each Borrower may borrow under this Section 2.01(b) , prepay under Section 2.05 , and reborrow under this Section 2.01(b) . Dollar Revolving Credit Loans may be Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans, as further provided herein,

 

Credit Agreement

49


and Euro Revolving Credit Loans must be EURIBOR Loans, as further provided herein; provided that all Dollar Revolving Credit Loans made by each of the Lenders pursuant to the same Borrowing shall, unless otherwise specifically provided herein, consist entirely of Revolving Credit Loans of the same Type made to the same Borrower.

SECTION 2.02. Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans . (a) Each Term Borrowing, each Revolving Credit Borrowing, each conversion of Term Loans or Dollar Revolving Credit Loans from one Type to the other, and each continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be made upon the relevant Borrower’s irrevocable (except as provided in Section 3.02, Section 3.03 and Section 3.04 herein) notice to the Administrative Agent, which may be given by telephone. Each such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent (x) with respect to any Borrowing on the Closing Date, not later than not later than 12:00 p.m. (noon) one (1) Business Day before the Closing Date and (y) with respect to any Borrowing after the Closing Date, (i) not later than 12:00 p.m. (noon) three (3) Business Days prior to the requested date of any Borrowing of Eurodollar Rate Loans, continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans or any conversion of Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar Rate Loans, (ii) not later than 12:00 p.m. (noon) one (1) Business Day before the requested date of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans and (iii) not later than 12:00 p.m. (noon) three (3) Business Days prior to the requested date of any Borrowing of Euro Revolving Credit Loans. Each telephonic notice by a Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.02(a) must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Administrative Agent of a written Committed Loan Notice, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of such Borrower. Each Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof (or comparable amounts determined by the Administrative Agent in the case of Euro Loans). Except as provided in Section 2.03(c)(i) and Section 2.04(c)(i) , each Borrowing of or conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof. Each Committed Loan Notice (whether telephonic or written) shall specify (i) whether the relevant Borrower is requesting a Term Borrowing, a Dollar Revolving Credit Borrowing, a Euro Revolving Credit Borrowing, a conversion of Term Loans or Dollar Revolving Credit Loans from one Type to the other, or a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans, (ii) the requested date of the Borrowing, conversion or continuation, as the case may be (which shall be a Business Day), (iii) the principal amount of Loans to be borrowed, converted or continued, (iv) the Type of Loans to be borrowed or to which existing Term Loans or Dollar Revolving Credit Loans are to be converted, (v) if applicable, the duration of the Interest Period with respect thereto and (vi) the account of the relevant Borrower to be credited with the proceeds of such Borrowing. If, with respect to Loans denominated in Dollars the relevant Borrower fails to specify a Type of Loan in a Committed Loan Notice or fails to give a timely notice requesting a conversion or continuation, then the applicable Term Loans or Dollar Revolving Credit Loans shall be made as, or converted to, Base Rate Loans. Any such automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be effective as of the last day of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to the applicable Eurodollar Rate Loans. If the relevant Borrower requests a Borrowing of, conversion to, or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans in any such Committed Loan Notice, but fails to specify an Interest Period (or fails to give a timely notice requesting a continuation of EURIBOR Loans denominated in Euros), it will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one (1) month. If no currency is specified, the requested Borrowing shall be in Dollars.

(b) Following receipt of a Committed Loan Notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Appropriate Lender of the amount of its Pro Rata Share of the applicable Class of Loans, and if no timely notice of a conversion or continuation is provided by the relevant Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the details of any automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans or continuation described in Section 2.02(a) . In the case of each Borrowing, each Appropriate Lender shall make the amount of its Loan available to the Administrative Agent in immediately available

 

Credit Agreement

50


funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office not later than 12:00 p.m. (noon) on the Business Day specified in the applicable Committed Loan Notice. Upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (or, if such Borrowing is the initial Credit Extension, Section 4.01 ), the Administrative Agent shall make all funds so received available to the relevant Borrower in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent by wire transfer of such funds in accordance with instructions provided to the Administrative Agent by such Borrower.

(c) Except as otherwise provided herein, a Eurodollar Rate Loan may be continued or converted only on the last day of an Interest Period for such Eurodollar Rate Loan unless the relevant Borrower pays the amount due, if any, under Section 3.05 in connection therewith. During the continuance of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders may require that no Loans may be converted to or continued as Eurodollar Rate Loans.

(d) The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the relevant Borrower and the Appropriate Lenders of the interest rate applicable to any Interest Period for Eurodollar Rate Loans upon determination of such interest rate. The determination of the Eurodollar Rate by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. At any time that Base Rate Loans are outstanding, the Administrative Agent shall notify the relevant Borrower and the Appropriate Lenders of any change in the Administrative Agent’s prime rate used in determining the Base Rate promptly following the determination of such change.

(e) After giving effect to all Term Borrowings, all Revolving Credit Borrowings, all conversions of Term Loans or Revolving Credit Loans from one Type to the other, and all continuations of Term Loans or Revolving Credit Loans as the same Type, there shall not be more than fifteen (15) Interest Periods in effect.

(f) The failure of any Lender to make the Loan to be made by it as part of any Borrowing shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligation, if any, hereunder to make its Loan on the date of such Borrowing, but no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make the Loan to be made by such other Lender on the date of any Borrowing.

SECTION 2.03. Letters of Credit . (a) The Letter of Credit Commitment . (i) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (A) the L/C Issuer agrees, in reliance upon the agreements of the other Revolving Credit Lenders set forth in this Section 2.03 , (1) from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the Closing Date until the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, to issue Letters of Credit denominated in Dollars or Euros for the account of the Borrowers (or any Restricted Subsidiary so long as a Borrower is a joint and several co-applicant, and references to a “Borrower” in this Section 2.03 shall be deemed to include reference to such Restricted Subsidiary) and to amend or renew Letters of Credit previously issued by it, in accordance with Section 2.03(b) , and (2) to honor drafts under the Letters of Credit; and (B) the Revolving Credit Lenders severally agree to participate in Letters of Credit issued for the account of the relevant Borrower; provided that the L/C Issuer shall not be obligated to make any L/C Credit Extension with respect to any Letter of Credit, and no Lender shall be obligated to participate in any Letter of Credit if, as of the date of such L/C Credit Extension, (x) the aggregate Dollar Amount of Outstanding Amount of the Revolving Credit Loans of any Revolving Credit Lender, plus such Lender’s Dollar Amount of Pro Rata Share of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations, plus such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Outstanding Amount of all Swing Line Loans, would exceed such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment, (y) the Dollar Amount of Outstanding Amount of the L/C Obligations would exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit or (z) the aggregate Dollar Amount of Euro Revolving Credit Loans and L/C Obligations in respect of Euro Letters of Credit would exceed the Euro Sublimit. Within the foregoing

 

Credit Agreement

51


limits, and subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the relevant Borrower’s ability to obtain Letters of Credit shall be fully revolving, and accordingly such Borrower may, during the foregoing period, obtain Letters of Credit to replace Letters of Credit that have expired or that have been drawn upon and reimbursed. All Existing Letters of Credit shall be deemed to have been issued pursuant hereto, and from and after the Closing Date shall be subject to and governed by the terms and conditions hereof; provided that to the extent any Existing Letter of Credit was issued by a Person that is not a party to this Agreement, the obligations of the Borrowers to the L/C Issuer under this Section 2.03 in respect of such Existing Letter of Credit shall instead be obligations of the Borrowers to such Person, and such Person shall be entitled to all the rights, remedies and protections set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents in respect of such Existing Letter of Credit as though it were the L/C Issuer.

(ii) The L/C Issuer shall be under no obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if:

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

(B) subject to Section 2.03(b)(iii) , the expiry date of such requested Letter of Credit, prior to giving effect to any automatic renewal, would occur more than twelve months after the date of issuance or last renewal, unless the Required Lenders have approved such expiry date;

(C) the expiry date of such requested Letter of Credit would occur after the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, unless all the Revolving Credit Lenders have approved such expiry date; or

(D) the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate any Laws or one or more policies of the L/C Issuer.

(iii) The L/C Issuer shall be under no obligation to amend any Letter of Credit if (A) the L/C Issuer would have no obligation at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof, or (B) the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit does not accept the proposed amendment to such Letter of Credit.

(iv) In the case where any Revolving Credit Lender is at any time a Defaulting Lender, the Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the L/C Obligations will be reallocated among all Revolving Credit Lenders that are not Defaulting Lenders (pro rata in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares) but only to the extent the total Revolving Credit Exposure of all Revolving Credit Lenders that are not Defaulting Lenders plus such Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the L/C Obligations and any Swing Line Loans, in each case, except to the extent Cash Collateralized, does not exceed the aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments (excluding the Revolving Credit Commitment of any Defaulting Lender except to the extent of any outstanding Revolving Credit Loans of such Defaulting Lender) in which

 

Credit Agreement

52


case the Revolving Credit Commitments of all Defaulting Lenders shall be deemed to be zero (except to the extent Cash Collateral has been posted by such Defaulting Lender in respect of any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s L/C Obligations or participations in Swing Line Loans) for purposes of any determination of the Revolving Credit Lenders’ respective Pro Rata Shares of L/C Obligations (including for purposes of all fee calculations hereunder).

(b) Procedures for Issuance and Amendment of Letters of Credit; Auto-Renewal Letters of Credit . (i) Each Letter of Credit shall be issued or amended, as the case may be, upon the request of the relevant Borrower delivered to the L/C Issuer (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) in the form of a Letter of Credit Application, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of such Borrower. Such Letter of Credit Application must be received by the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. at least ten (10) days, or such shorter period as mutually agreed, prior to the proposed issuance date or date of amendment, as the case may be, or such later date and time as the L/C Issuer may agree in a particular instance in its sole discretion. In the case of a request for an initial issuance of a Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the L/C Issuer: (A) the proposed issuance date of the requested Letter of Credit (which shall be a Business Day); (B) the amount thereof; (C) the expiry date thereof; (D) the name and address of the beneficiary thereof; (E) the documents to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (F) the full text of any certificate to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (G) the currency in which the requested Letter of Credit will denominated; and (H) such other matters as the L/C Issuer may reasonably request. In the case of a request for an amendment of any outstanding Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the L/C Issuer: (A) the Letter of Credit to be amended; (B) the proposed date of amendment thereof (which shall be a Business Day); (C) the nature of the proposed amendment; and (D) such other matters as the L/C Issuer may reasonably request.

(ii) Promptly after receipt of any Letter of Credit Application, the L/C Issuer will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has received a copy of such Letter of Credit Application from the relevant Borrower and, if not, the L/C Issuer will provide the Administrative Agent with a copy thereof. Upon receipt by the L/C Issuer of confirmation from the Administrative Agent that the requested issuance or amendment is permitted in accordance with the terms hereof (such confirmation to be promptly provided by the Administrative Agent), then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the L/C Issuer shall, on the requested date, issue a Letter of Credit for the account of the relevant Borrower or enter into the applicable amendment, as the case may be. Immediately upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit, each Revolving Credit Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the L/C Issuer an unfunded risk participation in such Letter of Credit in an amount equal to the product of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share times the amount of such Letter of Credit.

(iii) If the relevant Borrower so requests in any applicable Letter of Credit Application, the L/C Issuer may, in its sole and absolute discretion, agree to issue a Letter of Credit that has automatic renewal provisions (each, an “ Auto-Renewal Letter of Credit ”); provided that any such Auto-Renewal Letter of Credit must permit the L/C Issuer to prevent any such renewal at least once in each twelve month period (commencing with the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit) by giving prior notice to the beneficiary thereof not later than a day (the “ Nonrenewal Notice Date ”) in each such twelve month period to be agreed upon at the time such Letter of Credit is issued. Unless otherwise directed by the L/C Issuer, no Borrower shall be required to make a specific request to the L/C Issuer for any such renewal. Once an Auto-Renewal Letter of Credit has been issued, the Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) the L/C Issuer to permit the renewal of such

 

Credit Agreement

53


Letter of Credit at any time to an expiry date not later than the Letter of Credit Expiration Date; provided that the L/C Issuer shall not permit any such renewal if (A) the L/C Issuer has determined that it would have no obligation at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its renewed form under the terms hereof (by reason of the provisions of Section 2.03(a)(ii) or otherwise), or (B) it has received notice (which may be by telephone or in writing) on or before the day that is five (5) Business Days before the Nonrenewal Notice Date (1) from the Administrative Agent that the Required Lenders have elected not to permit such renewal or (2) from the Administrative Agent, any Revolving Credit Lender or any Borrower that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 4.03 is not then satisfied.

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

(c) Drawings and Reimbursements; Funding of Participations . (i) Upon receipt from the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit of any notice of a drawing under such Letter of Credit, the L/C Issuer shall notify the relevant Borrower and the Administrative Agent thereof. Not later than 12:00 p.m. (noon) on the Business Day immediately following any payment by the L/C Issuer under a Letter of Credit (each such date, an “ Honor Date ”), the relevant Borrower shall reimburse the L/C Issuer through the Administrative Agent in an amount equal to the amount of such drawing. If any Borrower fails to so reimburse the L/C Issuer by such time, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Revolving Credit Lender of the Honor Date, the amount of the unreimbursed drawing (expressed in Dollars in the Dollar Amount thereof in the case of Euros) (the “ Unreimbursed Amount ”), and the amount of such Revolving Credit Lender’s Pro Rata Share thereof. In such event, the relevant Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a Revolving Credit Borrowing of Base Rate Loans to be disbursed on the Honor Date in an amount equal to the Unreimbursed Amount, without regard to the minimum and multiples specified in Section 2.02(a) for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans but subject to the amount of the unutilized portion of the Revolving Credit Commitments and the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than the delivery of a Committed Loan Notice). Any notice given by the L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 2.03(c)(i) may be given by telephone if promptly confirmed in writing; provided that the lack of a prompt confirmation shall not affect the conclusiveness or binding effect of such notice.

(ii) Each Revolving Credit Lender (including the Lender acting as the L/C Issuer) shall upon any notice pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(i) make funds available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer, in Dollars, at the Administrative Agent’s Office in an amount equal to its Pro Rata Share of the Unreimbursed Amount not later than 1:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in such notice by the Administrative Agent, whereupon, subject to the provisions of Section 2.03(c)(iii) , each Revolving Credit Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Base Rate Loan to the relevant Borrower in such amount. The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the L/C Issuer.

(iii) With respect to any Unreimbursed Amount that is not fully refinanced by a Revolving Credit Borrowing of Base Rate Loans because the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 cannot be satisfied or for any other reason, the relevant Borrower shall be deemed to have incurred from the L/C Issuer an L/C Borrowing in the amount of the Unreimbursed Amount that is not so refinanced, which L/C Borrowing shall be due and payable on demand (together with interest) and shall bear interest at the Default Rate. In such event, each Revolving Credit Lender’s payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(ii) shall be deemed payment in respect of its participation in such L/C

 

Credit Agreement

54


Borrowing and shall constitute an L/C Advance from such Lender in satisfaction of its participation obligation under this Section 2.03 .

(iv) Until each Revolving Credit Lender funds its Revolving Credit Loan or L/C Advance pursuant to this Section 2.03(c) to reimburse the L/C Issuer for any amount drawn under any Letter of Credit, interest in respect of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of such amount shall be solely for the account of the L/C Issuer.

(v) Each Revolving Credit Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans or L/C Advances to reimburse the L/C Issuer for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit, as contemplated by this Section 2.03(c) , shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against the L/C Issuer, any Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default, or (C) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided that each Revolving Credit Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans pursuant to this Section 2.03(c) is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than delivery by the relevant Borrower of a Committed Loan Notice). No such making of an L/C Advance shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the relevant Borrower to reimburse the L/C Issuer for the amount of any payment made by the L/C Issuer under any Letter of Credit, together with interest as provided herein.

(vi) If any Revolving Credit Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer any amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.03(c) by the time specified in Section 2.03(c)(ii) , the L/C Issuer shall be entitled to recover from such Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the L/C Issuer at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect. A certificate of the L/C Issuer submitted to any Revolving Credit Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this Section 2.03(c)(vi) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(d) Repayment of Participations . (i) If, at any time after the L/C Issuer has made a payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any Revolving Credit Lender such Lender’s L/C Advance in respect of such payment in accordance with Section 2.03(c) , the Administrative Agent receives for the account of the L/C Issuer any payment in respect of the related Unreimbursed Amount or interest thereon (whether directly from the relevant Borrower or otherwise, including proceeds of Cash Collateral applied thereto by the Administrative Agent), the Administrative Agent will distribute to such Lender its Pro Rata Share thereof (appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest payments, to reflect the period of time during which such Lender’s L/C Advance was outstanding) in the same currency as the Letter of Credit issued by such L/C Issuer.

(ii) If any payment received by the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(d)(i) is required to be returned under any of the circumstances described in Section 10.06 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the L/C Issuer in its discretion), each Revolving Credit Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer its Pro Rata Share thereof on demand of the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned by such Lender, at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect.

 

Credit Agreement

55


(e) Obligations Absolute . The obligation of each Borrower to reimburse the L/C Issuer for each drawing under each Letter of Credit issued for its account and to repay each L/C Borrowing relating to any Letter of Credit issued for its account shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances, including the following:

(i) any lack of validity or enforceability of such Letter of Credit, this Agreement, or any other agreement or instrument relating thereto;

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

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

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

(v) any exchange, release or nonperfection of any Collateral, or any release or amendment or waiver of or consent to departure from the Guaranty or any other guarantee, for all or any of the Obligations of such Borrower in respect of such Letter of Credit; or

(vi) any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, including any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, such Borrower;

provided that the foregoing shall not excuse the L/C Issuer from liability to such Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential damages, claims in respect of which are waived by such Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable Law) suffered by such Borrower that are determined by a nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to have been caused by the L/C Issuer’s gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof.] Each Borrower shall promptly examine a copy of each Letter of Credit issued for its account and each amendment thereto that is delivered to it and, in the event of any claim of noncompliance with such Borrower’s instructions or other irregularity, such Borrower will promptly notify the L/C Issuer. Each Borrower shall be conclusively deemed to have waived any such claim against the L/C Issuer and its correspondents unless such notice is given as aforesaid.

 

Credit Agreement

56


(f) Role of L/C Issuer . Each Lender and each Borrower agree that, in paying any drawing under a Letter of Credit, the L/C Issuer shall not have any responsibility to obtain any document (other than any sight draft, certificates and documents expressly required by the Letter of Credit) or to ascertain or inquire as to the validity or accuracy of any such document or the authority of the Person executing or delivering any such document. None of the L/C Issuer, any Agent-Related Person nor any of the respective correspondents, participants or assignees of the L/C Issuer shall be liable to any Lender for (i) any action taken or omitted in connection herewith at the request or with the approval of the Lenders or the Required Lenders, as applicable; (ii) any action taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct; or (iii) the due execution, effectiveness, validity or enforceability of any document or instrument related to any Letter of Credit or Letter of Credit Application. Each Borrower hereby assumes all risks of the acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee with respect to its use of any Letter of Credit; provided that this assumption is not intended to, and shall not, preclude such Borrower’s pursuing such rights and remedies as it may have against the beneficiary or transferee at Law or under any other agreement. None of the L/C Issuer, any Agent-Related Person, nor any of the respective correspondents, participants or assignees of the L/C Issuer, shall be liable or responsible for any of the matters described in clauses (i)  through (vi)  of Section 2.03(e) ; provided that anything in such clauses to the contrary notwithstanding, each relevant Borrower may have a claim against the L/C Issuer, and the L/C Issuer may be liable to such Borrower, to the extent, but only to the extent, of any direct, as opposed to consequential or exemplary, damages suffered by such Borrower which such Borrower proves were caused by the L/C Issuer’s willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence or the L/C Issuer’s willful or grossly negligent or bad faith failure to pay under any Letter of Credit after the presentation to it by the beneficiary of a sight draft and certificate(s) strictly complying with the terms and conditions of a Letter of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, the L/C Issuer may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, and the L/C Issuer shall not be responsible for the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign a Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason.

(g) Cash Collateral . Upon the request of the Administrative Agent, (i) if the L/C Issuer has honored any full or partial drawing request under any Letter of Credit and such drawing has resulted in an L/C Borrowing and the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 to a Revolving Credit Borrowing cannot then be met, or (ii) if, as of the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, any Letter of Credit may for any reason remain outstanding and partially or wholly undrawn, the relevant Borrower shall promptly Cash Collateralize (x) in the case of clause (i) , 100% and (y) in the case of clause (ii) , 102%, in each case, the then Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations (such Outstanding Amount to be determined as of the date of such L/C Borrowing or the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, as the case may be) or, in the case of clause (ii) , provide a back to back letter of credit in a face amount at least equal to 102% of the then undrawn amount of such Letter of Credit from an issuer and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the L/C Issuer in its reasonable discretion. Any Letter of Credit that is so Cash Collateralized or in respect of which such a back-to-back letter of credit shall have been issued shall be deemed no longer outstanding for purposes of this Agreement. For purposes hereof, “ Cash Collateralize ” means to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the L/C Issuer and the Lenders, as collateral for the L/C Obligations, cash or deposit account balances (“ Cash Collateral ”) pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer (which documents are hereby consented to by the Lenders). Derivatives of such term have corresponding meanings. Cash Collateral shall be maintained in deposit accounts designated by the Administrative Agent and which is under the sole dominion and control of the Administrative Agent and shall be deposited in an interest-bearing account. If at any time the Administrative Agent determines that any funds held as Cash Collateral are subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Administrative Agent or claims of the depositary bank arising by operation of law or that the total amount

 

Credit Agreement

57


of such funds is less than the amount required by the first sentence of this clause (g) , the relevant Borrower will, forthwith upon demand by the Administrative Agent, pay to the Administrative Agent, as additional funds to be deposited and held in the deposit accounts designated by the Administrative Agent as aforesaid, an amount equal to the excess of (x) 100% or 102%, as applicable, of such aggregate Outstanding Amount over (y) the total amount of funds, if any, then held as Cash Collateral that the Administrative Agent reasonably determines to be free and clear of any such right and claim. Upon the drawing of any Letter of Credit for which funds are on deposit as Cash Collateral, such funds shall be applied, to the extent permitted under applicable Law, to reimburse the L/C Issuer. To the extent the amount of any Cash Collateral exceeds 100% or 102%, as applicable, of the then Outstanding Amount of such L/C Obligations and so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the excess shall be refunded to the relevant Borrower.

(h) Applicability of ISP98 and UCP . Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the L/C Issuer and the relevant Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued (including any such agreement applicable to an Existing Letter of Credit), (i) the rules of the “International Standby Practices 1998” published by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance) shall apply to each standby Letter of Credit, and (ii) the rules of the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, as most recently published by the International Chamber of Commerce at the time of issuance shall apply to each commercial Letter of Credit.

(i) Letter of Credit Fees . Each Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Credit Lender in accordance with its Pro Rata Share a Letter of Credit fee for each Letter of Credit issued for the account of such Borrower equal to (A) the Applicable Rate minus 0.125% or such other fronting fee that is charged with respect to such Letter of Credit, multiplied by (B) the daily maximum amount then available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. Such letter of credit fees shall be computed on a quarterly basis in arrears. Such letter of credit fees shall be due and payable on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, on the Letter of Credit Expiration Date and thereafter on demand. If there is any change in the Applicable Rate during any quarter, the daily maximum amount of each Letter of Credit shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Rate (less 0.125% or such other fronting fee that is charged with respect to such Letter of Credit) separately for each period during such quarter that such Applicable Rate was in effect.

(j) Fronting Fee and Documentary and Processing Charges Payable to L/C Issuer . Each Borrower shall pay directly to the L/C Issuer for its own account a fronting fee with respect to each Letter of Credit issued for the account of such Borrower equal to 0.125% per annum of the daily maximum amount then available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. Such fronting fees shall be computed on a quarterly basis in arrears. Such fronting fees shall be due and payable on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, on the Letter of Credit Expiration Date and thereafter on demand. In addition, each Borrower shall pay directly to the L/C Issuer for its own account the customary issuance, presentation, amendment and other processing fees, and other standard costs and charges, of the L/C Issuer relating to letters of credit as from time to time in effect. Such customary fees not related to the fronting fee and standard costs and charges are due and payable within five (5) Business Days of written demand by the L/C Issuer setting forth in reasonable detail such costs and charges and are nonrefundable.

(k) Conflict with Letter of Credit Application . In the event of any conflict between the terms hereof and the terms of any Letter of Credit Application, the terms of this Agreement shall control.

(l) Provisions Related to Extended Revolving Credit Commitments . If the maturity date in respect of any tranche of Revolving Credit Commitments occurs prior to the expiration of any Letter of

 

Credit Agreement

58


Credit, then (i) if one or more other tranches of Revolving Credit Commitments in respect of which the maturity date shall not have occurred are then in effect, such Letters of Credit shall automatically be deemed to have been issued (including for purposes of the obligations of the Revolving Credit Lenders to purchase participations therein and to make Revolving Credit Loans and payments in respect thereof pursuant to Section 2.03(d) ) under (and ratably participated in by Lenders pursuant to) the Revolving Credit Commitments in respect of such non-terminating tranches up to an aggregate amount not to exceed the aggregate principal amount of the unutilized Revolving Credit Commitments thereunder at such time and (ii) to the extent not reallocated pursuant to immediately preceding clause (i), the Borrower shall Cash Collateralize any such Letter of Credit in accordance with Section 2.03(g) . If, for any reason, such Cash Collateral is not provided or the reallocation does not occur, the Revolving Credit Lenders under the maturing tranche shall continue to be responsible for their participating interests in the Letters of Credit. Except to the extent of reallocations of participations pursuant to clause (i) of the second preceding sentence, the occurrence of a maturity date with respect to a given tranche of Revolving Credit Commitments shall have no effect upon (and shall not diminish) the percentage participations of the Revolving Credit Lenders in any Letter of Credit issued before such maturity date. Commencing with the maturity date of any tranche of Revolving Credit Commitments, the sublimit for Letters of Credit shall be agreed with the Lenders under the extended tranches.

SECTION 2.04. Swing Line Loans . (a) The Swing Line . (i) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Swing Line Lender agrees to make loans (each such loan, a “ Swing Line Loan ”) to each Borrower from time to time on any Business Day (other than the Closing Date) during the Revolving Credit Commitment Period in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of the Swing Line Sublimit, notwithstanding the fact that such Swing Line Loans, when aggregated with the Pro Rata Share of the Outstanding Amount of Loans and L/C Obligations of the Lender acting as Swing Line Lender, may exceed the amount of such Lender’s Commitment; provided that after giving effect to any Swing Line Loan, the aggregate Dollar Amount of the Outstanding Amount of the Revolving Credit Loans of any Revolving Credit Lender, plus such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations, plus such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Dollar Amount of the Outstanding Amount of all Swing Line Loans shall not exceed such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment; provided further that neither Borrower shall use the proceeds of any Swing Line Loan to refinance any outstanding Swing Line Loan. Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrowers may borrow under this Section 2.04 , prepay under Section 2.05 , and reborrow under this Section 2.04 . Each Swing Line Loan shall be a Base Rate Loan. Swing Line Loans shall only be denominated in Dollars. Immediately upon the making of a Swing Line Loan, each Revolving Credit Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the Swing Line Lender an unfunded risk participation in such Swing Line Loan in an amount equal to the product of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share times the amount of such Swing Line Loan.

(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at any time any Revolving Credit Lender is a Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Swing Line Loans will be reallocated among all Revolving Credit Lenders that are not Defaulting Lenders (pro rata in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares) but only to the extent the total Revolving Credit Exposure of all Revolving Credit Lenders that are not Defaulting Lenders plus such Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Swing Line Loans and any L/C Obligations, in each case, except to the extent Cash Collateralized, does not exceed the aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments (excluding the Revolving Credit Commitment of any Defaulting Lender except to the extent of any outstanding Revolving Credit Loans of such Defaulting Lender), in which case the Revolving Credit Commitments of all Defaulting Lenders shall be deemed to be zero (except to the extent Cash Collateral has been posted by such Defaulting Lender in respect of any portion

 

Credit Agreement

59


of such Defaulting Lender’s participations in Swing Line Loans or L/C Obligations) for purposes of any determination of the Revolving Credit Lenders’ respective Pro Rata Shares of the Swing Line Loans (including for purposes of all fee calculations hereunder).

(b) Borrowing Procedures . Each Swing Line Borrowing shall be made upon the relevant Borrower’s irrevocable notice to the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent, which may be given by telephone. Each such notice must be received by the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. on the requested borrowing date, and shall specify (i) the amount to be borrowed, which shall be a minimum of $1,000,000 (ii) the requested borrowing date, which shall be a Business Day and (iii) the account of the relevant Borrower to be credited with the proceeds of such Swing Line Borrowing. Each such telephonic notice must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent of a written Swing Line Loan Notice, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the relevant Borrower. Promptly after receipt by the Swing Line Lender of any telephonic Swing Line Loan Notice, the Swing Line Lender will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has also received such Swing Line Loan Notice and, if not, the Swing Line Lender will notify the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) of the contents thereof. Unless the Swing Line Lender has received notice (by telephone or in writing) from the Administrative Agent (including at the request of any Revolving Credit Lender) prior to 2:00 p.m. on the date of such proposed Swing Line Borrowing (A) directing the Swing Line Lender not to make such Swing Line Loan as a result of the limitations set forth in the first proviso to the first sentence of Section 2.04(a) , or (B) that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 4.02 is not then satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Swing Line Lender will, not later than 3:00 p.m. on the borrowing date specified in such Swing Line Loan Notice, make the amount of its Swing Line Loan available to the relevant Borrower.

(c) Refinancing of Swing Line Loans . (i) The Swing Line Lender at any time in its sole and absolute discretion may request, on behalf of the relevant Borrower (each of which hereby irrevocably authorizes the Swing Line Lender to so request on its behalf), that each Revolving Credit Lender make a Base Rate Loan in an amount equal to such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the amount of Swing Line Loans then outstanding. Each such request shall be made in writing (which written request shall be deemed to be a Committed Loan Notice for purposes hereof) and in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.02(a) , without regard to the minimum and multiples specified therein for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans, but subject to the unutilized portion of the aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments and the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 . The Swing Line Lender shall furnish the relevant Borrower with a copy of the applicable Committed Loan Notice promptly after delivering such notice to the Administrative Agent. Each Revolving Credit Lender shall make an amount equal to its Pro Rata Share of the amount specified in such Committed Loan Notice available to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds for the account of the Swing Line Lender at the Administrative Agent’s Office not later than 1:00 p.m. on the day specified in such Committed Loan Notice, whereupon, subject to Section 2.04(c)(ii) , each Revolving Credit Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Base Rate Loan to the relevant Borrower in such amount. The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the Swing Line Lender.

(ii) If for any reason any Swing Line Loan cannot be refinanced by such a Revolving Credit Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.04(c)(i) , the request for Base Rate Loans submitted by the Swing Line Lender as set forth herein shall be deemed to be a request by the Swing Line Lender that each of the Revolving Credit Lenders fund its risk participation in such Swing Line Loan and each such Revolving Credit Lender’s payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender pursuant to Section 2.04(c)(i) shall be deemed payment in respect of such participation.

 

Credit Agreement

60


(iii) If any Revolving Credit Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender any amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.04(c) by the time specified in Section 2.04(c)(i) , the Swing Line Lender shall be entitled to recover from such Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the Swing Line Lender at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect. A certificate of the Swing Line Lender submitted to any Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (iii)  shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(iv) Each Revolving Credit Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans or to purchase and fund risk participations in Swing Line Loans pursuant to this Section 2.04(c) shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against the Swing Line Lender, any Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default, or (C) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided that each Revolving Credit Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans pursuant to this Section 2.04(c) is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than delivery by a Borrower of a Committed Loan Notice). No such funding of risk participations shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the relevant Borrower to repay Swing Line Loans, together with interest as provided herein.

(d) Repayment of Participations . (i) At any time after any Revolving Credit Lender has purchased and funded a risk participation in a Swing Line Loan, if the Swing Line Lender receives any payment on account of such Swing Line Loan, the Swing Line Lender will distribute to such Lender its Pro Rata Share of such payment (appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest payments, to reflect the period of time during which such Lender’s risk participation was funded) in the same currency as such Swing Line Loan funded by the Swing Line Lender.

(ii) If any payment received by the Swing Line Lender in respect of principal or interest on any Swing Line Loan is required to be returned by the Swing Line Lender under any of the circumstances described in Section 10.06 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Swing Line Lender in its discretion), each Revolving Credit Lender shall pay to the Swing Line Lender its Pro Rata Share thereof on demand of the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned, at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Federal Funds Rate. The Administrative Agent will make such demand upon the request of the Swing Line Lender.

(e) Interest for Account of Swing Line Lender . The Swing Line Lender shall be responsible for invoicing the relevant Borrower for interest on the Swing Line Loans. Until each Revolving Credit Lender funds its Base Rate Loan or risk participation pursuant to this Section 2.04 to refinance such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of any Swing Line Loan, interest in respect of such Pro Rata Share shall be solely for the account of the Swing Line Lender.

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

(g) Provisions Related to Extended Revolving Credit Commitments . If the maturity date shall have occurred in respect of any tranche of Revolving Credit Commitments at a time when another

 

Credit Agreement

61


tranche or tranches of Revolving Credit Commitments is or are in effect with a longer maturity date, then on the earliest occurring maturity date all then outstanding Swingline Loans shall be repaid in full on such date (and there shall be no adjustment to the participations in such Swingline Loans as a result of the occurrence of such maturity date); provided , however that if on the occurrence of such earliest maturity date (after giving effect to any repayments of Revolving Credit Loans and any reallocation of Letter of Credit participations as contemplated in Section 2.03(l) ), there shall exist sufficient unutilized Extended Revolving Credit Commitments so that the respective outstanding Swingline Loans could be incurred pursuant to the Extended Revolving Credit Commitments which will remain in effect after the occurrence of such maturity date, then there shall be an automatic adjustment on such date of the participations in such Swingline Loans and same shall be deemed to have been incurred solely pursuant to the relevant Extended Revolving Credit Commitments, and such Swingline Loans shall not be so required to be repaid in full on such earliest maturity date.

SECTION 2.05. Prepayments . (a) Optional . (i) Any Borrower may, upon notice to the Administrative Agent, at any time or from time to time voluntarily prepay Loans made to such Borrower, in each case, in whole or in part without premium or penalty; provided that (A) such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 p.m. (noon) (1) three (3) Business Days prior to any date of prepayment of Eurodollar Rate Loans or EURIBOR Loans and (2) on the date of prepayment of Base Rate Loans; (B) any prepayment of Eurodollar Rate Loans or EURIBOR Loans shall be in a principal amount of $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof (or comparable amounts determined by the Administrative Agent in the case of Euro Loans) or, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding; and (C) any prepayment of Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof or, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding. Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment and the Class(es) and Type(s) of Loans to be prepaid. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Appropriate Lender of its receipt of each such notice, and of the amount of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of such prepayment. If such notice is given by a Borrower, such Borrower shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein. Any prepayment of a Eurodollar Rate Loan or EURIBOR Loan shall be accompanied by all accrued interest thereon, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05 . Each prepayment of principal of, and interest on, Euro Loans shall be made in the relevant Euro. Each prepayment of the Loans pursuant to this Section 2.05(a) shall be applied among the Facilities to such Class(es) in such amounts and, in the case of the Term Loan Facility, in such order of maturity, as the relevant Borrower may direct in its sole discretion. Each prepayment made by a Borrower in respect of a particular Facility shall be paid to the Administrative Agent for the account of (and to be promptly disbursed to) the Appropriate Lenders in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares.

(ii) Either Borrower may, upon notice to the Swing Line Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at any time or from time to time, voluntarily prepay Swing Line Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty; provided that (1) such notice must be received by the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 p.m. (noon) on the date of the prepayment, and (2) any such prepayment shall be in a minimum principal amount of $100,000 or, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding. Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment. If such notice is given by either Borrower, such Borrower shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein.

(iii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, any relevant Borrower may rescind any notice of prepayment under Section 2.05(a)(i) or Section

 

Credit Agreement

62


2.05(a)(ii) if such prepayment would have resulted from a refinancing of all or a portion of the Facilities, which refinancing shall not be consummated or shall otherwise be delayed.

(iv) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement (including but not limited to Sections 2.07 and 2.13 (which provisions shall not be applicable to this Section 2.05(a)(iv) ) or in any other Loan Document to the contrary, so long as (x) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (y) no proceeds of Loans under the Revolving Credit Facility are used for this purpose, the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries may prepay the outstanding Loans (which shall, for the avoidance of doubt, be automatically and permanently canceled immediately upon acquisition by the Borrowers) (or the Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries may purchase such outstanding Loans and immediately cancel them) on the following basis:

(A) Any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries shall have the right to make a voluntary prepayment of Loans at a discount to par pursuant to a Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment, Borrower Solicitation of Discount Range Prepayment Offers or Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers (any such prepayment, the “ Discounted Loan Prepayment ”), in each case made in accordance with this Section 2.05(a)(iv) .

(B) (1) Any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries may from time to time offer to make a Discounted Loan Prepayment by providing the Auction Agent notice in the form of a Specified Discount Prepayment Notice; provided that (I) any such offer shall be made available, at the sole discretion of the Loan Party or such Subsidiary, to (x) each Lender and/or (y) each Lender with respect to any Class of Loans on an individual tranche basis, (II) any such offer shall specify the aggregate principal amount offered to be prepaid (the “ Specified Discount Prepayment Amount ”) with respect to each applicable tranche, the tranche or tranches of Loans subject to such offer and the specific percentage discount to par (the “ Specified Discount ”) of such Loans to be prepaid (it being understood that different Specified Discounts and/or Specified Discount Prepayment Amounts may be offered with respect to different tranches of Loans and, in such event, each such offer will be treated as a separate offer pursuant to the terms of this Section), (III) the Specified Discount Prepayment Amount shall be in an aggregate amount not less than $5,000,000 and whole increments of $1,000,000 in excess thereof and (IV) each such offer shall remain outstanding through the Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date. The Auction Agent will promptly provide each Appropriate Lender with a copy of such Specified Discount Prepayment Notice and a form of the Specified Discount Prepayment Response to be completed and returned by each such Lender to the Auction Agent (or its delegate) by no later than 5:00 p.m., New York time, on the third Business Day after the date of delivery of such notice to such Lenders (which date may be extended for a period not exceeding three Business Days upon notice by the Loan Party or the Subsidiary to the Auction Agent) (the “ Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date ”).

(2) Each Lender receiving such offer shall notify the Auction Agent (or its delegate) by the Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date whether or not it agrees to accept a prepayment of any of its applicable then outstanding Loans at the Specified Discount and, if so (such accepting Lender, a “ Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender ”), the amount and the tranches of such Lender’s Loans to be prepaid at such offered discount. Each acceptance of a Discounted Loan Prepayment by a Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender shall be irrevocable. Any Lender whose Specified Discount Prepayment Response is not received by the Auction Agent by the Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date shall be deemed to have declined to accept the applicable Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment.

 

Credit Agreement

63


(3) If there is at least one Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender, the relevant Loan Party or Subsidiary will make a prepayment of outstanding Loans pursuant to this paragraph (B) to each Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date in accordance with the respective outstanding amount and tranches of Loans specified in such Lender’s Specified Discount Prepayment Response given pursuant to subsection (2) above; provided that, if the aggregate principal amount of Loans accepted for prepayment by all Discount Prepayment Accepting Lenders exceeds the Specified Discount Prepayment Amount, such prepayment shall be made pro rata among the Discount Prepayment Accepting Lenders in accordance with the respective principal amounts accepted to be prepaid by each such Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender and the Auction Agent (in consultation with such Loan Party or such Subsidiary and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its reasonable discretion) will calculate such proration (the “ Specified Discount Proration ”). The Auction Agent shall promptly, and in any case within three (3) Business Days following the Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date, notify (I) the relevant Loan Party or Subsidiary of the respective Lenders’ responses to such offer, the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date and the aggregate principal amount of the Discounted Loan Prepayment and the tranches to be prepaid, (II) each Lender of the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date, and the aggregate principal amount and the tranches of Loans to be prepaid at the Specified Discount on such date and (III) each Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender of the Specified Discount Proration, if any, and confirmation of the principal amount, tranche and Type of Loans of such Lender to be prepaid at the Specified Discount on such date. Each determination by the Auction Agent of the amounts stated in the foregoing notices to the Loan Party and such Lenders shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error. The payment amount specified in such notice to the Loan Party or Subsidiary shall be due and payable by such Loan Party on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date in accordance with subsection (F) below (subject to subsection (J) below).

(C) (1) Any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries may from time to time solicit Discount Range Prepayment Offers by providing the Auction Agent with notice in the form of a Discount Range Prepayment Notice; provided that (I) any such solicitation shall be extended, at the sole discretion of such Loan Party or such Subsidiary, to (x) each Lender and/or (y) each Lender with respect to any Class of Loans on an individual tranche basis, (II) any such notice shall specify the maximum aggregate principal amount of the relevant Loans (the “ Discount Range Prepayment Amount ”), the tranche or tranches of Loans subject to such offer and the maximum and minimum percentage discounts to par (the “ Discount Range ”) of the principal amount of such Loans with respect to each relevant tranche of Loans willing to be prepaid by such Loan Party or such Subsidiary (it being understood that different Discount Ranges and/or Discount Range Prepayment Amounts may be offered with respect to different tranches of Loans and, in such event, each such offer will be treated as separate offer pursuant to the terms of this Section), (III) the Discount Range Prepayment Amount shall be in an aggregate amount not less than $5,000,000 and whole increments of $1,000,000 in excess thereof and (IV) each such solicitation by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries shall remain outstanding through the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date. The Auction Agent will promptly provide each Appropriate Lender with a copy of such Discount Range Prepayment Notice and a form of the Discount Range Prepayment Offer to be submitted by a responding Lender to the Auction Agent (or its delegate) by no later than 5:00 p.m., New York time, on the third Business Day after the date of delivery of such notice to such Lenders (which date may be extended for a period not exceeding three Business Days upon notice by the Loan Party or Subsidiary to the Auction Agent) (the “ Discount Range Prepayment Response Date ”). Each Lender’s Discount

 

Credit Agreement

64


Range Prepayment Offer shall be irrevocable and shall specify one or more (but no more than three for any Lender) discounts to par within the Discount Range (the “ Submitted Discount ”) at which such Lender is willing to allow prepayment of any or all of its then outstanding Loans of the applicable tranche or tranches and the maximum aggregate principal amount and tranches of such Lender’s Loans (the “ Submitted Amount ”) such Lender is willing to have prepaid at the Submitted Discount. Any Lender whose Discount Range Prepayment Offer is not received by the Auction Agent by the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date shall be deemed to have declined to accept a Discounted Loan Prepayment of any of its Loans at any discount to their par value within the Discount Range.

(2) The Auction Agent shall review all Discount Range Prepayment Offers received on or before the applicable Discount Range Prepayment Response Date and shall determine (in consultation with such Loan Party or such Subsidiary and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its sole reasonable discretion) the Applicable Discount and Loans to be prepaid at such Applicable Discount in accordance with this subsection (C). The relevant Loan Party or Subsidiary agrees to accept on the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date all Discount Range Prepayment Offers received by Auction Agent within the Discount Range by the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date, in the order from the Submitted Discount that is the largest discount to par to the Submitted Discount that is the smallest discount to par, up to and including the Submitted Discount that is the smallest discount to par within the Discount Range (such Submitted Discount that is the smallest discount to par within the Discount Range being referred to as the “ Applicable Discount ”) which yields a Discounted Loan Prepayment in an aggregate principal amount equal to the lower of (I) the Discount Range Prepayment Amount and (II) the sum of all Submitted Amounts. Each Lender that has submitted a Discount Range Prepayment Offer to accept prepayment at a discount to par that is larger than or equal to the Applicable Discount shall be deemed to have irrevocably consented to prepayment of Loans equal to its Submitted Amount (subject to any required proration pursuant to the following subsection (3)) at the Applicable Discount (each such Lender, a “ Participating Lender ”).

(3) If there is at least one Participating Lender, the relevant Loan Party or Subsidiary will prepay the respective outstanding Loans of each Participating Lender on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date in the aggregate principal amount and of the tranches specified in such Lender’s Discount Range Prepayment Offer at the Applicable Discount; provided that if the Submitted Amount by all Participating Lenders offered at a discount to par greater than the Applicable Discount exceeds the Discount Range Prepayment Amount, prepayment of the principal amount of the relevant Loans for those Participating Lenders whose Submitted Discount is a discount to par greater than or equal to the Applicable Discount (the “ Identified Participating Lenders ”) shall be made pro rata among the Identified Participating Lenders in accordance with the Submitted Amount of each such Identified Participating Lender and the Auction Agent (in consultation with such Loan Party or such Subsidiary and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its sole reasonable discretion) will calculate such proration (the “ Discount Range Proration ”). The Auction Agent shall promptly, and in any case within five (5) Business Days following the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date, notify (I) the relevant Loan Party or Subsidiary of the respective Lenders’ responses to such solicitation, the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date, the Applicable Discount, and the aggregate principal amount of the Discounted Loan Prepayment and the tranches to be prepaid, (II) each Lender of the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date, the Applicable Discount, and the aggregate principal amount and tranches of Loans to be

 

Credit Agreement

65


prepaid at the Applicable Discount on such date, (III) each Participating Lender of the aggregate principal amount and tranches of such Lender to be prepaid at the Applicable Discount on such date, and (IV) if applicable, each Identified Participating Lender of the Discount Range Proration. Each determination by the Auction Agent of the amounts stated in the foregoing notices to the relevant Loan Party or Subsidiary and Lenders shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error. The payment amount specified in such notice to the Loan Party or Subsidiary shall be due and payable by such Loan Party on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date in accordance with subsection (F) below (subject to subsection (J) below).

(D) (1) Any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries may from time to time solicit Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers by providing the Auction Agent with notice in the form of a Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice; provided that (I) any such solicitation shall be extended, at the sole discretion of such Loan Party or such Subsidiary, to (x) each Lender and/or (y) each Lender with respect to any Class of Loans on an individual tranche basis, (II) any such notice shall specify the maximum aggregate amount of the Loans (the “ Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amount ”) and the tranche or tranches of Loans the Loan Party or Subsidiary is willing to prepay at a discount (it being understood that different Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amounts may be offered with respect to different tranches of Loans and, in such event, each such offer will be treated as separate offer pursuant to the terms of this Section), (III) the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amount shall be in an aggregate amount not less than $5,000,000 and whole increments of $1,000,000 in excess thereof and (IV) each such solicitation by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries shall remain outstanding through the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date. The Auction Agent will promptly provide each Appropriate Lender with a copy of such Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice and a form of the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer to be submitted by a responding Lender to the Auction Agent (or its delegate) by no later than 5:00 p.m., New York time on the third Business Day after the date of delivery of such notice to such Lenders (which date may be extended for a period not exceeding three Business Days upon notice by the Loan Party or Subsidiary to the Auction Agent) (the “ Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date ”). Each Lender’s Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer shall (x) be irrevocable, (y) remain outstanding until the Acceptance Date, and (z) specify both one or more (but no more than three) discounts to par (the “ Offered Discount ”) at which such Lender is willing to allow prepayment of its then outstanding Loan and the maximum aggregate principal amount and tranches of such Loans (the “ Offered Amount ”) such Lender is willing to have prepaid at the Offered Discount. Any Lender whose Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer is not received by the Auction Agent by the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date shall be deemed to have declined prepayment of any of its Loans at any discount.

(2) The Auction Agent shall promptly provide the relevant Loan Party or Subsidiary with a copy of all Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers received on or before the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date. Such Loan Party or such Subsidiary shall review all such Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers and select the largest of the Offered Discounts specified by the relevant responding Lenders in the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers that is acceptable to the Loan Party or Subsidiary in its sole discretion (the “ Acceptable Discount ”), if any. If the Loan Party or Subsidiary elects, in its sole discretion, to accept any Offered Discount as the Acceptable Discount, in no event later than by the third Business Day after the date of receipt by such Loan Party or such Subsidiary from the Auction Agent of a copy of all Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers pursuant to the first sentence of this subsection (2) (the “ Acceptance Date ”), the Loan Party or Subsidiary may submit an

 

Credit Agreement

66


Acceptance and Prepayment Notice to the Auction Agent setting forth the Acceptable Discount. If the Auction Agent shall fail to receive an Acceptance and Prepayment Notice from the Loan Party or Subsidiary by the Acceptance Date, such Loan Party or such Subsidiary shall be deemed to have rejected all Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers.

(3) Based upon the Acceptable Discount and the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers received by Auction Agent by the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date, within three (3) Business Days after receipt of an Acceptance and Prepayment Notice (the “ Discounted Prepayment Determination Date ”), the Auction Agent will determine (in consultation with such Loan Party or such Subsidiary and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its sole reasonable discretion) the aggregate principal amount and the tranches of Loans (the “ Acceptable Prepayment Amount ”) to be prepaid by the relevant Loan Party or Subsidiary at the Acceptable Discount in accordance with this Section 2.05(a)(iv)(D) . If the Loan Party or Subsidiary elects to accept any Acceptable Discount, then the Loan Party or Subsidiary agrees to accept all Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers received by Auction Agent by the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date, in the order from largest Offered Discount to smallest Offered Discount, up to and including the Acceptable Discount. Each Lender that has submitted a Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer with an Offered Discount that is greater than or equal to the Acceptable Discount shall be deemed to have irrevocably consented to prepayment of Loans equal to its Offered Amount (subject to any required pro-rata reduction pursuant to the following sentence) at the Acceptable Discount (each such Lender, a “ Qualifying Lender ”). The Loan Party or Subsidiary may prepay outstanding Loans pursuant to this subsection (D) to each Qualifying Lender in the aggregate principal amount and of the tranches specified in such Lender’s Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer at the Acceptable Discount; provided that if the aggregate Offered Amount by all Qualifying Lenders whose Offered Discount is greater than or equal to the Acceptable Discount exceeds the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amount, prepayment of the principal amount of the Loans for those Qualifying Lenders whose Offered Discount is greater than or equal to the Acceptable Discount (the “ Identified Qualifying Lenders ”) shall be made pro rata among the Identified Qualifying Lenders in accordance with the Offered Amount of each such Identified Qualifying Lender and the Auction Agent (in consultation with such Loan Party or such Subsidiary and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its sole reasonable discretion) will calculate such proration (the “ Solicited Discount Proration ”). On or prior to the Discounted Prepayment Determination Date, the Auction Agent shall promptly notify (I) the relevant Loan Party or Subsidiary of the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date and Acceptable Prepayment Amount comprising the Discounted Loan Prepayment and the tranches to be prepaid, (II) each Lender of the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date, the Acceptable Discount, and the Acceptable Prepayment Amount of all Loans and the tranches to be prepaid at the Applicable Discount on such date, (III) each Qualifying Lender of the aggregate principal amount and the tranches of such Lender to be prepaid at the Acceptable Discount on such date, and (IV) if applicable, each Identified Qualifying Lender of the Solicited Discount Proration. Each determination by the Auction Agent of the amounts stated in the foregoing notices to such Loan Party or such Subsidiary and Lenders shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error. The payment amount specified in such notice to such Loan Party or such Subsidiary shall be due and payable by such Loan Party or such Subsidiary on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date in accordance with subsection (F) below (subject to subsection (J) below).

 

Credit Agreement

67


(E) In connection with any Discounted Loan Prepayment, the Loan Parties and the Lenders acknowledge and agree that the Auction Agent may require as a condition to any Discounted Loan Prepayment, the payment of customary and documented fees and out-of-pocket expenses from a Loan Party or Subsidiary in connection therewith.

(F) If any Loan is prepaid in accordance with paragraphs (B) through (D) above, a Loan Party or Subsidiary shall prepay such Loans on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date without premium or penalty. The relevant Loan Party or Subsidiary shall make such prepayment to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Discount Prepayment Accepting Lenders, Participating Lenders, or Qualifying Lenders, as applicable, at the Administrative Agent’s Office in immediately available funds not later than 1:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date and all such prepayments shall be applied to the remaining principal installments of the relevant tranche of Loans on a pro-rata basis across such installments. The Loans so prepaid shall be accompanied by all accrued and unpaid interest on the par principal amount so prepaid up to, but not including, the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date. Each prepayment of the outstanding Loans pursuant to this Section 2.05(a)(iv) shall be paid to the Discount Prepayment Accepting Lenders, Participating Lenders, or Qualifying Lenders, as applicable, and shall be applied to the relevant Loans of such Lenders in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Share. The aggregate principal amount of the tranches and installments of the relevant Loans outstanding shall be deemed reduced by the full par value of the aggregate principal amount of the tranches of Loans prepaid on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date in any Discounted Loan Prepayment. In connection with each prepayment pursuant to this Section 2.05(a)(iv) , each relevant Loan Party shall represent and warrant as of the date of any such prepayment pursuant to this Section 2.05(a)(iv) that such Loan Party has no material non-public information (“ MNPI ”) with respect to any Loan Party that both (x) has not been disclosed to the applicable Lenders (other than because any such Lender does not wish to receive MNPI with respect to any Loan Party) prior to such date and (y) could reasonably be expected to have a material effect upon, or otherwise be material to, a Lender’s decision to accept any prepayment pursuant to this Section 2.05(a)(iv) .

(G) To the extent not expressly provided for herein, each Discounted Loan Prepayment (which for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include any open market purchases of Loans or Commitments otherwise permitted by the terms hereof) shall be consummated pursuant to procedures consistent with the provisions in this Section 2.05(a)(iv) or as otherwise established by the Auction Agent acting in its reasonable discretion and as reasonably agreed by the Borrowers.

(H) Notwithstanding anything in any Loan Document to the contrary, for purposes of this Section 2.05(a)(iv) , to the extent the Administrative Agent is the Auction Agent, each notice or other communication required to be delivered or otherwise provided to the Auction Agent (or its delegate) shall be deemed to have been given upon Auction Agent’s (or its delegate’s) actual receipt during normal business hours of such notice or communication; provided that any notice or communication actually received outside of normal business hours shall be deemed to have been given as of the opening of business on the next Business Day.

(I) Each of the Loan Parties and the Lenders acknowledge and agree that the Auction Agent may perform any and all of its duties under this Section 2.05(a)(iv) by itself or through any Affiliate of the Auction Agent and expressly consents to any such delegation of duties by the Auction Agent to such Affiliate and the performance of such delegated duties by such Affiliate. The exculpatory provisions pursuant to this Agreement shall apply to each Affiliate of the Auction Agent and its respective activities in connection with any Discounted

 

Credit Agreement

68


Loan Prepayment provided for in this Section 2.05(a)(iv) as well as activities of the Auction Agent.

(J) Each Loan Party and any of its Subsidiaries shall have the right, by written notice to the Auction Agent, to revoke or modify its offer to make a Discounted Loan Prepayment and rescind the applicable Specified Discount Prepayment Notice, Discount Range Prepayment Notice or Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice therefor at its discretion at any time on or prior to the applicable Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date.

(K) Any failure by such Loan Party or such Subsidiary to make any prepayment to a Lender, pursuant to this Section 2.05(a)(iv) shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default under Section 8.01 or otherwise.

(L) To the extent the Auction Agent is required to deliver notices or communicate such other information to the Lenders pursuant to this Section 2.05(a)(iv) , the Auction Agent will work with the Administrative Agent (and the Administrative Agent will cooperate with the Auction Agent) in order to procure the delivery of such notices and/or the communication of such information to the applicable Lenders.

(M) Nothing in this Section 2.05(a)(iv) shall require the Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries to undertake any Discounted Loan Prepayment.

(v) At the time of the effectiveness of any Repricing Transaction that is consummated prior to the first anniversary of the Closing Date, the Borrowers agree to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of each Lender with outstanding Term Loans which are repaid or prepaid pursuant to such Repricing Transaction, a fee in an amount equal to 1.00% of the aggregate principal amount of all Term Loans prepaid (or converted) in connection with such Repricing Transaction. Such fees shall be due and payable upon the date of the effectiveness of such Repricing Transaction.

(b) Mandatory . (i) Within five (5) Business Days after financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) and the related Compliance Certificate has been delivered pursuant to Section 6.02(b) , the BV Borrower shall cause to be prepaid an aggregate principal amount of Term Loans, in accordance with Section 2.05(b)(v) , in an amount equal to (A) the Prepayment Percentage of Excess Cash Flow, if any, for the fiscal year covered by such financial statements (commencing with the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012) minus (B) the sum of (1) the amount of any voluntary prepayments of Term Loans made pursuant to Section 2.05(a) during such fiscal year and (2) solely to the extent the amount of the Revolving Credit Commitments are reduced pursuant to Section 2.06 in connection therewith (and solely to the extent of the amount of such reduction), the amount of any voluntary prepayments of Revolving Credit Loans made pursuant to Section 2.05(a) during such fiscal year.

(A) If (x) the BV Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary Disposes of any property or assets (other than any Disposition of any property or assets permitted by Section 7.05(a) , (b) , (c) , (d) , (e) , (f)  (except to the extent clause (iii)  of the proviso thereto is applicable to such Disposition), (g) , (h) , (i) , (j) , (m), (n), (p), (q), (r), (s), (t) or (u) ) or (y) any Casualty Event occurs, which results in the realization or receipt by the BV Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary of Net Cash Proceeds, the BV Borrower shall cause to be prepaid on or prior to the date which is ten (10) Business Days after the date of the realization or receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds an aggregate principal amount of Term Loans, in accordance with Section 2.05(b)(v) , in an amount equal to 100% of all Net Cash Proceeds received; provided that no such prepayment shall be required pursuant

 

Credit Agreement

69


to this Section 2.05(b)(i)(A) if, on or prior to such date, the BV Borrower shall have given written notice to the Administrative Agent of its intention to reinvest or cause to be reinvested all or a portion of such Net Cash Proceeds in accordance with Section 2.05(b)(i)(B) (which, except in the case of a Casualty Event, election may only be made if no Event of Default has occurred and is then continuing);

(B) With respect to any Net Cash Proceeds realized or received with respect to any Disposition (other than any Disposition specifically excluded from the application of Section 2.05(b)(i)(A )) or any Casualty Event, at the option of the BV Borrower, and with respect to a Disposition, so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the BV Borrower may reinvest or cause to be reinvested all or any portion of such Net Cash Proceeds in assets useful for its business within (x) three hundred and sixty-five (365) days of the receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds or (y) if the BV Borrower or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary enters into a contract to reinvest such Net Cash Proceeds within three hundred and sixty-five (365) days of the receipt thereof, within one hundred and eighty (180) days of the date of such contract; provided that if any Net Cash Proceeds are not so reinvested within the applicable time periods set forth above in this Section 2.05(b)(i)(B) or are no longer intended to be so reinvested at any time after delivery of a notice of reinvestment election, an amount equal to any such Net Cash Proceeds shall be promptly applied to the prepayment of the Term Loans as set forth in this Section 2.05 .

(ii) If for any reason the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Revolving Credit Loans, the L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans at any time exceeds the aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments then in effect, the Borrowers shall promptly prepay Revolving Credit Loans or Swing Line Loans and/or Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations in an aggregate amount equal to such excess; provided that the Borrowers shall not be required to Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations pursuant to this Section 2.05(b)(ii) unless after the prepayment in full of the Revolving Credit Loans and Swing Line Loans such aggregate Outstanding Amount exceeds such aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments then in effect.

(iii) If the BV Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary incurs or issues any Indebtedness not expressly permitted to be incurred or issued pursuant to Section 7.03 , the BV Borrower shall cause to be prepaid an aggregate amount of Term Loans, in accordance with Section 2.05(b)(v) , in an amount equal to the Prepayment Percentage of all Net Cash Proceeds received therefrom on or prior to the date which is five (5) Business Days after the receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds.]

(iv) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 2.05(b) , (A) to the extent that (and for so long as) any of Excess Cash Flow or all the Net Cash Proceeds of any asset sale or other Disposition or any Casualty Event by a Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Borrower) giving rise to mandatory prepayment pursuant to Section 2.05(b)(i)(A) or Section 2.05(b)(i)(B) (each such Disposition and Casualty Event, a “ Specified Asset Sale ”) are prohibited or delayed by applicable local Law from being repatriated to the jurisdiction of organization of the Borrower that is the most direct parent company of such Restricted Subsidiary, the portion of such Excess Cash Flow or Net Cash Proceeds so affected will not be required to be applied to repay Term Loans at the times provided in this Section 2.05(b) but may be retained by the applicable Restricted Subsidiary so long as the applicable local Law will not permit such repatriation to the relevant Borrower (the BV Borrower hereby agreeing

 

Credit Agreement

70


to cause the applicable Restricted Subsidiary to promptly take all actions reasonably required by applicable local Law to permit such repatriation), and once such repatriation of any of such affected Excess Cash Flow or Net Cash Proceeds is permitted under the applicable local Law, such repatriation will be promptly effected and such repatriated Excess Cash Flow or Net Cash Proceeds will be promptly (and in any event not later than five (5) Business Days after such repatriation) applied (net of additional taxes payable or reserved against as a result thereof) to the repayment of the Term Loans pursuant to this Section 2.05(b) and (B) to the extent that the BV Borrower has determined in good faith that repatriation of any of or all the Excess Cash Flow or Net Cash Proceeds of any Specified Asset Sale to the jurisdiction of organization of the Borrower that is the most direct parent company of the relevant Restricted Subsidiary would have a material adverse tax consequence with respect to such Excess Cash Flow or Net Cash Proceeds, the Excess Cash Flow or Net Cash Proceeds so affected may be retained by the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, provided that, in the case of this clause (iv) , on or before the date on which any Excess Cash Flow or Net Cash Proceeds so retained would otherwise have been required to be applied to prepayments pursuant to Section 2.05(b)(i) , the BV Borrower causes to be applied an amount equal to such Excess Cash Flow or Net Cash Proceeds to such prepayments as if such Excess Cash Flow or Net Cash Proceeds had been received by the relevant Borrower rather than such Restricted Subsidiary, less the amount of additional taxes that would have been payable or reserved against if such Excess Cash Flow or Net Cash Proceeds had been so repatriated (or, if less, the Excess Cash Flow or Net Cash Proceeds that would be calculated if received by such Restricted Subsidiary) in satisfaction of such prepayment requirement.

(v) Any prepayment of any Term Loans pursuant to this Section 2.05(b) shall be applied to repay Term Loans of each then outstanding Class; provided, that any prepayment of any Term Loans pursuant to this Section 2.05(b) shall be applied to repay Term Loans of each Class with an earlier maturity date prior to being applied to repay any Term Loans of any other Class with a later maturity date (and if two or more Classes of Term Loans have the same maturity date, shall be applied on a pro rata basis to such Classes). Any prepayment of any Class of Term Loans pursuant to this Section 2.05(b) shall be applied, first, in direct order of maturities, to any principal repayment installments of such Term Loans that are due within twenty-four (24) months after the date of such prepayment and second, on a pro-rata basis, to the other principal repayment installments of such Term Loans of such Class; and each such prepayment shall be paid to the Lenders in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Share (prior to giving effect to any rejection by any Term Lender of any such prepayment pursuant to clause (vi)  below), subject to clause (vi)  of this Section 2.05(b) .

(vi) The BV Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent in writing of any mandatory prepayment of Term Loans required to be made pursuant to clauses (i), (ii) and (iii)  of this Section 2.05(b) at least three (3) Business Days prior to the date of such prepayment. Each such notice shall specify the date of such prepayment and provide a reasonably detailed calculation of the amount of such prepayment. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Appropriate Lender of the contents of any such prepayment notice and of such Appropriate Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the prepayment. Any Term Lender (a “ Declining Lender ”, and any Term Lender which is not a Declining Lender, an “ Accepting Lender ”) may elect, by delivering not less than two (2) Business Days prior to the proposed prepayment date, a written notice that any mandatory prepayment otherwise required to be made with respect to the Term Loans held by such Term Lender pursuant to clauses (i) , (ii) and (iii)  of this Section 2.05(b) not be made, in which event the portion of such prepayment which would otherwise have been applied to the Term Loans of the Declining Lenders shall instead be retained by the relevant Borrower.

 

Credit Agreement

71


(vii) Funding Losses, Etc . All prepayments under this Section 2.05 shall be made together with, in the case of any such prepayment of a Eurodollar Rate Loan or a EURIBOR Loan on a date other than the last day of an Interest Period therefor, any amounts owing in respect of such Eurodollar Rate Loan or EURIBOR Loan, as the case may be, pursuant to Section 3.05 . Notwithstanding any of the other provisions of Section 2.05(b) , so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, if any prepayment of Eurodollar Rate Loans or EURIBOR Loans is required to be made under this Section 2.05(b) , other than on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, a Borrower may, in its sole discretion, deposit the amount of any such prepayment otherwise required to be made thereunder into a Cash Collateral Account until the last day of such Interest Period, at which time the Administrative Agent shall be authorized (without any further action by or notice to or from such Borrower or any other Loan Party) to apply such amount to the prepayment of such Loans in accordance with this Section 2.05(b) . Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Administrative Agent shall also be authorized (without any further action by or notice to or from a Borrower or any other Loan Party) to apply such amount to the prepayment of the outstanding Loans in accordance with this Section 2.05(b) .

SECTION 2.06. Termination or Reduction of Revolving Credit Commitments . (a) Optional . The BV Borrower may, upon written notice to the Administrative Agent, terminate all or any portion of the unused Commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility; provided that (i) any such notice shall be received by the Administrative Agent three (3) Business Days prior to the date of termination or reduction, (ii) any such partial reduction shall be in an aggregate amount (A) of $1,000,000 or any whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof or (B) equal to the entire remaining amount of the Revolving Credit Commitments and (iii) if, after giving effect to any reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitments, (1) the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swing Line Sublimit, as the case may be, exceeds the amount of the Revolving Credit Commitments, such sublimit shall be automatically reduced by the amount of such excess and (2) the Euro Sublimit exceeds the Euro Revolving Credit Facility, such sublimit shall be automatically reduced by the amount of such excess. The amount of any such Revolving Credit Commitment reduction shall not be applied to the Letter of Credit Sublimit, the Swing Line Sublimit or the Euro Sublimit unless otherwise specified by the BV Borrower. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the BV Borrower may rescind or postpone any notice of termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments if such termination would have resulted from a refinancing of all or a portion of the Facilities, which refinancing shall not be consummated or otherwise shall be delayed.

(b) Mandatory . (i) The Term Commitment of each Term Lender shall be automatically and permanently reduced to $0 at 5:00 p.m. on the Closing Date upon the funding of the Term Loans.

(ii) The Revolving Credit Commitment of each Revolving Credit Lender shall be automatically and permanently reduced to $0 on the Maturity Date for the Revolving Credit Facility.

(c) Application of Commitment Reductions; Payment of Fees . The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Appropriate Lenders of any termination or reduction of unused portions of the Letter of Credit Sublimit, the Swing Line Sublimit or the Euro Sublimit or the unused Commitments of any Class under this Section 2.06 as the relevant Borrower may direct in its sole discretion. Upon any reduction of unused Commitments of any Class, the Commitment of each Lender of such Class shall be reduced by such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the amount by which such Commitments are reduced (other than the termination of the Commitment of any Lender as provided in Section 3.07 ). All commitment fees accrued until the effective date of any termination of the Aggregate Commitments of any Class shall be paid to the Appropriate Lenders on the effective date of such termination.

 

Credit Agreement

72


SECTION 2.07. Repayment of Loans . (a) Term Loans . The Borrowers shall repay to the Administrative Agent for the ratable account of the Term Lenders the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Term Loans in quarterly installments payable on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, commencing on September 30, 2011, in an amount equal to (x) on each such date occurring on or prior to the seventh anniversary of the Closing Date, 0.25% of the sum of the original principal amount of the Term Loan made on the Closing Date and (y) the balance on the Maturity Date of the Term Loan Facility, which amount, in each case, shall be reduced as a result of the application of prepayments in accordance with the order of priority set forth in Section 2.05 ; provided , however , that the final principal installment shall be repaid on the Maturity Date for the Term Loan Facility and in any event shall be in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loans outstanding on such date.

(b) Revolving Credit Loans . Each Borrower shall repay to the Administrative Agent for the ratable account of the applicable Revolving Credit Lenders on the Maturity Date for the Revolving Credit Facility the aggregate principal amount of all of its Revolving Credit Loans outstanding on such date.

(c) Swing Line Loans . Each Borrower shall repay the aggregate principal amount of all of its Swing Line Loans on the Maturity Date for the Revolving Credit Facility.

(d) Additional Term Loans and Extended Term Loans . The relevant Borrower shall repay the aggregate amount of any Additional Term Loans or Extended Term Loans to the Administrative Agent in accordance with a repayment schedule to be agreed by such Borrower and the relevant Additional Term Lenders or relevant Extended Term Lenders, as applicable.

(e) Additional Revolving Credit Loans and Extended Revolving Credit Loans . The relevant Borrower shall repay the aggregate amount of any Additional Revolving Credit Loans or Extended Revolving Credit Loans to the Administrative Agent on the maturity date to be agreed by such Borrower and the relevant Additional Revolving Credit Lenders or relevant Extended Revolving Credit Lenders, as applicable.

SECTION 2.08. Interest . (a) (i) Each Eurodollar Rate Loan or EURIBOR Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each Interest Period at a rate per annum equal to the Eurodollar Rate or EURIBOR Loan for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Rate; (ii) each Base Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate; and (iii) each Swing Line Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate for Revolving Credit Loans.

(b) While any Event of Default set forth in Section 8.01(a) exists, each Borrower shall pay interest on the principal amount of all of its outstanding Obligations hereunder at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate (plus Mandatory Costs, if any) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws. Accrued and unpaid interest on past due amounts (including interest on past due interest) shall be due and payable upon demand.

(c) Interest on each Loan shall be due and payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date applicable thereto and at such other times as may be specified herein. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof before and after judgment, and before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.

 

Credit Agreement

73


SECTION 2.09. Fees . In addition to certain fees described in Section 2.03(i) and Section 2.03(j) :

(a) Revolving Credit Commitment Fee . The Borrowers shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Credit Lender a commitment fee (each, a “ Revolving Credit Commitment Fee ” and, collectively, the “ Revolving Credit Commitment Fees ”) equal to the Applicable Rate times such Revolving Credit Lender’s Dollar Revolving Credit Commitment or, if greater, the Dollar Amount of such Revolving Credit Lender’s Euro Revolving Credit Commitment; provided that any Revolving Credit Commitment Fee accrued with respect to the Revolving Credit Commitment of a Defaulting Lender during the period prior to the time such Lender became a Defaulting Lender and unpaid at such time shall not be payable by the Borrowers so long as such Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender except to the extent that such Revolving Credit Commitment Fee shall otherwise have been due and payable by the Borrowers prior to such time; and provided further that no Revolving Credit Commitment Fee shall accrue on the Revolving Credit Commitment of a Defaulting Lender so long as such Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender. The Revolving Credit Commitment Fees shall accrue at all times from the date hereof until the Maturity Date for the Revolving Credit Facility, including at any time during which one or more of the conditions in Article 4 is not met, and shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the Closing Date, and on the Maturity Date for the Revolving Credit Facility. The Revolving Credit Commitment Fees shall be calculated quarterly in arrears, and if there is any change in the Applicable Rate during any quarter, the actual daily amount shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Rate separately for each period during such quarter that such Applicable Rate was in effect.

(b) Other Fees . The Borrowers shall pay or cause to be paid to the Agents such fees as shall have been separately agreed upon in writing in the amounts and at the times so specified. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever (except as expressly agreed between the Borrowers and the applicable Agent).

(c) Upfront Fees . The Borrowers shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Credit Lender in accordance with its Pro Rata Share, an upfront fee in respect of the Revolving Credit Commitments equal to 0.50% of the aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit Commitments provided to the Borrowers under this Agreement on the Closing Date, which shall be payable in full on the Closing Date.

SECTION 2.10. Computation of Interest and Fees . All computations of interest for Base Rate Loans when the Base Rate is determined by reference to the “prime rate” as published in the Wall Street Journal shall be made on the basis of a year of three hundred and sixty-five (365) or three hundred and sixty-six (366) days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All other computations of fees and interest shall be made on the basis of a three hundred and sixty (360) day year and actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis of a three hundred and sixty-five (365) day year). Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid; provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall, subject to Section 2.12(a) , bear interest for one (1) day. Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an interest rate or fee hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

 

Credit Agreement

74


SECTION 2.11. Evidence of Indebtedness . (a) The Credit Extensions made by each Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender and evidenced by one or more entries in the Register maintained by the Administrative Agent, acting solely for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 5f.103-1(c), as agent for the Borrowers, in each case in the ordinary course of business. The accounts or records maintained by the Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be prima facie evidence absent manifest error of the amount of the Credit Extensions made by the Lenders to the Borrowers and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrowers hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error. Upon the request of any Lender made through the Administrative Agent, the relevant Borrowers shall execute and deliver to such Lender (through the Administrative Agent) a Note payable to such Lender, which shall evidence such Lender’s Loans in addition to such accounts or records. Each Lender may attach schedules to its Note and endorse thereon the date, Type (if applicable), amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto. Each Borrower and each Lender agrees from time to time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default under Section 8.01(f) or Section 8.01(g)(i) to execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent all such Notes or other promissory notes and other instruments and documents as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request to evidence and confirm the respective interests and obligations of the Lenders after giving effect to any exchange of Lenders’ interests pursuant to arrangements relating thereto among the Lenders, and each Lender agrees to surrender any Notes or other promissory notes originally received by it in connection with its Loans hereunder to the Administrative Agent against delivery of any Notes or other promissory notes so executed and delivered.

(b) In addition to the accounts and records referred to in Section 2.11(a) , each Lender and the Administrative Agent shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice accounts or records and, in the case of the Administrative Agent, entries in the Register, evidencing the purchases and sales by such Lender of participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by the Administrative Agent and the accounts and records of any Lender in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error.

(c) Entries made in good faith by the Administrative Agent in the Register pursuant to Section 2.11(a) and Section 2.11(b) , and by each Lender in its account or accounts pursuant to Section 2.11(a) and Section 2.11(b) , shall be prima facie evidence of the amount of principal and interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrowers to, in the case of the Register, each Lender and, in the case of such account or accounts, such Lender, under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, absent manifest error; provided that the failure of the Administrative Agent or such Lender to make an entry, or any finding that an entry is incorrect, in the Register or such account or accounts shall not limit or otherwise affect the obligations of the Borrowers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

SECTION 2.12. Payments Generally . (a) All payments to be made by the Borrowers shall be made without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense (other than payment in full), recoupment or setoff. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein and except with respect to principal of and interest on Loans denominated in Euros, all payments by the Borrowers hereunder shall be made to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at the Administrative Agent’s Office in Dollars and in immediately available funds not later than 2:00 p.m. on the date specified herein. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by the Borrowers

 

Credit Agreement

75


hereunder with respect to principal and interest on Loans denominated in Euros shall be made to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at the applicable Administrative Agent’s Office in such Euros and in same day funds not later than 2:00 p.m. (London time) on the dates specified herein. If, for any reason, any Borrower is prohibited by any Law from making any required payment hereunder in Euros, such Borrower shall make such payment in Dollars in the Dollar Amount of the Euro payment amount. The Administrative Agent will promptly distribute to each Lender its Pro Rata Share (or other applicable share as provided herein) of such payment in like funds as received by wire transfer to such Lender’s Lending Office. All payments received by the Administrative Agent after 4:00 p.m. shall be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day in the Administrative Agent’s sole discretion and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue to the extent applicable.

(b) If any payment to be made by any Borrower shall come due on a day other than a Business Day in relation to such Borrower, payment shall be made on the next following Business Day, and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the case may be; provided that, if such extension would cause payment of interest on or principal of Eurodollar Rate Loans or EURIBOR Loans, as the case may be, to be made in the next succeeding calendar month, such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day.

(c) Unless any Borrower or any Lender has notified the Administrative Agent, prior to the date any payment is required to be made by it to the Administrative Agent hereunder, that such Borrower or such Lender, as the case may be, will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Borrower or such Lender, as the case may be, has timely made such payment and may (but shall not be so required to), in reliance thereon, make available a corresponding amount to the Person entitled thereto. If and to the extent that such payment was not in fact made to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds, then:

(i) if any Borrower failed to make such payment, each Lender shall forthwith on demand repay to the Administrative Agent the portion of such assumed payment that was made available to such Lender in immediately available funds, together with interest thereon in respect of each day from and including the date such amount was made available by the Administrative Agent to such Lender to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds at the applicable Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect; and

(ii) if any Lender failed to make such payment, such Lender shall forthwith on demand pay to the Administrative Agent the amount thereof in immediately available funds, together with interest thereon for the period from the date such amount was made available by the Administrative Agent to the relevant Borrower to the date such amount is recovered by the Administrative Agent (the “ Compensation Period ”) at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect. When such Lender makes payment to the Administrative Agent (together with all accrued interest thereon), then such payment amount (excluding the amount of any interest which may have accrued and been paid in respect of such late payment) shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in the applicable Borrowing. If such Lender does not pay such amount forthwith upon the Administrative Agent’s demand therefor, the Administrative Agent may make a demand therefor upon the relevant Borrower, and the relevant Borrower shall pay such amount to the Administrative Agent, together with interest thereon for the Compensation Period at a rate per annum equal to the rate of interest applicable to the applicable Borrowing. Nothing herein shall be deemed to relieve any Lender from its obligation to fulfill its Commitment or to prejudice any rights

 

Credit Agreement

76


which the Administrative Agent or any Borrower may have against any Lender as a result of any default by such Lender hereunder.

A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender or any relevant Borrower with respect to any amount owing under this Section 2.12(c) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

(d) If any Lender makes available to the Administrative Agent funds for any Loan to be made by such Lender as provided in the foregoing provisions of this Article 2 , and such funds are not made available to the relevant Borrower by the Administrative Agent because the conditions to the applicable Credit Extension set forth in Article 4 are not satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof, the Administrative Agent shall return such funds (in like funds as received from such Lender) to such Lender, without interest.

(e) The obligations of the Lenders hereunder to make Loans and to fund participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans are several and not joint. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan or to fund any such participation on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Loan or purchase its participation.

(f) Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner.

(g) Whenever any payment received by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents is insufficient to pay in full all amounts due and payable to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders under or in respect of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents on any date, such payment shall be distributed by the Administrative Agent and applied by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in the order of priority set forth in Section 8.03 . If the Administrative Agent receives funds for application to the Obligations of the Loan Parties under or in respect of the Loan Documents under circumstances for which the Loan Documents do not specify the manner in which such funds are to be applied, the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, elect to distribute such funds to each of the Lenders in accordance with such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the sum of (i) the Outstanding Amount of all Loans outstanding at such time and (ii) the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations outstanding at such time, in repayment or prepayment of such of the outstanding Loans or other Obligations then owing to such Lender.

SECTION 2.13. Sharing of Payments . If, other than as expressly provided elsewhere herein (including, without limitation, any prepayments made in connection with Section 2.05(a)(iv) , Section 2.17 , Section 2.18 or Section 10.07 ), any Lender shall obtain on account of the Loans made by it, or the participations in L/C Obligations or in Swing Line Loans held by it, any payment (whether voluntary, involuntary, through the exercise of any right of setoff, or otherwise) in excess of its ratable share (or other share contemplated hereunder) thereof, such Lender shall immediately (a) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase from the other Lenders such participations in the Loans made by them and/or such subparticipations in the participations in L/C Obligations or Swing Line Loans held by them, as the case may be, as shall be necessary to cause such purchasing Lender to share the excess payment in respect of such Loans or such participations, as the case may be, pro rata with each of them; provided that if all or any portion of such excess payment is thereafter recovered from the purchasing Lender under any of the circumstances described in Section 10.06 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the purchasing Lender in its discretion), such purchase shall to that extent be rescinded and each other Lender shall repay to the

 

Credit Agreement

77


purchasing Lender the purchase price paid therefor, together with an amount equal to such paying Lender’s ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of such paying Lender’s required repayment to (ii) the total amount so recovered from the purchasing Lender) of any interest or other amount paid or payable by the purchasing Lender in respect of the total amount so recovered, without further interest thereon. Each Borrower agrees that any Lender so purchasing a participation from another Lender may, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, exercise all its rights of payment (including the right of setoff, but subject to Section 10.09 ) with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were the direct creditor of such Borrower in the amount of such participation. The Administrative Agent will keep records (which shall be conclusive and binding in the absence of manifest error) of participations purchased under this Section 2.13 and will in each case notify the Lenders following any such purchases or repayments. Each Lender that purchases a participation pursuant to this Section 2.13 shall from and after such purchase have the right to give all notices, requests, demands, directions and other communications under this Agreement with respect to the portion of the Obligations purchased to the same extent as though the purchasing Lender were the original owner of the Obligations purchased.

SECTION 2.14. Increase in Commitments . (a) Upon notice to the Administrative Agent, at any time after the Closing Date, each Borrower may request Additional Term Commitments or Additional Revolving Credit Commitments; provided that (i) after giving effect to any such addition, the aggregate amount of Additional Term Commitments and Additional Revolving Credit Commitments that have been added pursuant to this Section 2.14 shall not exceed (A) $250,000,000 (the “ General Incremental Availability ”), plus (B) $750,000,000 (the “ Ratio Incremental Availability ”) to the extent that in the case of this clause (B)  only the Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio as of the last day of the most recently ended Test Period for which financial statements are internally available, after giving Pro Forma Effect to any such Additional Term Commitments or Additional Revolving Credit Commitments, as applicable, shall not exceed 4.0:1.0 (it being agreed that (I) the Borrowers may designate any such Additional Term Commitments and Additional Revolving Credit Commitments as being incurred pursuant to the General Incremental Availability or Ratio Incremental Availability in this sole discretion, and (II) so long as the all-in yield did not require a change to the interest rate margins pursuant to clause (vi) below when incurred, the Borrowers may re-designate any such Additional Term Commitments and Additional Revolving Credit Commitments (or corresponding Additional Term Loans or Additional Revolving Credit Loans, as applicable) originally designated to be incurred under the General Incremental Availability to be incurred under Ratio Incremental Availability if, at the time of such re-designation, the Borrowers would be permitted to incur under this Section 2.14 the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness being so re-designated), (ii) any such addition shall be in an aggregate amount of $50,000,000 or any whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof ( provided that such amount may be less than $50,000,000 if such amount represents all remaining availability under the aggregate limit in respect of Additional Term Commitments and Additional Revolving Credit Commitments set forth in clause (i)  to this proviso), (iii) (A) the final maturity date of any Additional Term Loans shall be no earlier than the Maturity Date for the Term Loans and (B) the final maturity date of any Additional Revolving Credit Loans shall be no earlier than the Maturity Date for the Revolving Credit Loans; provided that the amortization schedule with respect to any Additional Term Loans shall be determined by the BV Borrower and the Additional Term Lenders of such Additional Term Loans, (iv) the weighted average life to maturity of the Additional Term Loans shall be no shorter than the remaining weighted average life to maturity of the Term Loans, (v) the loans made pursuant to any Additional Term Loan Commitments may rank junior in right of security with the Term Loan Facility or may be unsecured, in which case such Additional Term Loan Commitments and corresponding loans will be established as a separate facility than the Facilities hereunder and (vi) solely with respect to any Additional Term Commitments and/or Additional Revolving Credit Commitments that utilize the Ratio Incremental Availability, the all-in yield (whether in the form of interest rate margins, original issue discount, upfront fees or, in the case of any Additional Term

 

Credit Agreement

78


Commitments, a Eurodollar Rate floor greater than 1.00%, with such increased amount being equated to interest margin for purposes of determining any increase to the applicable interest margin under the Term Loan Facility) applicable to any such Additional Term Commitments and/or Additional Revolving Credit Commitments will be determined by the Borrowers and the lenders providing such Additional Term Commitments and/or Additional Revolving Credit Commitments, but will not be more than 0.50% higher than the corresponding all-in yield (after giving effect to interest rate margins (including the Eurodollar Rate floor), original issue discount and upfront fees) for the corresponding existing Term Loan Facility or Revolving Credit Facility, respectively, unless the interest rate margins with respect to such existing Facility are increased by an amount equal to the difference between the all-in yield with respect to such Additional Term Commitments and/or Additional Revolving Credit Commitments and the corresponding all-in yield on such existing Facility minus 0.50%.

(b) If any Additional Term Commitments or Additional Revolving Credit Commitments are added in accordance with this Section 2.14 , the Administrative Agent and the applicable Borrower shall determine the effective date (the “ Additional Commitments Effective Date ”) and the final amount of such addition. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the applicable Borrower and the Lenders (which may include Persons reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the applicable Borrower that were not Lenders prior to the Additional Commitments Effective Date) of the final amount of such addition and the Additional Commitments Effective Date. As a condition precedent to such addition, the BV Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of the BV Borrower dated as of the Additional Commitments Effective Date signed by a Responsible Officer of the BV Borrower certifying that, before and after giving effect to such increase, (i) the representations and warranties contained in Article 5 and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Additional Commitments Effective Date, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall have been true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date, and except that for purposes of this Section 2.14(b) , the representations and warranties contained in Section 5.05(a) and Section 5.05(b) shall be deemed to refer to the most recent financial statements furnished pursuant to subsections (a) and (b), respectively, of Section 6.01 and (ii) no Default or Event of Default exists immediately before or immediately after giving effect to such addition. On each Additional Commitments Effective Date, each applicable Lender, Eligible Assignee or other Person which is providing an Additional Term Commitment or Additional Revolving Credit Commitment (i) shall become a “Term Lender” or “Revolving Credit Lender”, as applicable, for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (ii) in the case of any Additional Term Commitment, shall make an Additional Term Loan to the applicable Borrower in a principal amount equal to such Additional Term Commitment, and such Additional Term Loan shall be a “Term Loan” for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

(c) Any other terms of and documentation entered into in respect of any Additional Term Loans made or any Additional Revolving Credit Commitments provided, in each case pursuant to this Section 2.14 , to the extent not consistent with the Term Loans or the Revolving Credit Commitments, as the case may be, shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. Any Additional Term Loans or Additional Revolving Credit Commitments, as applicable, made or provided pursuant to this Section 2.14 shall be evidenced by one or more entries in the Register maintained by the Administrative Agent in accordance with the provisions set forth in Section 2.11 .

(d) This Section 2.14 shall supersede any provisions in Section 10.01 to the contrary. Notwithstanding any other provision of any Loan Document, the Loan Documents may be amended by the Agent and the Loan Parties, if necessary, to provide for terms applicable to each Additional Term Commitment and/or Additional Revolving Credit Commitment, as the case may be.

 

Credit Agreement

79


SECTION 2.15. [Intentionally omitted] .

SECTION 2.16. Currency Equivalents . (a) The Administrative Agent shall determine the Dollar Amount of each Euro Loan and L/C Obligation in respect of Letters of Credit denominated in Euros (i) in the case of any Term Loan, as of the Closing Date, and (ii) otherwise, (A) as of the first day of each Interest Period applicable thereto and (B) as of the end of each fiscal quarter of the relevant Borrower, and shall promptly notify such Borrower and the Lenders of each Dollar Amount so determined by it. Each such determination shall be based on the Exchange Rate (x) on the date of the related Borrowing Request for purposes of the initial such determination for any Euro Loan and (y) on the fourth Business Day prior to the dates as of which such Dollar Amount is to be determined, for purposes of any subsequent determination.

(b) If after giving effect to any such determination of a Dollar Amount, the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Revolving Credit Loans, the Swing Line Loans and the L/C Obligations exceeds the aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments then in effect by 5% or more, the relevant Borrower shall, within five (5) Business Days of receipt of notice thereof from the Administrative Agent setting forth such calculation in reasonable detail, prepay or cause to be prepaid outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and/or Swing Line Loans (as selected by such Borrower and notified to the Lenders through the Administrative Agent not less than three (3) Business Days prior to the date of prepayment) or take other action (including, in such Borrower’s discretion, cash collateralization of L/C Obligations in amounts from time to time equal to such excess) to the extent necessary to eliminate any such excess.

SECTION 2.17. Refinancing Amendments . At any time after the Closing Date, the Borrowers may obtain, from any Lender or any or any Affiliates thereof or any other lender that is an Eligible Assignee, Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of all or any portion of the Loans or Commitments then outstanding under this Agreement (which for purposes of this Section 2.17 will be deemed to include any then outstanding Other Loans, Other Commitments, Additional Term Loans, Additional Revolving Credit Commitments, Extended Term Loans or Extended Revolving Credit Commitments), in the form of Other Loans or Other Commitments in each case pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment. Any Other Loans may participate on a pro rata basis or on a less than pro rata basis (but not on a greater than pro rata basis) in any voluntary or mandatory prepayments hereunder, as specified in the applicable Refinancing Amendment. The effectiveness of any Refinancing Amendment shall be subject to the satisfaction or waiver on the date thereof of each of the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 and, to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, receipt by the Administrative Agent of customary legal opinions, board resolutions, officers’ certificates and/or reaffirmation agreements generally consistent with those delivered on the Closing Date under Section 4.01 (which in the case of legal opinions, take into account changes to such legal opinions resulting from a change in law, change in fact or change to counsel’s form of opinion reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent). Each Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness incurred under this Section 2.17 shall (i) be in an aggregate principal amount that is not less than $10,000,000 and (ii) (x) with respect to any Other Loans or Other Commitments in the case of any Revolving Credit Loans or Revolving Credit Commitments being refinanced, will have a maturity date that is not prior to the maturity date of the Revolving Credit Loans or Revolving Credit Commitments being refinanced and (y) with respect to any Other Loans or Other Commitments in the case of any Term Loans being refinanced, will have a maturity date that is not prior to the maturity date of, and will have a Weighted Average Life to Maturity that is not shorter than, the Term Loans being refinanced. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender as to the effectiveness of each Refinancing Amendment. Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that, upon the effectiveness of any Refinancing Amendment, this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent (but only to the extent) necessary to reflect the existence and terms of the Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness incurred pursuant thereto (including any amendments necessary to treat the Loans and Commitments subject thereto as Other Loans and/or Other Commitments). Any Refinancing Amendment

 

Credit Agreement

80


may, without the consent of any other Lenders, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers, to effect the provisions of this Section 2.17 . This Section 2.17 shall supersede any provisions in Section 2.05 , Section 2.13 or Section 10.01 to the contrary.

SECTION 2.18. Extensions of Loans and Commitments .

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, pursuant to one or more offers (each, an “ Extension Offer ”) made from time to time by the Borrowers to all Lenders of Term Loans with a like Maturity Date or Revolving Credit Commitments with a like Maturity Date, in each case on a pro rata basis (based on the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the respective Term Loans or Revolving Credit Commitments with a like Maturity Date, as the case may be) and on the same terms to each such Lender, the Borrowers are hereby permitted to consummate from time to time transactions with individual Lenders that accept the terms contained in such Extension Offers to extend the Maturity Date of each such Lender’s Term Loans and/or Revolving Credit Commitments and otherwise modify the terms of such Term Loans and/or Revolving Credit Commitments pursuant to the terms of the relevant Extension Offer (including, without limitation, by increasing the interest rate or fees payable in respect of such Term Loans and/or Revolving Credit Commitments (and related outstandings) and/or modifying the amortization schedule in respect of such Lender’s Term Loans) (each, an “ Extension ”, and each group of Term Loans or Revolving Credit Commitments, as applicable, in each case as so extended, as well as the original Term Loans and the original Revolving Credit Commitments (in each case not so extended), being a “tranche”; any Extended Term Loans (as defined below) shall constitute a separate tranche of Term Loans from the tranche of Term Loans from which they were converted, and any Extended Revolving Credit Commitments (as defined below) shall constitute a separate tranche of Revolving Credit Commitments from the tranche of Revolving Credit Commitments from which they were converted), so long as the following terms are satisfied: (i) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time the offering document in respect of an Extension Offer is delivered to the Lenders and no Event of Default shall exist immediately after the effectiveness of any Extended Loans, (ii) except as to interest rates, fees and final maturity (which shall be determined by the Borrowers and set forth in the relevant Extension Offer), the Revolving Credit Commitment of any Revolving Credit Lender that agrees to an extension with respect to such Revolving Credit Commitment (an “ Extending Revolving Credit Lender ”) extended pursuant to an Extension (an “ Extended Revolving Credit Commitment ”), and the related outstandings, shall be a Revolving Credit Commitment (or related outstandings, as the case may be) with the same terms as the original Revolving Credit Commitments and related outstandings (except for covenants or other provisions contained therein applicable to periods only after the Latest Maturity Date); provided that subject to the provisions of Sections 2.03(l) and 2.04(g) to the extent dealing with Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit which mature or expire after a maturity date when there exist Extended Revolving Credit Commitments with a longer maturity date, all Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit shall be participated in on a pro rata basis by all Lenders with Revolving Credit Commitments in accordance with their pro rata portion of the Revolving Credit Commitments (and except as provided in Sections 2.03(l) and 2.04(g) , without giving effect to changes thereto on an earlier maturity date with respect to Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit theretofore incurred or issued) and all borrowings under Revolving Credit Commitments and repayments thereunder shall be made on a pro rata basis (except for (A) payments of interest and fees at different rates on Extended Revolving Credit Commitments (and related outstandings) and (B) repayments required upon the maturity date of the non-extending Revolving Credit Commitments), (iii) except as to interest rates, fees, amortization, final maturity date, premium, required prepayment dates and participation in prepayments (which shall, subject to immediately succeeding clauses (iv), (v), (vi) and (vii), be determined by the Borrowers and set forth in the relevant Extension Offer), the Term Loans of any Lender that agrees to an extension with respect to such Term Loans (an “ Extending Term Lender ”) extended pursuant to any Extension (“ Extended Term Loans ”) shall have the same terms as the tranche

 

Credit Agreement

81


of Term Loans subject to such Extension Offer (except for covenants or other provisions contained therein applicable only to periods after the then Latest Maturity Date), (iv) the amortization schedule applicable to any Extended Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.07 for the periods prior to the original Loan Maturity Date may not be increased, (v) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of any Extended Term Loans shall be no shorter than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Term Loans extended thereby, (vi) any Extended Term loans may participate on a pro rata basis or on a less than pro rata basis (but not on a greater than pro rata basis) in any voluntary or mandatory repayments or prepayments hereunder, in each case as specified in the applicable Extension Offer, (vii) if the aggregate principal amount of Term Loans (calculated on the face amount thereof) or Revolving Credit Commitments, as the case may be, in respect of which Term Lenders or Revolving Credit Lenders, as the case may be, shall have accepted the relevant Extension Offer shall exceed the maximum aggregate principal amount of Term Loans or Revolving Credit Commitments, as the case may be, offered to be extended by the Borrowers pursuant to such Extension Offer, then the Term Loans or Revolving Credit Loans, as the case may be, of such Term Lenders or Revolving Credit Lenders, as the case may be, shall be extended ratably up to such maximum amount based on the respective principal amounts (but not to exceed actual holdings of record) with respect to which such Term Lenders or Revolving Credit Lenders, as the case may be, have accepted such Extension Offer, (vii) all documentation in respect of such Extension shall be consistent with the foregoing and (ix) any applicable Minimum Extension Condition shall be satisfied unless waived by the Borrowers.

(b) With respect to all Extensions consummated by the Borrowers pursuant to this Section 2.18 , (i) such Extensions shall not constitute voluntary or mandatory payments or prepayments for purposes of Section 2.05 and (ii) each Extension Offer is required to be in a minimum amount of $10,000,000, provided that the Borrowers may at their election specify as a condition (a “ Minimum Extension Condition ”) to consummating any such Extension that a minimum amount (to be determined and specified in the relevant Extension Offer in the Borrowers’ sole discretion and may be waived by the Borrowers) of Term Loans or Revolving Credit Commitments (as applicable) of any or all applicable tranches be tendered. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereby consent to the transactions contemplated by this Section 2.18 (including, for the avoidance of doubt, payment of any interest, fees or premium in respect of any Extended Term Loans and/or Extended Revolving Credit Commitments on such terms as may be set forth in the relevant Extension Offer) and hereby waive the requirements of any provision of this Agreement (including, without limitation, Sections 2.05 , 2.13 and 10.01 ) or any other Loan Document that may otherwise prohibit any such Extension or any other transaction contemplated by this Section 2.18 .

(c) No consent of any Lender or the Administrative Agent shall be required to effectuate any Extension, other than (A) the consent of each Lender agreeing to such Extension with respect to one or more of its Term Loans and/or Revolving Credit Commitments (or a portion thereof) and (B) with respect to any Extension of the Revolving Credit Commitments, the consent of the L/C Issuer which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. All Extended Term Loans, Extended Revolving Credit Commitments and all obligations in respect thereof shall be Obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and, unless (x) the Loans or Commitments being extended by this Section 2.18 are unsecured or (y) otherwise agreed by the Borrowers and the Lender providing such Extension, such Extended Term Loans and Extended Revolving Credit Commitments shall be secured by the Collateral on a pari passu basis with all other applicable secured Obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. The Lenders hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent to enter into amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the Borrowers as may be necessary in order to establish new tranches or sub-tranches in respect of Revolving Credit Commitments or Term Loans so extended and such technical amendments as may be necessary or appropriate in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers in connection with the establishment of such new tranches or sub-tranches, in each case on terms consistent with this Section 2.18 .

 

Credit Agreement

82


(d) In connection with any Extension, the Borrowers shall provide the Administrative Agent at least five (5) Business Days’ (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent) prior written notice thereof.

(e) This Section 2.18 shall supersede any provisions in Section 2.05 , Section 2.13 or Section 10.01 to the contrary.

ARTICLE 3

TAXES, INCREASED COSTS PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

SECTION 3.01. Taxes . (a) Except as provided in this Section 3.01 , any and all payments by any Borrower to or for the account of any Agent or any Lender under any Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any and all present or future taxes, duties, levies, imposts, deductions, assessments, fees, withholdings or similar charges, and all liabilities (including additions to tax, penalties and interest) with respect thereto, excluding , in the case of each Agent and each Lender, (i) taxes imposed on or measured by its net income and franchise (and similar) taxes imposed on it in lieu of net income taxes, by the United States and the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) under the Laws of which such Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, is organized or in which its principal office is located or in the case of any Lender, in which its Lending Office is located, and (ii) any branch profits tax imposed by the United States or any similar tax imposed by any other jurisdiction in which any Borrower is located, and (iii) United States federal withholding taxes to the extent imposed as a result of a failure by such Agent or Lender to satisfy the conditions for avoiding withholding under FATCA, and all liabilities (including additions to tax, penalties and interest) with respect thereto (all such non-excluded taxes, duties, levies, imposts, deductions, assessments, fees, withholdings or similar charges, and liabilities being hereinafter referred to as “ Taxes ”). If any Borrower shall be required by any Laws to deduct any Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable under any Loan Document to any Agent or any Lender, (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 3.01 ), each of such Agent and such Lender receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) such Borrower shall make such deductions, (iii) such Borrower shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant taxation authority or other authority in accordance with applicable Laws, and (iv) within thirty (30) days after the date of such payment, such Borrower shall furnish to such Agent or Lender (as the case may be) the original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing payment thereof to the extent such a receipt is issued therefor, or other written proof of payment thereof that is reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; provided that if any Borrower reasonably believes that such taxes were not correctly or legally asserted by any Agent or Any Lender, such Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, will use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrowers to obtain a refund of such taxes so long as such efforts would not, in the sole determination of the Agent or such Lender (as the case may be) result in any additional costs, expenses or risks or be otherwise disadvantageous to it.

(b) In addition, each Borrower agrees to pay any and all present or future stamp, court or documentary taxes and any other excise, property, intangible or mortgage recording taxes or charges or similar levies which arise from any payment made under any Loan Document or from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document (hereinafter referred to as “ Other Taxes ”).

 

Credit Agreement

83


(c) Each Borrower agrees to indemnify each Agent and each Lender for (i) the full amount of Taxes and Other Taxes (including any Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted by any jurisdiction on amounts payable under this Section 3.01 ) paid by such Agent and such Lender, and (ii) any liability (including additions to tax, penalties, interest and expenses) arising therefrom or with respect thereto, in each case whether or not such Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority; provided that such Agent or Lender, as the case may be, provides such Borrower with a written statement thereof setting forth in reasonable detail the basis and calculation of such amounts; provided further that no Borrower shall be obligated to make any such payment to any Agent or any Lender (as the case may be) in respect of penalties, interest and other liabilities attributable to Taxes or Other Taxes if and to the extent that such penalties, interest and other liabilities are attributable to the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Agent or such Lender (as the case may be). Payment under this Section 3.01(c) shall be made within thirty (30) days after the date such Lender or such Agent makes a written demand therefor. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 3.01 to the contrary, the Borrowers shall be under no obligation to any Agent or any Lender with respect to any additional amounts described in subsection (c) of this Section 3.01 to the extent incurred prior to the one hundred-eightieth (180th) day preceding the date on which the Borrowers received notice by such Agent or such Lender of such additional amounts, unless the requirement resulting in such additional amounts becomes effective during such 180 day period and retroactively applies to a date occurring prior to such 180 day period, in which case the Borrowers shall be responsible for all such additional amounts described in subsection (c) of this Section 3.01 from and after such date of effectiveness.

(d) No Borrower shall be required pursuant to this Section 3.01 to pay any additional amount to, or to indemnify, any Lender or Agent, as the case may be, to the extent that such Lender or such Agent becomes subject to Taxes subsequent to the Closing Date (or, if later, the date such Lender or Agent becomes a party to this Agreement) as a result of a change in the place of organization of such Lender or Agent or a change in the Lending Office of such Lender, except to the extent that any such change is requested or required in writing by any Borrower or such Lender or Agent (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new Lending Office (or assignment) or change in the place of organization of such Lender or Agent, to receive additional amounts with respect to such Taxes pursuant to this Section 3.01 (and provided that nothing in this clause (d)  shall be construed as relieving any Borrower from any obligation under this Agreement to make such payments or indemnification in the event of a change in Lending Office or place of organization that precedes a Change in Law to the extent such Taxes result from a Change in Law).

(e) If a Lender or an Agent is subject to United States federal withholding tax at a rate in excess of zero percent at the time such Lender or such Agent, as the case may be, first becomes a party to this Agreement, United States federal withholding tax at such rate (or at a lesser rate to which such Lender or Agent is entitled under an applicable treaty) at such time shall be considered excluded from Taxes; provided that, if at the date of the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which a Lender becomes a party to this Agreement, the Lender assignor was entitled to payments under clause (a)  of this Section 3.01 in respect of United States withholding tax with respect to interest paid at such date, then, to such extent, the term Taxes shall include (in addition to withholding taxes that may be imposed in the future or other amounts otherwise includable in Taxes) United States federal withholding tax, if any, applicable with respect to the Lender assignee on such date. Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which the BV Borrower is located or any treaty to which the Netherlands is a party, with respect to payments under this Agreement shall deliver to the BV Borrower (with a copy to the appropriate Agent), at the reasonable written request of the BV Borrower, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate; provided that such Lender is legally entitled to complete, execute and deliver such documentation and in such Lender’s judgment such completion, execution or delivery would not materially prejudice the legal position of such Lender;

 

Credit Agreement

84


and provided further , that if any form or document referred to in this Section 3.01 requires the disclosure of information, other than information necessary to compute the tax payable and information required on the date hereof by the relevant taxing authority, that the applicable Lender or Agent considers to be confidential, such Lender or Agent shall give notice thereof to the BV Borrower and shall not be obligated to include in such form or document such confidential information.

(f) If a payment made to a Lender would be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Code Section 1471(b) or 1472(b), as applicable), such Lender shall, to the extent legally entitled to do so, deliver to the US Borrower (with a copy to the appropriate Agent) at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the US Borrower or the applicable Agent, such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Code Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i)) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the US Borrower or the applicable Agent as may be necessary for the US Borrower and such Agent to comply with its obligations under FATCA, to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment.

(g) If any Lender or Agent shall become aware that it is entitled to receive a refund in respect of amounts paid by any Borrower pursuant to this Section 3.01 , which refund in the good faith judgment of such Lender or Agent is allocable to such payment, it shall promptly notify such Borrower of the availability of such refund and shall, within thirty (30) days thereafter, apply for such refund; provided that in the sole judgment of the Lender or Agent, exercised in good faith, applying for such refund would not cause such Person to suffer any material economic, legal or regulatory disadvantage. If any Lender or Agent receives a refund in respect of any Taxes or Other Taxes as to which indemnification or additional amounts have been paid to it by any Borrower pursuant to this Section 3.01 , it shall promptly remit such refund (including any interest included in such refund) to such Borrower (to the extent that it determines that it can do so without prejudice to the retention of the refund), net of all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of the Lender or Agent, as the case may be; provided that such Borrower, upon the request of the Lender or Agent, as the case may be, agrees promptly to return such refund to such party in the event such party is required to repay such refund to the relevant taxing authority. Such Lender or Agent, as the case may be, shall, at such Borrower’s request, provide such Borrower with a copy of any notice of assessment or other evidence of the requirement to repay such refund received from the relevant taxing authority ( provided that such Lender or Agent may delete any information therein that such Lender or Agent deems confidential). Nothing herein contained shall interfere with the right of a Lender or Agent to arrange its tax affairs in whatever manner it thinks fit nor oblige any Lender or Agent to claim any tax refund or to disclose any information relating to its tax affairs or any computations in respect thereof or require any Lender or Agent to do anything that would prejudice its ability to benefit from any other refunds, credits, reliefs, remissions or repayments to which it may be entitled.

(h) Each Lender agrees that, upon the occurrence of any event giving rise to the operation of Section 3.01(a) or Section 3.01(c) with respect to such Lender it will, if requested by the relevant Borrower, use commercially reasonable efforts (subject to such Lender’s overall internal policies of general application and legal and regulatory restrictions) to avoid the consequences of such event, including to designate another Lending Office for any Loan or Letter of Credit affected by such event; provided that such efforts are made on terms that, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, cause such Lender and its Lending Office(s) to suffer no material economic, legal or regulatory disadvantage, and provided further that nothing in this Section 3.01(h) shall affect or postpone any of the Obligations of any Borrower or the rights of the Lender pursuant to Section 3.01(a) and Section 3.01(c) .

 

Credit Agreement

85


SECTION 3.02. Illegality . If any Lender determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable Lending Office to make, maintain or fund Eurodollar Rate Loans or EURIBOR Loans, as applicable, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurodollar Rate or EURIBOR Loans, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrowers through the Administrative Agent, any obligation of such Lender to make Eurodollar Rate Loans or EURIBOR Loans or continue Eurodollar Rate Loans or to convert Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be suspended until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, each such Borrower (i) may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to, or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans or EURIBOR Loans, as the case may be, or (ii) shall, upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay or, if applicable, convert all Eurodollar Rate Loans of such Lender to Base Rate Loans, either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Rate Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Rate Loans. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, each such Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted. Each Lender agrees to designate a different Lending Office if such designation will avoid the need for such notice and will not, in the good faith judgment of such Lender, otherwise be materially disadvantageous to such Lender.

SECTION 3.03. Inability to Determine Rates . If the Required Lenders determine that for any reason adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining the Eurodollar Rate or EURIBOR Rate, as applicable, for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurodollar Rate Loan or EURIBOR Loan, as applicable, or that the Eurodollar Rate or EURIBOR Rate, as applicable, for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurodollar Rate Loan or EURIBOR Loan, as applicable, does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding such Loan, or that Dollar deposits are not being offered to banks in the London interbank eurodollar market for the applicable amount and the Interest Period of such Eurodollar Rate Loan or EURIBOR Loan, as applicable, the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify each Borrower and each Lender. Thereafter, the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain Eurodollar Rate Loans or EURIBOR Loans, as applicable, shall be suspended until the Administrative Agent (upon the instruction of the Required Lenders) revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, each Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans in the amount specified therein.

SECTION 3.04. Increased Cost and Reduced Return; Capital Adequacy; Reserves on Eurodollar Rate Loans . (a) If any Lender reasonably determines in good faith that as a result of any Change in Law after the date hereof, or such Lender’s compliance therewith, there shall be any increase in the cost to such Lender of agreeing to make or making, funding or maintaining Eurodollar Rate Loans or EURIBOR Loans or (as the case may be) issuing or participating in Letters of Credit, or a reduction in the amount received or receivable by such Lender in connection with any of the foregoing (excluding for purposes of this Section 3.04(a) any such increased costs or reduction in amount resulting from (i) taxes on payments by or on account of the Borrowers (as to which Section 3.01 shall govern), (ii) changes in the basis of taxation of overall net income or overall gross income (including branch profits), and franchise (and similar) taxes imposed in lieu of net income taxes, by the United States or any foreign jurisdiction or any political subdivision of either thereof under the Laws of which such Lender is organized or maintains a Lending Office and (iii) reserve requirements contemplated by Section 3.04(c)) , then from time to time each such Borrower (A) may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of

 

Credit Agreement

86


Eurodollar Rate Loans or EURIBOR Loans, as applicable, conversion to or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans or (B) within thirty (30) days after written demand by such Lender setting forth in reasonable detail such increased costs or reduction (with a copy of such demand to the Administrative Agent given in accordance with Section 3.06 ), the relevant Borrower shall pay to such Lender such additional amounts as will compensate such Lender for such increased cost or reduction.

(b) If any Lender reasonably determines in good faith that a Change in Law after the date hereof has the effect of reducing the rate of return on the capital of such Lender or any corporation controlling such Lender as a consequence of such Lender’s obligations hereunder (taking into consideration its policies with respect to capital adequacy and such Lender’s desired return on capital), then from time to time (i) each such Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans or EURIBOR Loans, as applicable, (ii) within thirty (30) days after written demand by such Lender setting forth in reasonable detail the charge and the calculation of such reduced rate of return (with a copy of such demand to the Administrative Agent given in accordance with Section 3.06 ), the relevant Borrower shall pay to such Lender such additional amounts as will compensate such Lender for such reduction.

(c) Each Borrower shall pay to each Lender, (i) as long as such Lender shall be required to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency funds or deposits (currently known as “Eurocurrency liabilities”), additional interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Eurodollar Rate Loan or EURIBOR Loan, as applicable, equal to the actual costs of such reserves allocated to such Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error), and (ii) as long as such Lender shall be required to comply with any reserve ratio requirement or analogous requirement of any other central banking or financial regulatory authority imposed in respect of the maintenance of the Commitments or the funding of the Eurodollar Rate Loans or EURIBOR Loan, as applicable, such additional costs (expressed as a percentage per annum and rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest five decimal places) equal to the actual costs allocated to such Commitment or Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) which in each case shall be due and payable on each date on which interest is payable on such Loan; provided such Borrower shall have received at least thirty (30) days’ prior notice (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of such additional interest or cost from such Lender. If a Lender fails to give notice thirty (30) days prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date, such additional interest or cost shall be due and payable thirty (30) days from receipt of such notice.

(d) No Borrower shall be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to Section 3.04(a) , Section 3.04(b) or Section 3.04(c) for any such increased cost or reduction incurred more than ninety (90) days prior to the date that such Lender demands, or notifies such Borrower of its intention to demand, compensation therefor; provided that, if the circumstance giving rise to such increased cost or reduction is retroactive, then such 90-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

(e) If any Lender requests compensation under this Section 3.04 , then such Lender will, if requested by the relevant Borrower, use commercially reasonable efforts to designate another Lending Office for any Loan or Letter of Credit affected by such event; provided that such efforts are made on terms that, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, cause such Lender and its Lending Office(s) to suffer no material economic, legal or regulatory disadvantage, and provided further that nothing in this Section 3.04(e) shall affect or postpone any of the Obligations of any Borrower or the rights of such Lender pursuant to Section 3.04(a) , Section 3.04(b) , Section 3.04(c) or Section 3.04(d) .

 

Credit Agreement

87


SECTION 3.05. Funding Losses . Upon demand of any Lender from time to time, each Borrower shall promptly compensate such Lender for and hold such Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a result of:

(a) any continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment of any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise); or

(b) any failure by any Borrower (for a reason other than the failure of such Lender to make a Loan) to prepay, borrow, continue or convert any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on the date or in the amount notified by such Borrower;

including any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain such Loan or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained.

For purposes of calculating amounts payable by a Borrower to the Lenders under this Section 3.05 , each Lender shall be deemed to have funded each Eurodollar Rate Loan made by it at the Eurodollar Rate for such Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the London interbank eurodollar market for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such Eurodollar Rate Loan was in fact so funded.

SECTION 3.06. Matters Applicable to Requests for Compensation . (a) Any Agent or any Lender claiming compensation under this Article 3 shall deliver a certificate to the applicable Borrower setting forth in reasonable detail the additional amount or amounts to be paid to it hereunder, which shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. In determining such amount, such Agent or such Lender may use any reasonable averaging and attribution methods.

(b) With respect to any Lender’s claim for compensation under Section 3.02 , Section 3.03 or Section 3.04 , no Borrower shall be required to compensate such Lender for any amount incurred more than ninety (90) days prior to the date that such Lender notifies the relevant Borrower of the event that gives rise to such claim; provided that, if the circumstance giving rise to such increased cost or reduction is retroactive, then such 90-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof. If any Lender requests compensation by a Borrower under Section 3.04 , such Borrower may, by notice to such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), suspend the obligation of such Lender to make or continue Eurodollar Rate Loans from one Interest Period to another, or to convert Base Rate Loans into Eurodollar Rate Loans, until the event or condition giving rise to such request ceases to be in effect (in which case the provisions of Section 3.06(c) shall be applicable); provided that such suspension shall not affect the right of such Lender to receive the compensation so requested.

(c) If the obligation of any Lender to make or continue any Eurodollar Rate Loan from one Interest Period to another, or to convert Base Rate Loans into Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be suspended pursuant to Section 3.06(b) hereof, such Lender’s Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be automatically converted into Base Rate Loans on the last day(s) of the then current Interest Period(s) for such Eurodollar Rate Loans (or, in the case of an immediate conversion required by Section 3.02 , on such earlier date as required by Law) and, unless and until such Lender gives notice as provided below that the circumstances specified in Section 3.01 , Section 3.02 , Section 3.03 or Section 3.04 hereof that gave rise to such conversion no longer exist:

 

Credit Agreement

88


(i) to the extent that such Lender’s Eurodollar Rate Loans have been so converted, all payments and prepayments of principal that would otherwise be applied to such Lender’s Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be applied instead to its Base Rate Loans; and

(ii) all Loans that would otherwise be made or continued as Eurodollar Rate Loans from one Interest Period to another by such Lender shall be made or continued instead as Base Rate Loans, and all Base Rate Loans of such Lender that would otherwise be converted into Eurodollar Rate Loans shall remain as Base Rate Loans.

(d) If any Lender gives notice to a Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) that the circumstances specified in Section 3.01 , Section 3.02 , Section 3.03 or Section 3.04 hereof that gave rise to the conversion of such Lender’s Eurodollar Rate Loans pursuant to this Section 3.06 no longer exist (which such Lender agrees to do promptly upon such circumstances ceasing to exist) at a time when Eurodollar Rate Loans made by other Lenders are outstanding, such Lender’s Base Rate Loans shall be automatically converted irrespective of whether such conversion results in greater than twenty-five (25) Interest Periods being outstanding under this Agreement, on the first day(s) of the next succeeding Interest Period(s) for such outstanding Eurodollar Rate Loans, to the extent necessary so that, after giving effect thereto, all Loans held by the Lenders holding Eurodollar Rate Loans and by such Lender are held pro rata (as to principal amounts, interest rate basis, and Interest Periods) in accordance with their respective Commitments.

SECTION 3.07. Replacement of Lenders Under Certain Circumstances . (a) If at any time (x) any Borrower becomes obligated to pay additional amounts or indemnity payments described in Section 3.01 or Section 3.04 as a result of any condition described in such Sections or any Lender ceases to make Eurodollar Rate Loans as a result of any condition described in Section 3.02 or Section 3.04, (y) any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender or (z) any Lender becomes a Non Consenting Lender, then such Borrower may, on ten (10) Business Days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent and such Lender, replace such Lender (in its capacity as a Lender under the applicable Facility, if the underlying matter in respect of which such Lender has become a Non-Consenting Lender relates to a certain Class of Loans or Commitments) by causing such Lender to (and such Lender shall be obligated to) assign pursuant to Section 10.07(b) (with the assignment fee to be paid by such Borrower in such instance) all of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (in respect of the applicable Class of Loans or Commitments if the underlying matter in respect of which such Lender has become a Non-Consenting Lender relates to a certain Class of Loans or Commitments) to one or more Eligible Assignees; provided that (A) in the case of any Eligible Assignees in respect of Non-Consenting Lenders, the replacement Lender shall agree to the consent, waiver or amendment to which the Non-Consenting Lender did not agree and (B) neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation to any Borrower to find a replacement Lender or other such Person.

(b) Any Lender being replaced pursuant to Section 3.07(a) above shall (i) execute and deliver an Assignment and Assumption with respect to such Lender’s Commitment and outstanding Loans of the applicable Class and, if applicable, participations in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans, and (ii) deliver any Notes evidencing such Loans to the relevant Borrower or the Administrative Agent. Pursuant to such Assignment and Assumption, (i) the assignee Lender shall acquire all or a portion, as the case may be, of the assigning Lender’s Commitment and outstanding Loans of the applicable Class and, if applicable, participations in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans, (ii) all obligations of the Borrowers owing to the assigning Lender relating to the Loans and participations so assigned shall be paid in full by the assignee Lender to such assigning Lender concurrently with such assignment and assumption and (iii) upon such payment and, if so requested by the assignee Lender, delivery to the assignee Lender of the appropriate Note or Notes executed by the relevant Borrower, the assignee Lender shall become a Lender

 

Credit Agreement

89


hereunder and the assigning Lender shall cease to constitute a Lender hereunder with respect to such assigned Loans, Commitments and participations, except with respect to indemnification provisions under this Agreement, which shall survive as to such assigning Lender.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained above, (i) the Lender that acts as the L/C Issuer may not be replaced hereunder at any time that it has any Letter of Credit outstanding hereunder unless arrangements reasonably satisfactory to such L/C Issuer (including the furnishing of a back-up standby letter of credit in form and substance, and issued by an issuer reasonably satisfactory to such L/C Issuer or the depositing of cash collateral into a cash collateral account in amounts and pursuant to arrangements reasonably satisfactory to such L/C Issuer) have been made with respect to such outstanding Letter of Credit and (ii) the Lender that acts as the Administrative Agent may not be replaced in such capacity hereunder except in accordance with the terms of Section 9.06 .

(d) In the event that (i) the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent has requested the Lenders to consent to a departure or waiver of any provisions of the Loan Documents or to agree to any amendment thereto, (ii) the consent, waiver or amendment in question requires the agreement of all affected Lenders in accordance with the terms of Section 10.01 or all the Lenders with respect to a certain Class of Loans or Commitments and (iii) the Required Lenders have agreed to such consent, waiver or amendment, then any Lender who does not agree to such consent, waiver or amendment shall be deemed a “ Non-Consenting Lender .”

SECTION 3.08. Survival . All of the Borrowers’ obligations under this Article 3 shall survive termination of the Aggregate Commitments and repayment of all other Obligations hereunder.

ARTICLE 4

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

SECTION 4.01. Conditions Precedent to Initial Credit Extension . The obligation of each Lender to make its initial Credit Extension hereunder is subject to satisfaction (or waiver) of the following conditions precedent:

(a) The Administrative Agent’s receipt of the following, each of which shall be originals or facsimiles or pdf electronic copies (followed promptly by originals) unless otherwise specified, each properly executed by a Responsible Officer of the signing Loan Party, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:

(i) executed counterparts of this Agreement;

(ii) executed counterparts of each Guaranty;

(iii) a Note executed by the relevant Borrower in favor of each Lender requesting a Note, if any;

(iv) the Closing Date Security Agreements, duly executed by each of the relevant Loan Parties, together with, if applicable:

 

Credit Agreement

90


(A) certificates representing the Pledged Equity referred to therein, accompanied by undated stock powers executed in blank or, if applicable, other appropriate instruments of transfer and instruments evidencing the Pledged Debt, if any, indorsed in blank, and

(B) copies of all searches with respect to the Collateral, together with copies of the financing statements (or similar documents) disclosed by such searches, and accompanied by evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that the Liens indicated in any such financing statement (or similar document) would be permitted by Section 7.01 or have been or contemporaneously will be released or terminated or otherwise provided for in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and all proper financing statements, duly prepared for filing under the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable Law in all jurisdictions necessary in order to perfect (if and to the extent required to be perfected under the Security Agreement) and protect the Liens created under the Closing Date Security Agreements, covering the Collateral of the relevant Borrower described in the relevant Closing Date Security Agreement;

(v) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit Q attesting to the Solvency of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) on the Closing Date after giving effect to the Transactions, from the Chief Financial Officer (or another Responsible Officer) of the BV Borrower;

(vi) [intentionally omitted]

(vii) [intentionally omitted];

(viii) evidence that all insurance (including without limitation title insurance) required to be maintained pursuant to the Loan Documents has been obtained and is in effect and that the Administrative Agent has been named as loss payee under each property insurance policy with respect to such insurance as to which the Administrative Agent shall have requested to be so named;

(ix) a Request for Credit Extension relating to the initial Credit Extensions in accordance with the requirements hereof;

(x) an opinion of each of (A) Kirkland & Ellis LLP, special counsel to the Loan Parties, (B) Loyens Loeff N.V., Dutch counsel to the Loan Parties and (C) Van Doorne N.V., Dutch counsel to the Administrative Agent, each addressed to each Agent and each Lender and each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

(xi) such documents and certifications as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require to evidence that each Loan Party is duly organized or formed, validly existing, in good standing and qualified to engage in business in its jurisdiction of organization;

(xii) such certificates of resolutions or other action, incumbency certificates and/or other certificates of Responsible Officers of each Loan Party as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require evidencing the identity, authority and capacity of each Responsible Officer of such Loan Party authorized to act as a Responsible Officer in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party; and

 

Credit Agreement

91


(xiii) certified copies of each of the Senior Note Documents, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and each duly executed by the parties thereto, which shall be in full force and effective in accordance with their respective terms as of the Closing Date.

(b) [Intentionally omitted]

(c) The representations and warranties contained in Article 5 shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Closing Date.

(d) [Intentionally omitted]

(e) No Default shall exist, or would result from such proposed initial Credit Extension or from the application of the proceeds therefrom.

(f) [Intentionally omitted]

(g) All fees and expenses required to be paid on or before the Closing Date and invoiced (with reasonably supporting documentation) and delivered to the Borrowers before the Closing Date shall have been paid in full in cash.

(h) The Administrative Agent shall have received all documentation and other information requested at least 5 Business Days prior to the Closing Date with respect to each Loan Party required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation, the Patriot Act.

SECTION 4.02. Conditions to All Credit Extensions After the Closing Date . The obligation of each Lender to honor any Request for Credit Extension (other than in connection with (i) a Credit Extension to be made on the Closing Date, or (ii) a Committed Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Loans to the other Type, or a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans) is subject to satisfaction (or waiver) of the following conditions precedent:

(a) The representations and warranties of each Borrower and each other Loan Party contained in Article 5 or any other Loan Document shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Credit Extension, except (i) to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date, (ii) that for purposes of this Section 4.02 , the representations and warranties contained in Section 5.05(a) and Section 5.05(b) shall be deemed to refer to the most recent financial statements furnished pursuant to Section 6.01(a) and Section 6.01(b) and, in the case of the financial statements furnished pursuant to Section 6.01(b) , the representations contained in Section 5.05(a) , as modified by this clause (ii) , shall be qualified by the statement that such financial statements are subject to the absence of footnotes and year-end audit adjustments and (iii) to the extent that such representations and warranties contain a materiality qualification, such representations and warranties shall be accurate in all respects.

(b) No Default shall exist, or would result from such proposed Credit Extension or from the application of the proceeds therefrom.

(c) The Administrative Agent and, if applicable, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender shall have received a Request for Credit Extension in accordance with the requirements hereof.

 

Credit Agreement

92


Each Request for Credit Extension (other than (i) a Credit Extension to be made on the Closing Date, or (ii) a Committed Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Loans to the other Type or a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans) submitted by any Borrower shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty that the conditions specified in Section 4.02(a) and Section 4.02(b) have been satisfied on and as of the date of the applicable Credit Extension.

ARTICLE 5

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Each of the Borrowers represents and warrants to the Agents and the Lenders on the Closing Date and on each other date required by Section 4.02 that:

SECTION 5.01. Existence, Qualification and Power; Compliance with Laws . Each Loan Party and each of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) is a Person duly organized or formed, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, (b) has all requisite corporate or other applicable entity power and authority to (i) own or lease its assets and carry on its business and (ii) execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (c) is duly qualified and in good standing under the Laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, (d) is in compliance with all Laws, writs, injunctions and orders and (e) has all requisite governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals to operate its business as currently conducted; except in each case referred to in clauses (a)  (other than with respect to any Borrower), (b)(i) , (c) , (d)  or (e) , to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.02. Authorization; No Contravention . The (a) execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of each Loan Document to which such Person is a party, and (b) as of the Closing Date only, the consummation of the Transactions (other than the Transactions described in clause (a) ), are within such Loan Party’s corporate or other powers, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action, and do not and will not (i) contravene the terms of any of such Person’s Organization Documents, (ii) conflict with or result in any breach or contravention of, or the creation of any Lien under (other than as permitted by Section 7.01 ), or constitute a default under or require any payment (except for Indebtedness to be repaid on or prior to the Closing Date in connection with the Transactions) to be made under (x) (A) any Junior Financing Documentation or (B) any other Contractual Obligation to which such Person is a party or affecting such Person or the properties of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries or (y) any order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority or any arbitral award to which such Person or its property is subject; or (iii) violate any Law (including, without limitation, Regulation X issued by the FRB); except with respect to any conflict, breach, contravention, default, payment (but not creation of Liens) or violation referred to in clause (ii)  or clause (iii) , to the extent that such conflict, breach, contravention, default, payment or violation could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.03. Governmental Authorization; Other Consents . No material approval, consent, exemption, authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is necessary or required in connection with (a) the execution, delivery or performance by any Loan Party of this Agreement or any other Loan

 

Credit Agreement

93


Document, (b) the grant by any Loan Party of the Liens granted by it pursuant to the Collateral Documents, (c) the perfection (if and to the extent required to be perfected under the Security Agreement) or maintenance of the Liens created under the Collateral Documents (including the priority thereof) or (d) the exercise by the Administrative Agent or any Lender of its rights under the Loan Documents or the remedies in respect of the Collateral pursuant to the Collateral Documents, except for (i) filings necessary to perfect the Liens (if and to the extent required to be perfected under the Security Agreement) on the Collateral granted by the Loan Parties in favor of the Secured Parties or to release existing Liens in connection with the Transaction, (ii) the approvals, consents, exemptions, authorizations, actions, notices and filings which have been (and with respect to IP Rights, will be) duly obtained, taken, given or made and are in full force and effect and (iii) those approvals, consents, exemptions, authorizations or other actions, notices or filings, the failure of which to obtain or make could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.04. Binding Effect . This Agreement and each other Loan Document has been duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is party thereto. This Agreement and each other Loan Document constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Loan Party that is a party thereto, enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium or other Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law).

SECTION 5.05. Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect . (a) The Historical Financial Statements fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the BV Borrower and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of the date thereof and their results of operations for the period covered thereby in accordance with GAAP or the equivalent accounting principles in the relevant local jurisdiction consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein.

(b) In the case of the Closing Date, since December 31, 2010 and, in all other cases, since the date of the most recent audited financial statements delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.01(a) , there has been no material adverse change in, or event or condition, either individually or in the aggregate, that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, operations, assets, financial condition or operating results of the BV Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

(c) The forecasts of consolidated balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement of the Ultimate Parent and its Subsidiaries for each fiscal year ending after the Closing Date until the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015, copies of which have been furnished to the Administrative Agent and the Initial Lenders prior to the Closing Date, have been prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time made in light of the conditions existing at the time of preparation of such forecasts and represented, at the time of preparation, the Ultimate Parent’s reasonable estimate of its future financial performance, it being understood that (i) such forecasts, as to future events, are not to be viewed as facts, that actual results during the period or periods covered by any such forecasts may differ significantly from the forecasted results and that such differences may be material and that such forecasts are not a guarantee of financial performance and (ii) no representation is made with respect to information of a general economic or general industry nature.

 

Credit Agreement

94


SECTION 5.06. Litigation . Except as disclosed on Schedule 5.06 (the “ Disclosed Litigation ”), there are no actions, suits, proceedings, claims or disputes pending or, to the actual knowledge of any Responsible Officer of any Borrower, threatened in writing, at law, in equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental Authority, by or against any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or against any of their properties or revenues that (a) purport to restrain or contest entry into or performance under this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the consummation of the Transactions or (b) either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and there has been no materially adverse change in the status, or financial effect on any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, of the Disclosed Litigation from that described on Schedule 5.06 hereto.

SECTION 5.07. Ownership of Property; Liens . (a) Each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries, as applicable, has good record and marketable title in fee simple to, or valid leasehold interests in, or easements or other limited property interests in, all real property necessary in the ordinary conduct of its business, free and clear of all Liens except for Permitted Encumbrances and such minor defects in title that do not materially interfere with its ability to conduct its business or to utilize such assets for their intended purposes and Liens permitted by Section 7.01 and except where the failure to have such title or other property interests described above could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Schedule 7.01(b) sets forth a list of all Liens on the property and assets (other than Liens with respect to any IP Rights and licenses with respect thereto) of each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries that is complete and accurate in all material respects, showing as of the date hereof the lienholder thereof, the principal amount of the obligations secured thereby and the property or assets of such Loan Party or such Subsidiary subject thereto. The property of each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries is subject to no Liens, other than Liens set forth on Schedule 7.01(b), and as otherwise permitted by Section 7.01.

(c) Schedule 5.07(c) sets forth a complete and accurate list of all Material Real Property owned by any Loan Party or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as of the Closing Date, showing as of such date the street address (to the extent available), county or other relevant jurisdiction, state and record owner. Each Loan Party has good and marketable title to the real property owned by such Loan Party, free and clear of all Liens, other than Liens created or permitted by the Loan Documents.

(d) Schedule 7.02(f) sets forth a list of all Investments held by any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of a Loan Party that is complete and accurate in all material respects, as of the Closing Date, on the date hereof, showing as of the date hereof the amount, obligor or issuer and maturity, if any, thereof.

SECTION 5.08. Environmental Compliance . (a) There are no actions, suits, proceedings, demands or claims alleging potential liability or responsibility for violation of, or liability under, any Environmental Law received by, and relating to businesses, operations or properties of, any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries that could, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) none of the properties currently or, to the actual knowledge of any Responsible Officer of any Borrower, formerly owned, leased or operated by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or, to the actual knowledge of any

 

Credit Agreement

95


Responsible Officer of any Borrower, to which any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries sent any Hazardous Materials for disposal, is listed on the NPL or on the CERCLIS or any analogous foreign, state or local list; (ii) there are no and, to the actual knowledge of any Responsible Officer of any Borrower, never have been any underground or aboveground storage tanks or any surface impoundments, septic tanks, pits, sumps or lagoons in which Hazardous Materials are being or have been discharged, treated, stored or disposed on, at or under any property currently owned or operated by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries or, to its actual knowledge, on, at or under any property formerly owned, leased or operated by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries during or prior to the period of such ownership or operation; (iii) there is no asbestos or asbestos-containing material on or at any property currently owned or operated by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries; and (iv) Hazardous Materials have not been released, discharged or disposed of on, at or under any property currently or to the actual knowledge of any Responsible Officer of any Borrower formerly owned or operated by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, except for such releases, discharges or disposal that were in compliance with Environmental Laws.

(c) The Material Real Properties do not contain any Hazardous Materials in amounts or concentrations which (i) constitute or constituted a violation of, (ii) require response or remedial action under, or (iii) could result in a Borrower incurring liability under Environmental Laws, which violations, actions and liabilities, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(d) None of the Loan Parties or any of their respective Subsidiaries is undertaking, and has not completed, either individually or together with other potentially responsible parties, any investigation or assessment or remedial or response action relating to any actual or threatened release, discharge or disposal of Hazardous Materials at any site, location or operation, either voluntarily or pursuant to the order of any Governmental Authority or the requirements of any Environmental Law except for any such investigation or assessment or remedial or response action that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(e) No Hazardous Materials generated, used, treated, handled or stored at, or transported to or from, any property currently or formerly owned or operated by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries have been disposed of by or on behalf of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries in a manner that could not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

This Section 5.08 sets forth the sole and exclusive representations and warranties of the Loan Parties with respect to environmental, health or safety matters.

SECTION 5.09. Taxes . The Loan Parties have filed all Federal and state income and other material tax returns and reports required to be filed (after giving effect to permitted extension periods), and have paid all Federal and state income and other material taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental charges levied or imposed upon them or their properties, income or assets otherwise due and payable, except those (a) which are not overdue by more than sixty (60) days or (b) which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP or the equivalent accounting principles in the relevant local jurisdiction or (c) with respect to which the failure to make such filing or payment could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Credit Agreement

96


SECTION 5.10. ERISA Compliance . (a) Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) each Pension Plan is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code; and (ii) each Pension Plan that is intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code has either received a favorable determination letter from the IRS or an application for such a letter has been or will be submitted to the IRS within the applicable required time period with respect thereto and, to the knowledge of any Borrower, nothing has occurred which could reasonably be expected to prevent, or cause the loss of, such qualification.

(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.10(b) , there are no pending or, to the knowledge of any Borrower, threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental Authority, with respect to any Pension Plan that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of any Borrower, there has been no prohibited transaction or violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Pension Plan that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(c) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.10(c) , (i) no ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur; (ii) no Pension Plan has an “accumulated funding deficiency” (as defined in Section 412 of the Code), whether or not waived, and no application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard has been filed with respect to any Pension Plan; (iii) none of the Borrowers or any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably expects to incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan (other than premiums not yet due or premiums due and not yet delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA); (iv) none of the Borrowers or any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably expects to incur, any liability (and no event has occurred which, with the giving of notice under Section 4219 of ERISA, would result in such liability) under Sections 4201 or 4243 of ERISA with respect to a Multiemployer Plan; and (v) none of the Borrowers or any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a transaction that could be subject to Sections 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA, except, with respect to each of the foregoing clauses of this Section 5.10(c) , as could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.11. Subsidiaries; Equity Interests . As of the Closing Date, no Loan Party has any Subsidiaries other than those specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.11 , and all of the outstanding Equity Interests in each Restricted Subsidiary are fully paid and with respect to corporate shares, nonassessable and are owned directly by the Person set forth on Schedule 5.11 and are free and clear of all Liens except (i) those created under the Collateral Documents and (ii) any nonconsensual Lien that is permitted under Section 7.01 . As of the Closing Date, Schedule 5.11 (a) sets forth the name and jurisdiction of each Subsidiary, (b) sets forth the direct ownership interest of the BV Borrower and any other Subsidiary in each Subsidiary, including the percentage of such ownership and (c) identifies each Material Foreign Subsidiary.

SECTION 5.12. Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act . (a) No proceeds of any Borrowings or drawings under any Letter of Credit will be used to purchase or carry any margin stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin stock in violation of Regulation U issued by the FRB.

(b) None of the Borrowers, or any of their Subsidiaries is required to be registered as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

Credit Agreement

97


SECTION 5.13. Disclosure . To the actual knowledge of the Responsible Officers of the Borrowers, no report, financial statement, certificate or other written information furnished by or on behalf of any Loan Party to any Agent or any Lender in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder or any other Loan Document (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) when taken as a whole contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading; provided that, (i) with respect to financial estimates, projected financial information and other forward-looking information, each Borrower represents and warrants only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time of preparation; it being understood that such projections, as to future events, are not to be viewed as facts, that actual results during the period or periods covered by any such projections may differ significantly from the projected results and that such differences may be material and that such projections are not a guarantee of financial performance and (ii) no representation is made with respect to information of a general economic or general industry nature.

SECTION 5.14. Intellectual Property, Licenses, Etc . Schedule 5.14 sets forth a complete and accurate list of all registered, patented or applied for Material Intellectual Property on the Closing Date, owned by each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries, showing as of the Closing Date the jurisdiction in which each such Material Intellectual Property is registered, the registration number and the date of registration. Each Loan Party and its Restricted Subsidiaries own, or possess the right to use, all of the material trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, patents, patent rights, licenses, database rights and design rights and other intellectual property rights (collectively, “ IP Rights ”) that are reasonably necessary for the operation of their respective businesses as currently operated by each Loan Party and its Restricted Subsidiaries without conflict with the rights of any other Person, except to the extent such failure to own or possess the right to use or such conflicts, either individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of Borrowers, no trademarks, servicemarks, copyrights, logos, designs, slogans or other advertising devices, products, processes, methods, substances, part or other material, as currently used or employed by any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary, infringes upon any rights held by any other Person except for such infringements, individually or in the aggregate, which could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No claim or litigation regarding any of the foregoing is pending or, to the actual knowledge of any Borrower, threatened, which, either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.15. Solvency . On the Closing Date after giving effect to the Transaction, the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, are Solvent.

SECTION 5.16. Perfection, Mortgages, Etc .

All filings and other actions reasonably necessary to perfect (if and to the extent required to be perfected under the Security Agreements) and protect the Liens on the Collateral created under, and in the manner contemplated by, the Collateral Documents have been duly made (or with respect to applicable IP Rights, will be made) or taken or otherwise provided for in a manner reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent and are in full force and effect and the Collateral Documents create in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties a valid and, together with such filings and other actions, perfected (if and to the extent required to be perfected under the Security Agreement) first priority Lien in the Collateral, securing the payment of the Secured Obligations, subject

 

Credit Agreement

98


to Liens permitted by Section 7.01 . The Loan Parties are the legal and beneficial owners of the Collateral free and clear of any Lien, except for the Liens created or permitted under the Loan Documents. Each Mortgage creates, as security for the obligations purported to be secured thereby, a valid and enforceable first mortgage Lien on the respective Property in favor of the Administrative Agent (or such other trustee as may be required under local law) for the benefit of the Secured Parties, superior and prior to the rights of all third Persons, except for the Liens created or permitted under the Loan Documents. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, nothing in this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall require any Loan Party or any of their Subsidiaries to make any filings or take any actions to record or perfect the Administrative Agent’s Lien on and security interest in any intellectual property Collateral other than Collateral that is Material Intellectual Property.

SECTION 5.17. Compliance with Laws Generally . None of the Loan Parties or any of their respective material properties, or the use of such material properties, is in violation of any applicable Law, or is in default with respect to any judgment, writ, injunction, decree or order of any Governmental Authority, except for such violations or defaults that (a) are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or (b) individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.18. Labor Matters . Except as in the aggregate has not had and could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, there are no strikes, lockouts or slowdowns against any Loan Party pending or, to the knowledge of any Responsible Officer of any Borrower, threatened.

ARTICLE 6

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

So long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, any Loan or other Obligation (other than contingent indemnification obligations not then due and payable) hereunder which is accrued and payable shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, or any Letter of Credit that has not been collateralized on terms reasonably satisfactory to the applicable L/C Issuer shall remain outstanding, each of the Borrowers shall, and shall (except in the case of the covenants set forth in Section 6.01 , Section 6.02 , Section 6.03 , Section 6.15 , Section 6.16 , Section 6.17 and Section 6.18 ) cause each Restricted Subsidiary to:

SECTION 6.01. Financial Statements . Deliver to the Administrative Agent for further distribution to each Lender:

(a) as soon as available, but in any event within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year thereafter, a consolidated balance sheet of the Ultimate Parent and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal year, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, audited and accompanied by a report and opinion of Ernst & Young LLP or any other independent certified public accountant of nationally recognized standing, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any “going concern” or like qualification or exception or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit;

 

Credit Agreement

99


(b) as soon as available, but in any event within forty-five (45) days after the end of each fiscal quarter thereafter, excluding, in each case, the fourth fiscal quarter, a consolidated balance sheet of the Ultimate Parent and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal quarter, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations and cash flows for such fiscal quarter and for the portion of the fiscal year then ended, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding fiscal quarter of the previous fiscal year and the corresponding portion of the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and certified by a Responsible Officer of the Ultimate Parent as fairly presenting in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Ultimate Parent and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes; and

(c) as soon as available, but in any event no later than ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year thereafter, forecasts prepared by management of the Ultimate Parent, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, of consolidated balance sheets, income statements, shareholders’ equity statements and cash flow statements of the Ultimate Parent and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year following such fiscal year then ended.

(d) simultaneously with the delivery of each set of consolidated financial statements referred to in Section 6.01(a) and Section 6.01(b) above, (i) the related consolidating balance sheet and the related consolidating statements of income or operations reflecting the adjustments necessary to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such consolidated financial statements and (ii) a reconciliation report describing any material differences between such financial statements and the corresponding financial information applicable to the BV Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis (a “ Reconciliation Report ”), and such Reconciliation Report shall be certified by a Responsible Officer of the Ultimate Parent as fairly presenting in all material respect such information (for the avoidance of doubt, it is acknowledged that no Reconciliation Report shall be required to be audited).

SECTION 6.02. Certificates; Other Information . Deliver to the Administrative Agent for further distribution to each Lender:

(a) no later than five (5) days after the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Section 6.01(a) , a certificate of its independent certified public accountants auditing such financial statements that addresses either (i) whether in making the examination necessary therefor or (ii) through performance of other acceptable procedures under professional auditing standards, such firm obtained knowledge of any Event of Default under Section 7.11 or, if any such Event of Default shall exist, stating the nature and status of such event;

(b) no later than five (5) days after the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Section 6.01(a) and Section 6.01(b) , a duly completed Compliance Certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the BV Borrower (which shall set forth reasonably detailed calculations (i) demonstrating compliance with Section 7.11 , if applicable, and (ii) in the case of any delivery of financial statements under Section 6.01(a) in respect of any fiscal year ending on or after December 31, 2012, of Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year);

(c) promptly after the same are publicly available, copies of all annual, regular, periodic and special reports and registration statements which BV Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary filed with the SEC under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or with any Governmental Authority that may be substituted therefor, or with any national securities exchange, and in any case not otherwise required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant hereto;

 

Credit Agreement

100


(d) promptly after the furnishing thereof, copies of any material requests or material notices received by any Loan Party (other than in the ordinary course of business) from, or material statement or material report furnished to, any holder of debt securities of any Loan Party or of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of any Junior Financing Documentation in a principal amount greater than the Threshold Amount and not otherwise required to be furnished to the Lenders pursuant to any other clause of this Section 6.02 ;

(e) promptly after the receipt thereof by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, copies of each notice or other written correspondence received from the SEC (or comparable agency in any applicable non-US jurisdiction) concerning any material investigation or other material inquiry by such agency regarding financial or other operational results of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries;

(f) together with the delivery of each Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 6.02(b) , (i) a report supplementing Schedule 5.07(c) hereto, including, in the case of supplements to Schedule 5.07(c) , an identification of all owned Material Real Property Disposed of by any Loan Party since the delivery of the last supplements and a list and description of all Material Real Property acquired by any Loan Party or its Restricted Subsidiaries since the delivery of the last supplements (including the street address (if available), county or other relevant jurisdiction, state or other relevant jurisdiction, and the record owner), (ii) a description of each event, condition or circumstance during the last fiscal quarter covered by such Compliance Certificate requiring a mandatory prepayment under Section 2.05(b) ;

(g) promptly after any Borrower has notified the Administrative Agent of any intention by such Borrower to treat the Loans and/or Letters of Credit and related transactions as being a “reportable transaction” (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4), a duly completed copy of IRS Form 8886 or any successor form; and

(h) promptly, such additional information regarding the business, legal, financial or corporate affairs of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of the Loan Documents, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender through the Administrative Agent may from time to time reasonably request.

Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) , Section 6.01(b) , Section 6.02(c) or Section 6.02(d) (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the BV Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the BV Borrower’s website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 10.02 ; or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the BV Borrower’s behalf on IntraLinks/IntraAgency or another relevant website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent); provided that: (A) upon the request of the Administrative Agent, the BV Borrower shall deliver paper copies of such documents to the Administrative Agent for further distribution to each Lender and (B) the BV Borrower shall notify (which may be by facsimile or electronic mail) the Administrative Agent of the posting of any such documents and provide to the Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions ( i.e. , soft copies) of such documents. Except for Compliance Certificates, the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery or to maintain copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by the BV Borrower with any such request for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery of or maintaining its copies of such documents. The BV Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Arrangers will make available to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the BV Borrower hereunder (collectively, “ Borrower Materials ”) by posting the Borrower Materials on IntraLinks or another similar electronic system (the “ Platform ”) and (b) certain of the Lenders may be

 

Credit Agreement

101


“public-side” Lenders (i.e., Lenders that do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the BV Borrower or its securities) (each, a “ Public Lender ”). The BV Borrower hereby agrees that (w) all Borrower Materials that are to be made available to Public Lenders shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the BV Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders to treat the Borrower Materials as either publicly available information or not material information (although it may be sensitive and proprietary) with respect to the BV Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws; (y) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Investor;” and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform designated “Private Investor.”

SECTION 6.03. Notices . Promptly notify the Administrative Agent:

(a) of the occurrence of any Default; amd

(b) of any matter that has resulted or could in the reasonable judgment of any Loan Party reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, including any such matter arising out of or resulting from (i) breach or non-performance of, or any default under, a Contractual Obligation of any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) any dispute, litigation, investigation, proceeding or suspension between any Loan Party or any Subsidiary and any Governmental Authority, (iii) the commencement of, or any material adverse development in, any litigation or proceeding affecting any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, including pursuant to any applicable Environmental Laws or the assertion or occurrence of any alleged noncompliance by any Loan Party or as any of its Subsidiaries with any Environmental Law or Environmental Permit, or (iv) the occurrence of any ERISA Event.

Each notice pursuant to this Section 6.03 shall be accompanied by a written statement of a Responsible Officer of the BV Borrower (x) that such notice is being delivered pursuant to Section 6.03(a) or Section 6.03(b) (as applicable) and (y) setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action the BV Borrower or the applicable Loan Party has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto. Each notice pursuant to Section 6.03(a) shall describe with particularity any and all provisions of this Agreement and any other Loan Document in respect of which such Default exists.

SECTION 6.04. Payment of Obligations . Pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy as the same shall become due and payable, all its obligations and liabilities except, in each case, to the extent the failure to pay or discharge the same could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 6.05. Preservation of Existence, Etc . (a) Preserve, renew and maintain in full force and effect its legal existence under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization except in a transaction permitted by Section 7.04 or Section 7.05 , and, in the case of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Borrower) to the extent the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (b) take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges (including its good standing), permits, licenses, Material Intellectual

 

Credit Agreement

102


Property owned by each of the Loan Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries and franchises necessary in the normal conduct of its business, except (i) to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) pursuant to a transaction permitted by Section 7.04 or Section 7.05 , or (iii) with respect to Material Intellectual Property, in accordance with prudent industry practice, in the reasonable judgment of management or that is uneconomical, negligible, obsolete or otherwise not material in the conduct of its business.

SECTION 6.06. Maintenance of Properties . Except if the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (a) maintain, preserve and protect all of its material properties and equipment necessary in the operation of its business in good working order, repair and condition, ordinary wear and tear, casualty and condemnation excepted, and (b) make all necessary renewals, replacements, modifications, improvements, upgrades, extensions and additions thereof or thereto in accordance with prudent industry practice or in the reasonable judgment of management.

SECTION 6.07. Maintenance of Insurance . Maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance with respect to its properties and business against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by Persons engaged in the same or similar business, of such types and in such amounts (after giving effect to any self-insurance reasonable and customary for similarly situated Persons engaged in the same or similar businesses as the BV Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the same geographic locales) as are customarily carried under similar circumstances by such other Persons.

SECTION 6.08. Compliance with Laws . Comply in all material respects with the requirements of all Laws and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its business or property, except if the failure to comply therewith could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 6.09. Books and Records . Maintain proper books of record and account (in which full, true and correct, in all material respects, entries shall be made of all material financial transactions and matters involving the assets and business of the BV Borrower and the Subsidiaries) in a manner that permits the preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP or the equivalent accounting principles in the relevant local jurisdiction.

SECTION 6.10. Inspection Rights . Permit representatives and independent contractors of the Administrative Agent to visit and inspect any of its properties, to examine its corporate, financial and operating records, and make copies thereof or abstracts therefrom, and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with its directors, officers, and independent public accountants (so long as an executed standard access letter of such independent public accountants is received from the Administrative Agent) and to examine and make extracts from its books and records, all at such reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested, all at the expense of the Borrowers as provided below and at such reasonable times during normal business hours and as often as may be reasonably desired, upon reasonable advance notice to the BV Borrower and the applicable Loan Party; provided that, excluding any such visits and inspections during the continuation of an Event of Default, only the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders may exercise

 

Credit Agreement

103


rights under this Section 6.10 and the Administrative Agent shall not exercise such rights more often than one (1) time during any calendar year absent the existence and continuance of an Event of Default and only at such time shall it be at the Borrowers’ expense; provided further that when an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing the Administrative Agent or any such Lender (or any of their respective representatives or independent contractors) may do any of the foregoing at the expense of the Borrowers at any time during normal business hours and upon reasonable advance notice. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall give the Borrowers the opportunity to participate in any discussions with the Borrowers’ accountants.

SECTION 6.11. Use of Proceeds . Use the proceeds of the Credit Extensions (i) in the case of the Term Loans, to finance the Transactions, (ii) to pay fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions and (iii) to provide ongoing working capital and for other general corporate purposes of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries (including Permitted Acquisitions).

SECTION 6.12. Covenant to Guarantee Obligations and Give Security (a) Upon (A) the formation or acquisition of any new direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary by any Loan Party or the designation in accordance with Section 6.15 of any existing direct or indirect Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, (B) any Subsidiary commencing to constitute a Material Foreign Subsidiary or (C) any Restricted Subsidiary Guaranteeing any Specified Junior Financing Obligations, the BV Borrower shall, in each case at the BV Borrower’s expense; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 6.12 shall not apply to (x) any Subsidiary to the extent that such Subsidiary is prohibited by applicable local Laws from taking any such action, (y) any Subsidiary organized under the laws of the People’s Republic of China or (z) any Securitization Subsidiary:

(i) within thirty (30) days after such formation, acquisition, designation or Guarantee (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion):

(A) cause each such Restricted Subsidiary that is (x) a material Domestic Subsidiary, (y) a Material Foreign Subsidiary or (z) a Foreign Subsidiary that has Guaranteed any Specified Junior Financing Obligations to duly execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a Guaranty or guaranty supplement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, Guaranteeing the Obligations of (x) the BV Borrower and (y) in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary and solely to the extent such Foreign Subsidiary has Guaranteed any Specified Junior Financing Obligations of the US Borrower or any other Domestic Subsidiary, the US Borrower, subject, in the case of clauses (y)  and (z) , to any limitations required by local Law;

(B) cause each such Restricted Subsidiary that is required to become a Guarantor pursuant to Section 6.12(a)(i)(A) to furnish to the Administrative Agent a description of any Material Real Property owned by such Restricted Subsidiary in detail reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

(C) cause each such Restricted Subsidiary that is required to become a Guarantor pursuant to Section 6.12(a)(i)(A) , to duly execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent Mortgages with respect to Material Real Property, Security Agreement Supplements, Intellectual Property Security Agreements and other Collateral Documents, as specified by, and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the

 

Credit Agreement

104


Administrative Agent (consistent with the Mortgages, Security Agreements, Intellectual Property Security Agreement and other Collateral Documents in effect on the Closing Date), granting a Lien in substantially all personal property of such Restricted Subsidiary that constitutes Collateral and all Material Real Property, in each case securing the Obligations of such Restricted Subsidiary under its Guaranty;

(D) cause each such Restricted Subsidiary that is required to become a Guarantor pursuant to Section 6.12(a)(i)(A) to deliver any and all certificates representing Equity Interests owned by such Restricted Subsidiary or, if applicable in the case of Equity Interests of Foreign Subsidiaries, cause the legal representative(s) of such Restricted Subsidiary to register the transfer of the Equity Interests in the relevant share registers of such Restricted Subsidiary, in each applicable case accompanied by undated stock powers or other appropriate instruments of transfer executed in blank and instruments, if any, evidencing the intercompany debt held by such Restricted Subsidiary, if any, indorsed in blank to the Administrative Agent or accompanied by other appropriate instruments of transfer;

(E) take and cause such Restricted Subsidiary to take whatever action (including the recording of Mortgages with respect to Material Real Property, the filing of Uniform Commercial Code financing statements (or comparable documents or instruments under other applicable Law), and delivery of certificates evidencing stock and membership interests) as may be necessary in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent to vest in the Administrative Agent (or in any representative of the Administrative Agent designated by it) valid and subsisting Liens on the properties purported to be subject to the Mortgages and the other Collateral Documents delivered pursuant to this Section 6.12 , enforceable against all third parties in accordance with their terms,

(ii) within thirty (30) days after the reasonable request therefor by the Administrative Agent, deliver to the Administrative Agent a signed copy of a customary legal opinion, addressed to the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, of counsel for the Loan Parties reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent as to such matters set forth in this Section 6.12(a) as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, and

(iii) as promptly as practicable after the request therefor by the Administrative Agent, deliver to the Administrative Agent with respect to Material Real Property owned by such Restricted Subsidiary that is the subject of such request, title reports in scope, form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and, to the extent available, surveys and environmental assessment reports.

It is understood and agreed that (i) no Foreign Subsidiary shall be obligated to guarantee the Obligations of the US Borrower (unless such Foreign Subsidiary is a guarantor of any Specified Junior Financing Obligations of the US Borrower or any other Domestic Subsidiary), (ii) no more than 65% of the voting Equity Interests of any Foreign Subsidiary or any Subsidiary that is a disregarded entity for United States federal income tax purposes and the assets substantially all of which consist of the Equity Interests of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries shall be required to be pledged to directly or indirectly to support the Obligations of the US Borrower (except to the extent pledged to support obligations under any Specified Junior Financing Obligations of the US Borrower or any other Domestic Subsidiary) and (iii) no Equity Interests of any Foreign Subsidiary, any Subsidiary that is held directly by a Foreign Subsidiary or any Subsidiary that is a disregarded entity for United States federal income tax purposes and the assets substantially all of which consist of the Equity Interests of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries shall be

 

Credit Agreement

105


required to be pledged to support the Obligations of the US Borrower (except to the extent pledged to support obligations under any Specified Junior Financing Obligations of the US Borrower or any other Domestic Subsidiary).

(b) Upon the acquisition of (x) any personal property by any Loan Party that constitutes Collateral or (y) Material Real Property by any Loan Party, if such personal property shall not already be subject to a perfected Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, the relevant Borrower or Loan Party, as the case may be, shall give notice thereof to the Administrative Agent and shall, if requested by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders, cause such assets to be subjected to a Lien securing such Loan Party’s Obligations and will take, or cause the relevant Loan Party to take, such actions as shall be necessary or reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to grant and perfect (if and to the extent required to be perfected under the Security Agreement) or record such Lien, including, as the case may be, the applicable actions referred to in Section 6.12(a) and Section 6.14(b) .

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) with respect to this Section 6.12 and Section 6.19 , the Administrative Agent shall not take a security interest in or require any title insurance or similar items with respect to those assets as to which the Administrative Agent shall determine, in its reasonable discretion, that the cost of obtaining such Lien (including any mortgage, stamp, intangibles or other tax, title insurance or similar items) is excessive in relation to the benefit to the Lenders of the security afforded thereby and (y) Liens required to be granted pursuant to this Section 6.12 shall be subject to exceptions and limitations consistent with those set forth in the Collateral Documents as in effect on the Closing Date (to the extent appropriate in the applicable jurisdiction).

SECTION 6.13. Compliance with Environmental Laws . Except, in each case, to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) comply, and take all reasonable actions to cause all lessees and other Persons operating or occupying its properties to comply with all applicable Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits; (ii) obtain and renew all Environmental Permits as necessary for its operations and properties; and (iii) in each case to the extent required by Environmental Laws, conduct any investigation, study, sampling and testing, and undertake any cleanup, removal, remedial or other action necessary to remove and clean up Hazardous Materials from any of its properties, in accordance with the requirements of all Environmental Laws.

SECTION 6.14. Further Assurances . (a) Promptly upon reasonable request by the Administrative Agent, (i) correct any material defect or error that may be discovered in the execution, acknowledgment, filing or recordation of any Loan Document or other document or instrument relating to any Collateral, (ii) do, execute, acknowledge, deliver, record, re-record, file, re-file, register and re-register any and all such further acts, deeds, certificates, assurances and other instruments as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require from time to time in order to carry out more effectively the purposes of the Loan Documents (including, without limitation, the Collateral Documents), and (iii) with respect to any property subject to a Mortgage in Japan, periodically amend the secured amount set forth in such Mortgage to an amount not greater than 135% of the value of the property secured by such Mortgage and pay any and all taxes or additional registration fees with respect to such periodic amendments.

(b) Promptly following the delivery of each Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 6.02(b) , execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an appropriate Intellectual Property Security Agreement with respect to all After-Acquired Intellectual Property (as defined in the Security Agreement)

 

Credit Agreement

106


that is Collateral and that is Material Intellectual Property owned by it as of the last day of the period for which such Compliance Certificate is delivered, to the extent that such After-Acquired Intellectual Property that is Material Intellectual Property is not covered by any previous Intellectual Property Security Agreement so signed and delivered by it. In each case, each Borrower will, and will cause each Guarantor to, promptly cooperate as reasonably necessary to enable the Administrative Agent to make any reasonably necessary recordations with the US Copyright Office or the US Patent and Trademark Office, as appropriate, with respect to such Material Intellectual Property.

SECTION 6.15. Designation of Subsidiaries . The board of directors of the BV Borrower may at any time designate any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (a) immediately before and after such designation, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (b) immediately after giving effect to such designation, the Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio as of the date of the most recent financial statements which have been delivered pursuant to Section 6.01 , on a Pro Forma Basis, shall not exceed 5.0:1.0 and (d) no Subsidiary may be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if it is a “Restricted Subsidiary” for the purpose of any Junior Financing. The designation of any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall constitute an Investment by BV Borrower or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary (as applicable) therein at the date of designation in an amount equal to the net book value of such Person’s (as applicable) investment therein. The designation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary shall constitute the incurrence at the time of designation of any Indebtedness or Liens of such Subsidiary existing at such time.

SECTION 6.16. Maintenance of Ratings . Use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain a rating of the Facilities by each of S&P and Moody’s.

SECTION 6.17. Junior Financing Documentation . (a) Cause each Loan Party to take any and all actions deemed reasonably necessary so that the Obligations of such Loan Parties under the Loan Documents shall be and at all times remain “Senior Indebtedness” (or any comparable term), “Designated Senior Indebtedness” (or any comparable term) or “Senior Secured Financing” (or any comparable term) under any Junior Financing Documentation and (b) cause each Loan Party to take any and all actions deemed reasonably necessary so that the subordination provisions set forth in any Junior Financing Documentation, shall be and at all times remain (until the termination of all obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations not then due and payable) of such Loan Party thereunder) effective, legally valid, binding and enforceable against the holders of any Junior Financing, if applicable, in accordance with the terms thereof, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivorship, moratorium or other Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law).

SECTION 6.18. Certain Tax Matters . The BV Borrower will not book the Loans through a US branch within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.884-4(b)(1)(i)(A) and will not specifically identify the Loans as a liability of a US trade or business within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.884-4(b)(1)(ii).

SECTION 6.19. Post-Closing Covenant . Within 120 days after the Closing Date (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion) and subject to Section 6.12(c) ,

 

Credit Agreement

107


the Administrative Agent shall have received the following, each of which shall be originals or facsimiles or pdf electronic copies (followed promptly by originals) unless otherwise specified:

(a) the Foreign Security Agreements, each properly executed by a Responsible Officer of the signing Loan Party, and each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, together with, if applicable:

(i) certificates representing the Pledged Equity referred to therein, accompanied by undated stock powers executed in blank or, if applicable, other appropriate instruments of transfer and instruments evidencing the Pledged Debt, if any, indorsed in blank, and

(ii) copies of all searches with respect to the Collateral, together with copies of the financing statements (or similar documents) disclosed by such searches to the extent available, and accompanied by evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that the Liens indicated in any such financing statement (or similar document) would be permitted by Section 7.01 or have been or contemporaneously will be released or terminated or otherwise provided for in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; and

(b) an opinion of each of (A) Creel, Garcia-Cuellar y Muggenburg, S.C., special Mexico counsel to the Loan Parties, (B) Bae, Kim & Lee, special Korea counsel to the Loan Parties, (C) O’Melveny & Myers, Tokyo Office, special Japan counsel to the Loan Parties and (D) Azim, Tunku Farik & Wong, special Malaysia counsel to the Loan Parties, each addressed to each Agent and each Lender and each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

ARTICLE 7

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

So long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, any Loan or other Obligation (other than contingent indemnification obligations not then due and payable) hereunder which is accrued and payable shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, or any Letter of Credit that has not been collateralized in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the applicable L/C Issuer shall remain outstanding, the Loan Parties shall not, nor shall the BV Borrower permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

SECTION 7.01. Liens . Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property, assets or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than the following:

(a) Liens pursuant to any Loan Document and Liens securing other Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 2.14 ;

(b) Liens existing on the Closing Date and listed on Schedule 7.01(b) and any modifications, replacements, renewals or extensions thereof; provided that (i) the Lien does not extend to any additional property other than (A) after-acquired property that is affixed or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien or financed by Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.03(b)(ii) , and (B) proceeds and products thereof, and (ii) the modification, replacement, renewal, extension or refinancing of the obligations secured or benefited by such Liens (if such obligations constitute Indebtedness) is permitted by Section 7.03 ;

 

Credit Agreement

108


(c) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges which are not overdue for a period of more than sixty (60) days or, if more than sixty (60) days overdue (i) which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate actions diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP or the equivalent accounting principles in the relevant local jurisdiction or (ii) with respect to which the failure to make payment could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(d) statutory Liens of landlords, carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen, repairmen, construction contractors or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business which secure amounts not overdue for a period of more than sixty (60) days or, if more than sixty (60) days overdue (i) no action has been taken to enforce such Lien, (ii) such Lien is being contested in good faith and by appropriate actions diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP or the equivalent accounting principles in the relevant local jurisdiction or (iii) with respect to which the failure to make payment could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(e)(i) pledges or deposits in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation, (ii) pledges and deposits in the ordinary course of business securing insurance premiums or reimbursement obligations under insurance policies, in each case payable to insurance carriers that provide insurance to the BV Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (iii) obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees that have been posted by the Borrower Parties or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to support the payments of the items set forth in clauses (i)  and (ii)  of this Section 7.01(e) .

(f)(i) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, governmental contracts and leases (other than Indebtedness for borrowed money), statutory obligations, surety, stay, customs and appeal bonds, performance bonds, performance and completion guarantees and other obligations of a like nature (including those to secure health, safety and environmental obligations) incurred in the ordinary course of business and (ii) obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees that have been posted to support payment of the items set forth in clause (i)  of this Section 7.01(f) ;

(g) easements, rights-of-way, covenants, conditions, restrictions, encroachments, protrusions and other similar encumbrances and minor title defects or matters that would be disclosed in an accurate survey affecting real property which, in the aggregate, do not in any case materially and adversely interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the applicable Person;

(h) Liens securing judgments for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.01(h) ;

(i) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.03(b)(ii) ; provided that (i) such Liens attach concurrently with or within two hundred and seventy (270) days after the acquisition, repair, replacement, construction or improvement (as applicable) of the property subject to such Liens and (ii) such Liens do not at any time encumber any property except for accessions to such property other than the property financed by such Indebtedness and the proceeds and the products thereof; provided that individual financings of equipment provided by one lender may be cross collateralized to other financings of equipment provided by such lender;

(j)(i) leases, licenses, subleases or sublicenses granted to other Persons in the ordinary course of business which do not (A) interfere in any material respect with the business of any Borrower or any other Loan Party or (B) secure any Indebtedness for borrowed money or (ii) the rights reserved or vested in any Person by the terms of any lease, license, franchise, grant or permit held by any Borrower or

 

Credit Agreement

109


any of the Restricted Subsidiaries or by a statutory provision, to terminate any such lease, license, franchise, grant or permit, or to require annual or periodic payments as a condition to the continuance thereof;

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

(l) Liens (i) of a collection bank arising under Section 4-210 of the Uniform Commercial Code on items in the course of collection, (ii) attaching to commodity trading accounts or other commodities brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business or (iii) in favor of a banking institution arising as a matter of law encumbering deposits (including the right of set-off) and which are within the general parameters customary in the banking industry;

(m) Liens (i) (A) on advances of cash or Cash Equivalents in favor of the seller of any property to be acquired in an Investment permitted pursuant to Section 7.02(f) , Section 7.02(i) or Section 7.02(m) to be applied against the purchase price for such Investment and (B) consisting of an agreement to Dispose of any property in a Disposition permitted under Section 7.05 , in each case under this clause (i) , solely to the extent such Investment or Disposition, as the case may be, would have been permitted on the date of the creation of such Lien and (ii) on earnest money deposits of cash or Cash Equivalents made by any Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement permitted hereunder;

(n) Liens on property of any Foreign Subsidiary securing Indebtedness of such Foreign Subsidiary permitted under Section 7.03(c)(iv) ;

(o) Liens in favor of a Borrower, a Loan Party or a Restricted Subsidiary securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.03(b)(v) , Section 7.03(c)(iv) and Section 7.03(c)(v) ;

(p) Liens existing on property at the time of its acquisition or existing on the property of any Person at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, in each case after the date hereof (other than Liens on the Equity Interests of any Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary) and any modifications, replacements, renewals or extensions thereof; provided that (i) such Lien was not created in contemplation of such acquisition or such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) such Lien does not extend to or cover any other assets or property (other than the proceeds or products thereof and after-acquired property subjected to a Lien pursuant to terms existing at the time of such acquisition, it being understood that such requirement shall not be permitted to apply to any property to which such requirement would not have applied but for such acquisition), and (iii) the Indebtedness secured thereby (or, as applicable, any modifications, replacements, renewals or extension thereof) is permitted under Section 7.03 ;

(q) Liens arising from precautionary Uniform Commercial Code financing statement filings (or similar filings under other applicable Law) regarding leases entered into by any Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(r) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for sale of goods entered into by any Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and not prohibited by this Agreement;

(s) Permitted Encumbrances;

 

Credit Agreement

110


(t) other Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations permitted under this Agreement and outstanding in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $150,000,000;

(u) Liens that are contractual rights of set-off (i) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks not given in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness, (ii) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of any Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of the BV Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries or (iii) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of any Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

(v) any interest or title of a licensor, sublicensor, lessor or sublessor under any license or operating or true lease agreement;

(w) Liens on securities which are the subject of repurchase agreements incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(x) ground leases in respect of real property on which facilities owned or leased by the BV Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries are located;

(y) Liens arising by operation of law under Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code in favor of a reclaiming seller of goods or buyer of goods;

(z) security given to a public or private utility or any Governmental Authority as required in the ordinary course of business;

(aa) Liens in the nature of the right of setoff in favor of counterparties to contractual agreements with the Loan Parties in the ordinary course of business;

(bb) any exclusive or non-exclusive licenses granted under any IP Rights that do not secure or is not granted in connection with incurrence of Indebtedness;

(cc) Liens on Securitization Assets and related assets of the type specified in the definition of “Securitization Financing” incurred in connection with any Qualified Securitization Financing and Liens arising from precautionary UCC filings regarding the sale of Securitization Assets and related assets of the type specified in the definition of “Securitization Financing” by the BV Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with any Qualified Securitization Financing;

(dd) Liens securing Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt and Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt; and

(ee) to the extent not waived by a bank pursuant to the relevant Dutch Security Document, any Lien or set-off arrangements entered into by the BV Borrower or any Dutch Subsidiary in the ordinary course of its banking arrangements which arise from the general banking conditions ( algemene bankvoorwaarden ).

SECTION 7.02. Investments . Make or hold any Investments, except:

(a) Investments by Parent, any Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in assets that were Cash Equivalents when such Investment was made;

 

Credit Agreement

111


(b) loans or advances to officers, directors, members of management, and employees of Parent, any Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (i) in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000,000 at any time outstanding, for business-related travel, entertainment, relocation and analogous ordinary business purposes, or (ii) in connection with such Person’s purchase of Equity Interests of Ultimate Parent in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000,000 at any time outstanding (determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs of such loans or advances);

(c) Investments (i) by any Loan Party in any other Loan Party, (ii) by any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in any Loan Party or in any other Restricted Subsidiary that is also not a Loan Party or (iii) by Loan Parties in any Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties in an aggregate amount not to exceed $100,000,000 at any time outstanding (in the case of clause (iii) , determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs of such Investments);

(d) Investments consisting of extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or notes receivable arising from the grant of trade credit in the ordinary course of business, Investments received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors and other credits to suppliers in the ordinary course of business, and Investments consisting of Guarantees of any supplier’s obligations in respect of commodity contracts, including Swap Contracts, solely to the extent such commodities related to the materials or products to be purchased by the Borrower Parties;

(e) Investments consisting of Liens, Indebtedness, fundamental changes, Dispositions, Restricted Payments and Capital Expenditures permitted by Section 7.01 , Section 7.03 , Section 7.04 , Section 7.05 , Section 7.06 and Section 7.14 , respectively;

(f) Investments existing or contemplated on the date hereof and set forth on Schedule 7.02(f) and any modification, replacement, renewal or extension thereof; provided that the amount of the original Investment is not increased except by the terms of such Investment or as otherwise permitted by this Section 7.02 ;

(g) Investments in Swap Contracts permitted by Section 7.03 ;

(h) promissory notes and other noncash consideration received in connection with Dispositions permitted by Section 7.05 ;

(i) the purchase or other acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets or business of, any Person, or of assets constituting a business unit, a line of business or division of, such Person, or of all of the Equity Interests (other than directors’ qualifying shares) in a Person that, upon the consummation thereof, will be owned directly by a Borrower or one or more of their respective wholly owned Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, as a result of a merger or consolidation); provided that, with respect to each such purchase or other acquisition made pursuant to this Section 7.02(i) (each of the foregoing, a “ Permitted Acquisition ”):

(A) each applicable Loan Party and any such newly created or acquired Subsidiary shall, or will within the times specified therein, have complied with the applicable requirements of Section 6.12 ;

(B) (1) immediately before and immediately after giving Pro Forma Effect to any such purchase or other acquisition, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (2) immediately after giving effect to such purchase or other acquisition, the Total Leverage Ratio as of the date of the most recent financial statements which have been delivered pursuant to Section 6.01 , on a Pro Forma Basis, shall not exceed

 

Credit Agreement

112


6.25:1.0 and such compliance shall be evidenced by a certificate from the Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer (or other equivalent officer) of the BV Borrower demonstrating such compliance calculation in reasonable detail; and

(C) the BV Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, no later than five (5) Business Days after the date on which any such purchase or other acquisition is consummated, a certificate of a Responsible Officer, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, certifying that all of the requirements set forth in this Section 7.02(i) have been satisfied or will be satisfied (x) with respect to clause (A), within the times specified on Section 6.12 (as the same may be extended in accordance therewith) and (y) with respect to clause (B), on or prior to the consummation of such purchase or other acquisition.

(j) Investments in the ordinary course of business consisting of (i) indorsements for collection or deposit or (ii) customary trade arrangements with customers;

(k) Investments (including debt obligations and Equity Interests) received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of any Person and in settlement of obligations of, or disputes with, any Person arising in the ordinary course of business and upon foreclosure with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment;

(l) loans and advances to Parent in lieu of, and not in excess of the amount of (after giving effect to any other loans, advances or Restricted Payments in respect thereof), Restricted Payments permitted to be made to Parent in accordance with Section 7.06 ;

(m) so long as immediately after giving effect to any such Investment, no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, other Investments that do not exceed $40,000,000 in any fiscal year (such amount to be increased to (A) $50,000,000, if the Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio as of the last day for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 6.01 was less than 2.0:1.0 and (B) $60,000,000 if the Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio as of the last day of the immediately preceding four fiscal quarters was less than 1.5:1.0) (such applicable amount, the “ Permitted Other Investment Amount ”); provided that the Permitted Other Investment Amount may be increased by (x) the amount of any Eligible Equity Proceeds which are Not Otherwise Applied, (y) if the Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio-based tests referred to in clause (A)  or (B)  of the first parenthetical above in this clause (m)  shall have been satisfied, an amount equal to 100% of the Available Amount and (z) the sum of the Rollover Amounts for the two preceding fiscal years, to the extent that such Rollover Amounts shall not have been used to make Capital Expenditures pursuant to Section 7.14 ( provided that the BV Borrower shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent of any application of any Rollover Amount or pursuant to this clause (m) ); provided further that (1) to the extent the aggregate amount of Investments made pursuant to this clause (m)  in any fiscal year is less than the Permitted Other Investment Amount, the amount of such difference may be carried forward and used to make Investments pursuant to this clause (m)  in the two immediately succeeding fiscal years and (2) for any fiscal year, the amount of Investments that would otherwise be permitted in such fiscal year pursuant to this clause (m)  may be increased by an amount not to exceed the Permitted Other Investment Amount (any amount so utilized, the “ Investment Pull-Forward Amount ”) ( provided that the Investment Pull-Forward Amount in respect of any fiscal year shall reduce, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, the Permitted Other Investment Amount in respect of the immediately succeeding fiscal year);

(n) advances of payroll payments to employees in the ordinary course of business;

 

Credit Agreement

113


(o) Guarantees by any Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of leases (other than Capitalized Leases), contracts, or of other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness, in each case entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(p) Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries; provided that (i) immediately after giving effect to any such Investment, the fair market value of the assets of the applicable Unrestricted Subsidiary, when aggregated with the fair market value of the assets of all other Unrestricted Subsidiaries, shall not exceed $25,000,000 and (ii) no Default has occurred and is continuing or will occur and be continuing immediately after giving effect to any such Investment;

(q) any Investment in a Securitization Subsidiary or any Investment by a Securitization Subsidiary in any other Person in connection with a Qualified Securitization Financing, including, without limitation, Investments of funds held in accounts permitted or required by the arrangements governing such Qualified Securitization Financing or any related Indebtedness;

(s) Investments consisting of promissory notes issued by any Loan Party to future, present or former officers, directors and employees, members of management, or consultants of the BV Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective estates, spouses or former spouses to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of the Ultimate Parent, to the extent the applicable Restricted Payment is permitted by Section 7.06 ;

(t) earnest money required in connection with Permitted Acquisitions;

(u) Investments consisting of loans and advances to the Parent and its Subsidiaries in connection with the reimbursement of expenses incurred on behalf of the Loan Parties in the ordinary course of business;

(v) capitalization or forgiveness of any Indebtedness owed to any Loan Parties by any other Loan Parties;

(w) Investments to the extent the consideration paid therefor consists solely of Equity Interests of the Parent;

(x) Investments constituting any part of the Permitted Reorganization; and

(y) Investments consisting of any guarantee granted pursuant to a declaration of joint and several liability used for the purpose of Section 2:403 of the Dutch Civil Code (and any residual liability under such declaration arising pursuant to section 2:404(2) of the Dutch Civil Code).

SECTION 7.03. Indebtedness . Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:

(a) Indebtedness evidenced by the Senior Notes and any Permitted Refinancing thereof (which may be incurred by any Borrower, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the definition of the term Permitted Refinancing);

(b) In the case of any Loan Party:

(i) Indebtedness of the Loan Parties under the Loan Documents and other Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 2.14 ;

 

Credit Agreement

114


(ii) Attributable Indebtedness and purchase money obligations (including obligations in respect of mortgage, industrial revenue bond, industrial development bond, and similar financings) to finance the purchase, repair or improvement of fixed or capital assets within the limitations set forth in Section 7.01(i) and any Permitted Refinancing thereof; provided that the aggregate amount of all such Indebtedness at any one time outstanding shall not exceed $50,000,000;

(iii) (A) Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount for all Loan Parties not to exceed $150,000,000 at any time outstanding; provided that the Loan Parties may incur additional Indebtedness pursuant to this Section 7.03(b)(iii) so long as after giving effect thereto the Total Leverage Ratio shall not exceed 6.25:1.0 and (B) Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness for all Loan Parties (1) in an aggregate amount not to exceed $200,000,000 and (2) in an aggregate amount in excess of $200,000,000, solely to the extent that the full amount of Net Cash Proceeds of any such Indebtedness in excess of $200,000,000 is applied to prepay Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.05(b)(v) ;

(iv) (A) Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness incurred to finance Permitted Acquisitions, and, upon notice to the Administrative Agent of its intention to do so upon receipt of the proceeds thereof, such Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness may be incurred up to 180 days prior to the consummation of any such Permitted Acquisition so long as the Net Cash Proceeds of such Indebtedness are utilized within 180 days of the incurrence thereof to finance such Permitted Acquisition (or if not so utilized within such time period and not otherwise permitted under this Section 7.03 , solely to the extent the Net Cash Proceeds of such Indebtedness are applied to prepay Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.05(b)(v) ), (B) Indebtedness assumed in connection with any Permitted Acquisition; provided that such Indebtedness is not incurred in contemplation of such Permitted Acquisition, or (C) Indebtedness owed to the seller of any property acquired in a Permitted Acquisition on an unsecured subordinated basis, which subordination shall be on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, in each case under this clause (iv), so long as both immediately prior and after giving effect thereto (x) no Event of Default shall exist or result therefrom, and (y) the Total Leverage Ratio as of the last day for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 6.01 , after giving Pro Forma Effect to such Permitted Acquisition and the assumption, incurrence or issuance of such Indebtedness, and, in each case, any Permitted Refinancing thereof shall not exceed 6.25:1.0;

(v) Indebtedness of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party owing to any other Loan Party or any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in respect of an Investment permitted by Section 7.02 ; provided that all such Indebtedness of any Loan Party owed to any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party must be expressly subordinated to the Obligations of such Loan Party, it being understood that such Loan Party may make payments thereon prior to the occurrence (but not during the continuance) of an Event of Default;

(vi) Indebtedness consisting of promissory notes issued by any Loan Party to future, present or former officers, directors and employees, members of management, or consultants of the BV Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective estates, spouses or former spouses to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of the Ultimate Parent, to the extent the applicable Restricted Payment is permitted by Section 7.06 ;

(c) In the case of the BV Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries:

 

Credit Agreement

115


(i) Existing Indebtedness outstanding on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 7.03(c)(i) and any Permitted Refinancing thereof;

(ii) Indebtedness in respect of Swap Contracts incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes and Guarantees of suppliers’ obligations permitted pursuant Section 7.02(d) ;

(iii) Guarantees by any Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of Indebtedness of any Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary otherwise permitted hereunder; provided that (A) no Guarantee by any Restricted Subsidiary of any Indebtedness constituting a Junior Financing shall be permitted unless such Restricted Subsidiary shall have also provided a Guarantee of the Obligations substantially on the terms set forth in the applicable Guaranty to the extent required by Section 6.12 and (B) if the Indebtedness being Guaranteed is subordinated to the Obligations, such Guarantee shall be subordinated to the Guarantee of the Obligations on terms at least as favorable to the Lenders as those contained in the subordination provisions of such Indebtedness;

(iv) Indebtedness of Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding for all such Persons taken together not exceeding $100,000,000;

(v) Indebtedness (other than for borrowed money) subject to Liens permitted under Section 7.01 ;

(vi) Indebtedness representing deferred compensation to employees of any Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(vii) Indebtedness incurred in a Permitted Acquisition or Disposition under agreements providing for indemnification, the adjustment of the purchase price or similar adjustments;

(viii) Indebtedness consisting of obligations of any Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary under deferred compensation or other similar arrangements incurred by such Person in connection with the Transactions and Permitted Acquisitions;

(ix) Cash Management Obligations and other Indebtedness in respect of netting services, overdraft protections and similar arrangements in each case in connection with cash management and deposit accounts;

(x) Indebtedness consisting of (A) the financing of insurance premiums or (B) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, in each case, in the ordinary course of business;

(xi) Indebtedness incurred by any Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business, including in respect of workers compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement-type obligations regarding workers compensation claims; provided that upon the drawing of such letters of credit or the incurrence of such Indebtedness, such obligations are reimbursed within 30 days following such drawing or incurrence;

 

Credit Agreement

116


(xii) obligations in respect of surety, stay, customs and appeal bonds, performance bonds and performance and completion guarantees provided by any Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or obligations in respect of letters of credit related thereto, in each case in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(xiii) Indebtedness in respect of any bankers’ acceptance, letter of credit, warehouse receipt or similar facilities entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(xiv) Attributable Indebtedness and Indebtedness incurred in connection with sale-leaseback transactions permitted under Section  7.05(f) ;

(xv) without duplication of any other Indebtedness, non-cash accruals of interest, accretion or amortization of original issue discount and/or pay-in-kind interest to the extent such Debt is permitted hereunder;

(xvi) Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries under lines of credit in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding for all such Persons taken together not to exceed $75,000,000;

(xvii) any joint and several liability arising as a result of (the establishment of) a fiscal unity ( fiscale eenheid ) and any guarantee granted pursuant to a declaration of joint and several liability used for the purpose of Section 2:403 of the Dutch Civil Code (and any residual liability under such declaration arising pursuant to section 2:404(2) of the Dutch Civil Code);

(xviii) Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness;

(xix) Indebtedness constituting part of the Permitted Reorganization

(xx) Indebtedness incurred by a Securitization Subsidiary in a Qualified Securitization Financing that is not recourse to the BV Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than a Securitization Subsidiary (except for Standard Securitization Undertakings) in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed $100,000,000; and

(xxi) all premiums (if any), interest (including post-petition interest), fees, expenses, charges and additional or contingent interest on obligations described in clauses (a)  through (xx) .

SECTION 7.04. Fundamental Changes . Merge, dissolve, liquidate, consolidate with or into another Person, except that:

(a) any Restricted Subsidiary may merge with or liquidate into (i) any Borrower (including a merger, the purpose of which is to reorganize any Borrower into a new jurisdiction so long as (x) the US Borrower remains organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and (y) the BV Borrower remains organized under the Laws of its current jurisdiction or the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia (the requirements set forth in this clause (y)  and the foregoing clause (x) , collectively, the “ Jurisdictional Requirements ”)); provided that such Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person or the continuing or surviving Person shall expressly assume the obligations of such Borrower in a manner reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, or (ii) any one or more other Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that when any

 

Credit Agreement

117


Restricted Subsidiary that is a Loan Party is merging with another Restricted Subsidiary, (A) a Loan Party shall be the continuing or surviving Person or (B) to the extent constituting an Investment, such Investment must be an Investment permitted by Section 7.02 and any Indebtedness corresponding to such Investment must be permitted by Section 7.03 ;

(b) (i) any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party may merge or consolidate with or into any other Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party and (ii) any Subsidiary (other than any Borrower) may liquidate or dissolve or change its legal form if the BV Borrower determines in good faith that such action is in the best interests of the business of the BV Borrower;

(c) so long as no Event of Default exists or would result therefrom, the BV Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary may merge with any other Person in order to (i) effect an Investment permitted pursuant to Section 7.02 ( provided that (A) the continuing or surviving Person shall be a Restricted Subsidiary, which together with each of its Restricted Subsidiaries, shall have complied with the requirements of Section 6.12 and (B) to the extent constituting an Investment, such Investment must be a permitted Investment in accordance with Section 7.02 ) or (ii) to effect the designation of a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with Section 6.15 ; provided that if any Borrower is a party to any transaction effected pursuant to this Section 7.04(c) , (1) such Borrower shall be the continuing and surviving Person or the continuing or surviving Person shall expressly assume the obligations of such Borrower in a manner reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and (2) the Jurisdictional Requirements shall be satisfied;

(d) the BV Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries may consummate the Permitted Reorganization; and

(e) so long as no Event of Default exists or would result therefrom, a merger, dissolution, liquidation or consolidation, the purpose of which is to effect a Disposition permitted pursuant to Section 7.05 , may be effected; provided that if any Borrower is a party to any transaction effected pursuant to this Section 7.04(e) , (i) such Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person or the continuing or surviving Person shall expressly assume the obligations of such Borrower in a manner reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and (ii) the Jurisdictional Requirements shall be satisfied.

SECTION 7.05. Dispositions . Make any Disposition except:

(a) Dispositions of obsolete, used, surplus or worn out property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, in the ordinary course of business and Dispositions of property no longer used or useful in the conduct of the business of the Borrowers and the Restricted Subsidiaries;

(b) Dispositions of inventory, cash and immaterial assets in the ordinary course of business;

(c) Dispositions of property to the extent that (i) such property is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement property or (ii) the proceeds of such Disposition are promptly applied to the purchase price of such replacement property;

(d) Dispositions of property by any Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to any Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary (including any such Disposition effected pursuant to a merger, liquidation or dissolution); provided that if the transferor of such property is a Guarantor or a Borrower (i)

 

Credit Agreement

118


the transferee thereof is either a Borrower or a Guarantor, (ii) the transferee is not a Loan Party and (A) the fair market values of such property is paid in cash or Cash Equivalents to such Borrower or Guarantor or (B) the aggregate fair value of such property that does not satisfy clause (A) doe not exceed $25,000,000 in any fiscal year plus the cumulative unused amounts under this clause (B) for all prior fiscal years since the Closing Date or (iii) to the extent such transaction constitutes an Investment, such transaction is permitted under Section 7.02 ;

(e) Dispositions permitted by Section 7.02 , Section 7.04 and Section 7.06 and Liens permitted by Section 7.01 ;

(f) Dispositions by any Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of property pursuant to sale-leaseback transactions; provided that (i) the fair market value of all property so Disposed of shall not exceed $80,000,000 from and after the Closing Date, (ii) the purchase price for such property shall be paid to the relevant Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary for not less than 75% cash consideration and (iii) all Net Cash Proceeds resulting from the Disposition pursuant to this Section 7.05(f) of Property with a fair market value in excess of $40,000,000 shall be applied to prepay Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.05(b)(i) ;

(g) Dispositions of Cash Equivalents;

(h) Dispositions of past due accounts receivable in connection with the collection, write down or compromise thereof;

(i) leases, subleases, or sublicenses of property, and Dispositions of IP Rights in the ordinary course of business, in each case that do not materially interfere with the business of the Borrowers and the Restricted Subsidiaries, and Dispositions of IP Rights under a research or development agreement in which the other party receives a license to IP Rights that result from such agreement;

(j) transfers of property subject to Casualty Events upon receipt of the Net Cash Proceeds of such Casualty Event;

(k) Dispositions of property by any Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise permitted under this Section 7.05 ; provided that (i) at the time of such Disposition, no Event of Default shall exist or would result from such Disposition, (ii) the Consolidated EBITDA generated by or attributable to all such property Disposed of in any fiscal year of the BV Borrower shall not exceed 10% of Consolidated EBITDA of the BV Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the cumulative period since the Closing Date (excluding any property disposed of in a Disposition or series of related Dispositions involving an aggregate fair market value of less than $5,000,000) and (iii) the sale price for such property (if in excess of $10,000,000) shall be paid to such Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary for not less than 75% cash consideration;

(l) Dispositions of Investments in Joint Ventures, to the extent required by, or made pursuant to buy/sell arrangements between the joint venture parties forth in, joint venture arrangements and similar binding arrangements in effect on the Closing Date; and

(m) Dispositions in the ordinary course of business consisting of the abandonment of IP Rights owned by each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries which, in the reasonable good faith determination of the BV Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, are uneconomical, negligible, obsolete or otherwise not material in the conduct of its business (it being understood and agreed that no Material Intellectual Property may be Disposed of in reliance on this clause (m) );

 

Credit Agreement

119


(n) Dispositions of all or substantially all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to any Borrower or to another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if the transferor in such a transaction is a Guarantor or a Borrower, then (i) the transferee must either be a Borrower or a Guarantor or (ii) to the extent constituting an Investment, such Investment must be an Investment permitted by Section 7.02 and any Indebtedness corresponding to such Investment must be permitted by Section 7.03 ;

(o) Dispositions of the Controls Business, provided that such Dispositions shall be for fair value and the payments received in respect thereof shall consist of at least 75% in cash and Cash Equivalents;

(p) sales of non-core assets acquired in connection with Permitted Acquisitions which are not used in the business of the Loan Parties;

(q) any disposition of real property to a Governmental Authority as a result of a condemnation of such real property;

(r) exclusive or non-exclusive licenses or similar agreements in respect of IP Rights;

(s) any sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of any assets, or any grant of any option or other right to purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any assets, by the BV Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, which constitutes part of the Permitted Reorganization;

(t) any sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of the property and assets set forth on Schedule 7.05(t) ;

(u) (x) sales of Securitization Assets and related assets of the type specified in the definition of “Securitization Financing” to a Securitization Subsidiary in connection with any Qualified Securitization Financing and (y) transfers of Securitization Assets and related assets of the type specified in the definition of “Securitization Financing” (or a fractional undivided interest therein) by a Securitization Subsidiary in a Qualified Securitization Financing;

provided that any Disposition of any property pursuant to this Section 7.05 (except pursuant to Sections 7.05(a) , (d) , (e) , (h) , (i) , (j) , (m) , (n), (o) , (p), (q), (s), (t) , and (u) ), shall be for not less than the fair market value of such property at the time of such Disposition. To the extent any Collateral is Disposed of as expressly permitted by this Section 7.05 to any Person other than a Loan Party, such Collateral shall be sold free and clear of the Liens created by the Loan Documents, and the Administrative Agent is hereby authorized by the Lenders to take any actions deemed appropriate in order to effect the foregoing.

SECTION 7.06. Restricted Payments . Declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, except:

(a) each Restricted Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to any Borrower and to other Restricted Subsidiaries (and, in the case of a Restricted Payment by a non-wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary, to (i) a Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary and (ii) to each other owner of Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary based on their relative ownership interests);

(b) the Borrowers and each Restricted Subsidiary may declare and make dividend payments or other distributions payable solely in the Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) of such Person;

 

Credit Agreement

120


(c) the Borrowers and the Restricted Subsidiaries may make Restricted Payments necessary to consummate the Transactions;

(d) to the extent constituting Restricted Payments, the Borrowers and the Restricted Subsidiaries may enter into transactions expressly permitted by Section 7.04 , Section 7.05 or Section 7.08 ;

(e) the BV Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries may make Restricted Payments to Parent:

(i) the proceeds of which will be used by the Parent for distribution to the Ultimate Parent to pay (or to make a Restricted Payment to enable it to pay) the tax liability for each relevant jurisdiction in respect of consolidated, combined, unitary or affiliated returns filed by or on behalf of the Ultimate Parent; provided that such proceeds are limited to the tax liability attributable to the BV Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries determined as if the BV Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries filed separately;

(ii) the proceeds of which shall be used by the Parent for distribution to the Ultimate Parent to pay (or to make a Restricted Payment to enable it to pay) the Ultimate Parent’s (or any Ultimate Parent Entity’s) operating expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business and other corporate overhead costs and expenses (including, without limitation, administrative, legal, accounting and similar expenses provided by third parties), which are reasonable and customary and incurred in the ordinary course of business, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000,000 in any fiscal year plus any reasonable and customary indemnification claims made by directors or officers of the Ultimate Parent (or any Ultimate Parent Entity) attributable to the ownership or operations of the Borrowers and the Restricted Subsidiaries;

(iii) the proceeds of which shall be used by the Parent for distribution to the Ultimate Parent to pay (or to make a Restricted Payment to enable it to pay) franchise taxes and other fees, taxes and expenses required to maintain the Ultimate Parent’s (or any Ultimate Parent Entity’s) corporate existence;

(iv) the proceeds of which will be used by the Parent for distribution to the Ultimate Parent to pay (or to make a Restricted Payment to enable it to pay) for the repurchase, retirement or other acquisition or retirement for value of Equity Interests of the Ultimate Parent held by any future, present or former employee, director, officer, member of management or consultant of the Ultimate Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (or the estate, family members, spouse or former spouse of any of the foregoing); provided that the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments made under this clause (e)(iv) does not exceed in any calendar year $15,000,000 (with unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to succeeding calendar years); and provided further that such amount in any calendar year may be increased by an amount not to exceed (1) the cash proceeds from the sale of Equity Interests to employees, directors, officers, members of management or consultants of the Ultimate Parent or of its Subsidiaries that occurs after the Closing Date to the extent such proceeds constitute Eligible Equity Proceeds plus (2) the amount of any cash bonuses otherwise payable to employees, directors, officers, members of management or consultants of the Ultimate Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (or the estate, family members, spouse or former spouse of any of the foregoing) in connection with the Transactions that are foregone in return for the receipt of Equity Interests of the Ultimate Parent pursuant to a deferred compensation plan of such Person plus (3) the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Ultimate Parent (to the extent such proceeds are contributed to the BV Borrower) or any Borrower or

 

Credit Agreement

121


any Restricted Subsidiary after the Closing Date ( provided that the BV Borrower may elect to apply all or any portion of the aggregate increase contemplated by clauses (1) , (2)  and (3)  above in any calendar year) less (4) the amount of any Restricted Payments previously made pursuant to clauses (1) , (2)  and (3)  of this clause (e)(iv) ;

(v) to finance any Investment permitted to be made pursuant to Section 7.02 ; provided that (A) such Restricted Payment shall be made substantially concurrently with the closing or consummation of such Investment or at future times as may be scheduled at the time of such closing or consummation to be made thereafter in connection therewith and (B) the Ultimate Parent shall, immediately following the closing or consummation thereof, cause or have caused (1) all property acquired (whether assets or Equity Interests) to be contributed to a Borrower or a Loan Party (or a Person that will become a Loan Party upon receipt of such contribution) or (2) the merger (to the extent permitted in Section 7.04 ) of the Person formed or acquired into a Borrower or a Loan Party in order to consummate such Permitted Acquisition, in each case, in accordance with the requirements of Section 6.12 ;

(vi) the proceeds of which shall be used by the Parent for distribution to the Ultimate Parent to make (or to make a Restricted Payment to enable it to make) cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares in connection with the exercise of warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Equity Interests of the Ultimate Parent; provided that any such cash payment shall not be for the purpose of evading the limitations set forth in this Section 7.06 (as determined in good faith by the board of directors or the managing board, as the case may be, of the BV Borrower (or any authorized committee thereof));

(vii) the proceeds of which shall be used by the Parent for distribution to the Ultimate Parent to pay (or to make a Restricted Payment to enable it to pay) fees and expenses (other than to Affiliates) related to any unsuccessful equity or debt offering permitted by this Agreement;

(viii) the proceeds of which shall be used by the Parent for distribution to the Ultimate Parent to pay (or to make a Restricted Payment to enable it to pay) customary salary, bonus and other benefits payable to officers and employees of the Ultimate Parent to the extent such salaries, bonuses and other benefits are directly attributable to the ownership or operations of the Borrowers and the Restricted Subsidiaries; and

(ix) the proceeds of which shall be used by the Parent for distribution to the Ultimate Parent to pay (or to make a Restricted Payment to enable it to pay) amounts owing pursuant to the Sponsor Management Agreement, the Shareholders Agreement or other amounts of the type described in Section 7.08(d) , Section 7.08(h) or Section 7.08(j) , in each case to the extent the applicable payment would be permitted under the applicable clause in Section 7.08 if such payment were to be made by a Borrower Party;

(f) so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, in addition to the foregoing Restricted Payments, the Ultimate Parent, the Parent, the Borrowers and the Restricted Subsidiaries may make additional Restricted Payments to their respective shareholders in an aggregate amount not to exceed $40,000,000 in any calendar year (such amount to be increased to (A) $50,000,000 in any calendar year if the Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio as of the last day for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 6.01 was less than 2.0:1 and (B) $60,000,000 in any calendar year if the Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio as of the last day for

 

Credit Agreement

122


which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 6.01 was less than 1.5:1.0) (in each case, with unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to succeeding calendar years); and

(g) so long as (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom and (ii) the Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio as of the last day for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 6.01 was less than 2.0:1.0 (determined on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to any Restricted Payment to be made pursuant to this Section 7.06(g) ), in addition to the foregoing Restricted Payments, the Ultimate Parent, the Parent, the Borrowers and the Restricted Subsidiaries may make additional Restricted Payments to their respective shareholders in an amount not to exceed the Available Amount as in effect immediately prior to the time of the making of such Restricted Payment;

(h) any Restricted Subsidiary of the BV Borrower may declare or pay any dividends, purchase, redeem, retire, defease or otherwise acquire for value any of its Equity Interests now or hereafter outstanding, return any capital to its stockholders, partners or members (or the equivalent Persons thereof) as such, make any distribution of assets, Equity Interests, obligations or securities to its stockholders, partners or members (or the equivalent Persons thereof) as such, to the extent that the foregoing constitute part of the Permitted Reorganization; and

(i) Restricted Payments in respect of any guarantee granted pursuant to a declaration of joint and several liability used for the purpose of Section 2:403 of the Dutch Civil Code (and any residual liability under such declaration arising pursuant to section 2:404(2) of the Dutch Civil Code).

SECTION 7.07. Change in Nature of Business . Engage in any material line of business substantially different from those lines of business conducted by the Borrowers and the Restricted Subsidiaries on the date hereof or any business reasonably related, supportive, complementary or ancillary thereto.

SECTION 7.08. Transactions with Affiliates . Enter into any transaction of any kind with any Affiliate of the Borrowers, whether or not in the ordinary course of business, other than (a) transactions among Loan Parties or any entity that becomes a Loan Party as a result of such transaction, (b) on fair and reasonable terms substantially as favorable to the relevant Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary as would be obtainable by such Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person other than an Affiliate, (c) the payment of fees, costs and expenses in connection with the consummation of the Transactions, (d) loans and other transactions by the Borrowers and the Subsidiaries to the extent not prohibited by this Agreement, (e) entering into employment and severance arrangements between Parent, the Borrowers and the Restricted Subsidiaries and their respective officers and employees, as determined in good faith by the board of directors or senior management of the relevant Person, (f) payments by the Borrowers and the Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the tax sharing agreements among Parent, the Borrowers and the Restricted Subsidiaries on customary terms to the extent attributable to the ownership or operations of the Borrowers and the Subsidiaries, (g) the payment of customary fees and reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket costs of, and customary indemnities provided to or on behalf of, directors, officers and employees of Parent, the Borrowers and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business or the Sponsor or to its Affiliates, to the extent attributable to the ownership or operations of the Borrowers and the Restricted Subsidiaries, as determined in good faith by the board of directors or senior management of the relevant Person, (h) the payment of fees, expenses, indemnities or other payments pursuant to the Shareholders Agreement as such fee and indemnity provisions are set forth in the Shareholders Agreement as in effect on the Closing Date, (i) transactions pursuant to the other

 

Credit Agreement

123


permitted agreements in existence on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 7.08 or any amendment thereto to the extent such an amendment is not adverse to the Lenders in any material respect, (j) Restricted Payments permitted under Section 7.06 , (k) payments by the Borrowers and the Restricted Subsidiaries to the Sponsor made for any customary financial advisory, financing, underwriting or placement services or in respect of other investment banking activities, including in connection with acquisitions, financings or divestitures, which payments are approved by the board of directors of the BV Borrower in good faith, (l) payment of reasonable compensation to officers and employees for services actually rendered to any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, (m) stock option and compensation plans of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, (n) advances and loans to officers, directors, members of management and employees of Parent, any Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to the extent specifically permitted under Section 7.02(b) , (o) Investments consisting of promissory notes issued by any Loan Party to future, present or former officers, directors and employees, members of management, or consultants of the BV Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective estates, spouses or former spouses to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of the Ultimate Parent, to the extent the applicable Restricted Payment is permitted by Section 7.06 , (p) any transaction with a Securitization Subsidiary effected as part of a Qualified Securitization Financing and (q) other transactions specifically permitted under this Agreement (including, without limitation, sale/leaseback transactions, Dispositions, Investments, Indebtedness and the Permitted Reorganization).

SECTION 7.09. Burdensome Agreements . Enter into or permit to exist any Contractual Obligation (other than this Agreement or any other Loan Document, the Senior Note Indenture or customary terms in any documentation providing for any Permitted Refinancing thereof) that limits the ability of (a) any Restricted Subsidiary to make Restricted Payments to any Borrower or any Guarantor or to otherwise transfer property to or invest in any Borrower or any Guarantor, or (b) any Borrower or any Loan Party to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist Liens on property of such Person for the benefit of the Secured Parties with respect to the Facilities and the Obligations or under the Loan Documents; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to Contractual Obligations which (i) (x) arise under applicable law, (y) exist on the date hereof and (to the extent not otherwise permitted by this Section 7.09 ) are listed on Schedule 7.09 hereto or (z) to the extent Contractual Obligations permitted by clause (y)  are set forth in an agreement evidencing Indebtedness, are set forth in any agreement evidencing any permitted renewal, extension or refinancing of such Indebtedness so long as such renewal, extension or refinancing does not expand the scope of the restrictions described in clause (a)  or (b)  that are contained in such Contractual Obligation, (ii) are binding on a Restricted Subsidiary at the time such Restricted Subsidiary first becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the BV Borrower, so long as such Contractual Obligations were not entered into in contemplation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of the BV Borrower, (iii) represent Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary which is permitted by Section 7.03 , (iv) arise in connection with any Disposition permitted by Section 7.05 , (v) are customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements applicable to joint ventures permitted under Section 7.02 and applicable solely to such joint venture, (vi) are negative pledges and restrictions on Liens in favor of any holder of Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.03 but solely to the extent any negative pledge relates to the property financed by or the subject of such Indebtedness (and excluding in any event any Indebtedness constituting any Junior Financing) or that expressly permits Liens for the benefit of the Agents and the Lenders with respect to the credit facilities established hereunder and the Obligations under the Loan Documents on a senior basis without the requirement that such holders of such Indebtedness be secured by such Liens on an equal and ratable, or junior, basis, (vii) are customary restrictions on leases, subleases, licenses or asset sale agreements otherwise permitted hereby so long as such restrictions may relate to the assets subject thereto, (viii) comprise restrictions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 7.03 to the extent that such restrictions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness, (ix) are customary provisions restricting subletting or

 

Credit Agreement

124


assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest or (x) are customary provisions restricting assignment or transfer of any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business.

SECTION 7.10. Holding Company . The Parent (a) shall not engage in any business or activity other than (i) the ownership of all the outstanding Equity Interests in the BV Borrower (or other Equity Interests in accordance with clause (b)  below or in connection with the Permitted Reorganization) and activities incidental thereto, (ii) activities necessary to consummate the Transactions and (iii) corporate maintenance activities (including the payment of taxes and expenses associated with being a holding company), (b)shall not own or acquire any assets (other than Equity Interests in the BV Borrower or other Subsidiaries of the BV Borrower that are pledged to secure the Obligations pursuant to a Collateral Document and cash and Cash Equivalents in amounts reasonably required in connection with its permitted business activities or representing proceeds of a Restricted Payment permitted hereunder temporarily held pending further distribution to the Permitted Holders), (c) shall not create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or asset owned by it, other than Liens under the Loan Documents or non-consensual Liens permitted under Section 7.01 , (d) shall not incur any liabilities (other than liabilities under the Loan Documents, unsecured Guarantees permitted hereunder, liabilities relating to the performance of its obligations under such documents, liabilities in respect of guarantees granted pursuant to a declaration of joint and several liability used for the purpose of Section 2:403 of the Dutch Civil Code (and any residual liability under such declaration arising pursuant to section 2:404(2) of the Dutch Civil Code) and other liabilities (not including Indebtedness) incidental to its existence and permitted business activities), (e) may make any public offering of its common stock or any other issuance of its Equity Interests not prohibited by Article 7 , and (f) may engage in any transaction that Parent is otherwise permitted to enter into or consummate under this Article 7 .

SECTION 7.11. Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio . Except with the consent of the Required Revolving Credit Lenders, the Borrower Parties will not permit the Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio as of the last day of any Test Period ending during any period set forth in the table below to be greater than the ratio set forth below opposite the last day of such Test Period:

 

Test Period

   Senior Secured  Net
Leverage Ratio
 

June 30, 2011-December 31, 2011

     5.00 to 1.0   

Thereafter

     5.00 to 1.0   

Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 7.11 shall be in effect (and shall only be in effect) (x) when any Swing Line Loans, L/C Obligations and/or Revolving Credit Loans then outstanding (excluding Letters of Credit that have been Cash Collateralized to at least 100% of the undrawn amount thereof) at such time exceed 10% of the total amount of the Revolving Credit Commitments (including any Additional Revolving Credit Commitments) and (y) if no Swing Line Loans, L/C Obligations and/or Revolving Credit Loans then outstanding (excluding Letters of Credit that have been Cash Collateralized to at least 100% of the undrawn amount thereof) at such time exceed 10% of the total amount of the Revolving Credit Commitments (including any Additional Revolving Credit Commitments), when determining whether a Default or Event of Default exists for purposes of Section 4.02 in connection with the incurrence or issuance of a Swing Line Loan, Letter of Credit and/or Revolving Credit Loan (it being

 

Credit Agreement

125


understood that in all cases calculation of compliance with this Section 7.11 shall be determined as of the last day of each Test Period and shall be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis in the case of clause (y) above).

SECTION 7.12. Amendments of Certain Documents . Amend or otherwise modify (a) any of its Organization Documents in a manner materially adverse to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders or (b) any term or condition of any Junior Financing Documentation in any manner materially adverse to the interests of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, in each case without the consent of the Administrative Agent; provided , that nothing in this Section 7.12 shall prevent any Restricted Subsidiary of the BV Borrower from amending its Organization Documents as necessary to accomplish the Permitted Reorganization.

SECTION 7.13. Accounting Changes . Make any change in (a) fiscal year or (b) accounting policies or reporting policies except as required or permitted by generally accepted accounting principles; provided, however , that the BV Borrower may, upon written notice to the Administrative Agent, change its fiscal year to any other fiscal year reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, in which case, the BV Borrower and the Administrative Agent will, and are hereby authorized by the Lenders to, make any adjustments to this Agreement and to the covenants contained herein that are deemed reasonably necessary by the Administrative Agent, and not objected to by the Required Lenders, to reflect such change in fiscal year.

SECTION 7.14. Prepayments, Etc. of Subordinated Indebtedness . (a) Prepay, redeem, purchase, defease or otherwise satisfy prior to the scheduled maturity thereof in any manner (it being understood that payments of regularly scheduled principal and interest shall be permitted) any other subordinated Indebtedness having an aggregate principal amount of more than the Threshold Amount (collectively, “ Junior Financing ”), except (i) so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, (x) for an aggregate purchase price not to exceed $25,000,000; provided that, if the Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio as of the last day for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 6.01 was less than 5.0:1.0, such amount may be increased by an amount equal to the sum of (1) $25,000,000 and (2) an amount equal to 100% of the Available Amount or (y) the refinancing thereof with the Net Cash Proceeds of any Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness or Eligible Equity Proceeds that are Not Otherwise Applied and (ii) the conversion of any Junior Financing to Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests).

SECTION 7.15. Designated Senior Debt . Designate any Indebtedness (other than under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents) of the Borrowers or the Restricted Subsidiaries as “Designated Senior Indebtedness” or “Senior Secured Financing” (or any comparable term) under, and as defined in, any Junior Financing Documentation.

SECTION 7.16. Capital Expenditures . (a) Make any Capital Expenditures that would cause the aggregate amount of Capital Expenditures made by the Borrowers and the Restricted Subsidiaries in any fiscal year to exceed $150,000,000 (such amount, subject to the last paragraph of this Section 7.16, the “ Permitted Capital Expenditure Amount ”); provided that, with respect to any fiscal year of the Borrower during which a Permitted Acquisition is consummated and for each fiscal year subsequent thereto, the Permitted Capital Expenditure Amount applicable to each such fiscal year shall be increased by an amount equal to the

 

Credit Agreement

126


greater of (i) 200% of the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the amount of capital expenditures (determined in accordance with GAAP) made by the acquired entity or business for the thirty-six month period immediately preceding the consummation of such Permitted Acquisition by (B) three (3) and (ii) 10% of the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the net sales of the acquired entity or business for such thirty-six month period (as set forth in the audited financial statements of such acquired entity or business for such period or, if such audited financial statements are not available, as set forth in the most recent financial statements of such acquired entity or business delivered to the relevant Borrower or Restricted Subsidiary by such acquired entity or business or the seller thereof in connection with the purchase and sale agreement relating to such Permitted Acquisition or otherwise in connection with such Borrower’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s consideration of Permitted Acquisition) divided by (B) three (3) (such greater amount, the “ Acquired Permitted Capital Expenditure Amount ”); provided further that, with respect to the fiscal year during which any such Permitted Acquisition occurs, the Permitted Capital Expenditure Amount applicable to such fiscal year shall be increased by an amount equal to the product of (x) the Acquired Permitted Capital Expenditure Amount and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days remaining in such fiscal year and the denominator of which is 365 or 366, if applicable; provided further that the aggregate amount of Capital Expenditures made by the Borrowers and the Restricted Subsidiaries may be increased by the Available Amount as in effect at such time.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in clause (a)  above, (i) to the extent that the aggregate amount of Capital Expenditures made by the Borrowers and the Restricted Subsidiaries in any fiscal year pursuant to such clause (a)  is less than the amount set forth therein, the amount of such difference (the “ Rollover Amount ”) may be carried forward and used to make Capital Expenditures in the succeeding fiscal years to the extent such Rollover Amount shall not previously have been used to determine the permissibility of an Investment pursuant to Section 7.02(m) and (ii) for any fiscal year, the amount of Capital Expenditures that would otherwise be permitted in such fiscal year pursuant to this Section 7.16 (including as a result of the application of clause (i)  of this clause (b) ) may be increased by an amount not to exceed $20,000,000 (the “ CapEx Pull-Forward Amount ”). The actual CapEx Pull-Forward Amount in respect of any such fiscal year shall reduce, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, the amount of Capital Expenditures that would have been permitted to be made in the immediately succeeding fiscal year ( provided that, other than in respect of the 2013 fiscal year, the Borrowers and the Restricted Subsidiaries may apply the CapEx Pull-Forward Amount in such immediately succeeding fiscal year).

SECTION 7.17. Partnership, Etc. Become a general partner in any general or limited partnership or Joint Venture, or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to do so, other than any Restricted Subsidiary the sole assets of which consist of its interest in such partnership or Joint Venture.

ARTICLE 8

EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

SECTION 8.01. Events of Default . Any of the following shall constitute an Event of Default:

(a) Non-Payment . Any Borrower or any other Loan Party fails to pay (i) when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise), any amount of principal of any Loan or any L/C Borrowing, or (ii) within five (5) Business Days after the same becomes due, any interest or any fee payable pursuant to Section 2.09 or (iii) within ten (10) Business Days after

 

Credit Agreement

127


invoice or written demand, any other amount payable hereunder or with respect to any other Loan Document; or

(b) Specific Covenants . Any Loan Party fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in any of Section 6.03(a) , Section 6.05(a) (solely with respect to the Borrowers) or Section 6.11 , Section 6.19 or Article 7 ; provided , that any Event of Default under Section 7.11 is subject to cure pursuant to Section 8.04; provided , further , that any Event of Default under Section 7.11 shall not constitute an Event of Default for purposes of any Term Loans unless and until a period of 30 consecutive days has elapsed since the first date on which the Required Revolving Credit Lenders have actually declared all Revolving Credit Loans and related Obligations to be immediately due and payable in accordance with Section 8.02 of this Agreement as a result of the Borrowers’ failure to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in Section 7.11 and such declaration has not been rescinded on or before such date; or

(c) Other Defaults . Any Loan Party fails to perform or observe any other covenant or agreement (not specified in Section 8.01(a) or (b)  above) contained in any Loan Document on its part to be performed or observed and such failure continues for thirty (30) days after notice thereof by the Administrative Agent to the Borrowers; or

(d) Representations and Warranties . Any representation, warranty, certification or statement of fact made or deemed made by or on behalf of any Borrower or any other Loan Party herein, in any other Loan Document, or in any document required to be delivered in connection herewith or therewith shall be incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or, as provided in Section 4.02, deemed made; or

(e) Cross-Default . Any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary (i) fails to make any payment beyond the applicable grace period with respect thereto, if any (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise) in respect of any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness hereunder and determined, in the case of any Swap Contract, by reference to the Swap Termination Value of such Swap Contract) having an aggregate outstanding principal amount of not less than the Threshold Amount, or (ii) fails to observe or perform any other agreement or condition relating to any such Indebtedness, or any other event occurs, the effect of which default or other event is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders or beneficiary or beneficiaries) to cause, with the giving of notice if required, such Indebtedness to become due or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed (automatically or otherwise), or an offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem such Indebtedness to be made, prior to its stated maturity; provided that this clause (e)(ii) shall not apply to secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness, if such sale or transfer is permitted hereunder and under the documents providing for such Indebtedness; or

(f) Insolvency Proceedings, Etc. Any Loan Party or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries institutes or consents to the institution of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or applies for or consents to the appointment of any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator, administrator, administrative receiver or similar officer for it or for all or any material part of its property; or any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator, administrator, administrative receiver or similar officer is appointed without the application or consent of such Person and the appointment continues undischarged or unstayed for sixty (60) calendar days; or any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law relating to any such Person or to all or any material part of its property is instituted without the consent of such Person and continues undismissed or unstayed for sixty (60) calendar days, or an order for relief is entered in any such proceeding; or

 

Credit Agreement

128


(g) Inability to Pay Debts; Attachment . (i) Any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary becomes unable or admits in writing its inability or fails generally to pay its debts as they become due, or (ii) any writ or warrant of attachment or execution or similar process is issued or levied against all or any material part of the property of any such Person and is not released, vacated or fully bonded within sixty (60) days after its issue or levy; or

(h) Judgments . There is entered against any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary one or more final judgments or orders for the payment of money in an aggregate amount exceeding the Threshold Amount (to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which such insurer has been notified of such judgment or order and has not denied coverage) and there is a period of sixty (60) consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, is not in effect; or

(i) ERISA . An ERISA Event shall have occurred that, when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or

(j) Invalidity of Loan Documents . Any material provision of any Loan Document, at any time after its execution and delivery and for any reason other than as expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder (including as a result of a transaction permitted under Section 7.04 or Section 7.05 ) or satisfaction in full of all the Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations not then due and payable or Letters of Credit that are collateralized in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the applicable L/C Issuer), ceases to be in full force and effect; or any Loan Party contests in writing the validity or enforceability of any provision of any Loan Document; or any Loan Party denies in writing that it has any or further liability or obligation under any Loan Document (other than as a result of repayment in full of the Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations not then due and payable or Letters of Credit that are collateralized in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the applicable L/C Issuer) and termination of the Aggregate Commitments or as a result of a transaction permitted hereunder or thereunder (including under Section 7.04 or Section 7.05 )), or purports in writing to revoke or rescind any Loan Document; or

(k) Change of Control . There occurs any Change of Control; or

(l) Collateral Documents . Any Collateral Document after delivery thereof pursuant to Section 4.02 or Section 6.12 shall for any reason (other than pursuant to the terms thereof including as a result of a transaction permitted under Section 7.04 or Section 7.05 ) cease to create a valid and perfected (if and to the extent required to be perfected under the Security Agreement) first priority Lien on and security interest in any Collateral covered thereby that has a value greater $10,000,000 or that is otherwise material to the business of any Loan Party, subject to Liens permitted under Section 7.01 , or any Loan Party shall assert in writing such invalidity or lack of perfection (except to the extent perfection of not required under the Security Agreement) or priority (other than in an informational notice to the Administrative Agent), except (i) to the extent that any such loss of perfection or priority results from the failure of the Administrative Agent to maintain possession of certificates actually delivered to it representing securities pledged under the Collateral Documents or to file Uniform Commercial Code continuation statements, (ii) as to Collateral consisting of real property, to the extent that such losses are covered by a lender’s title insurance policy and the related insurer shall not have ultimately denied or disclaimed in writing that such losses are covered by such title insurance, notwithstanding any initial denial or disclaimer of coverage by the Title Company under lender’s title insurance policy, (iii) as a result of the sale, release or other Disposition of the applicable Collateral in a transaction permitted under the Loan Documents and (iv) relating to an immaterial amount of the Collateral.

 

Credit Agreement

129


SECTION 8.02. Remedies Upon Event of Default .

(i) If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing (other than an Event of Default under Section 8.01(b) as a result of the Borrowers’ failure to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in Section 7.11 unless the conditions of the second proviso contained therein have been satisfied), the Administrative Agent shall, at the request of, or may, with the consent of, the Required Lenders, take any or all of the following actions:

(a) declare the Commitment of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions to be terminated, whereupon such Commitments and obligation shall be terminated;

(b) declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrowers;

(c) require that the Borrowers Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations (in an amount equal to the then Outstanding Amount thereof); and

(d) exercise on behalf of itself and the Lenders all rights and remedies available to it and the Lenders under the Loan Documents or applicable Law;

provided that upon the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to any Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, the obligation of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions shall automatically terminate, the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all interest and other amounts as aforesaid shall automatically become due and payable, and the obligation of the Borrowers to Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations as aforesaid shall automatically become effective, in each case without further act of the Administrative Agent or any Lender.

(ii) Subject to the first proviso in Section 8.01(b) , if any Event of Default under Section 8.01(b) occurs and is continuing as a result of the Borrowers’ failure to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in Section 7.11 , the Administrative Agent shall, at the request of, or may, with the consent of, the Required Revolving Credit Lenders, take any or all of the following actions:

(a) declare the Revolving Credit Commitment of each Revolving Credit Lender to make Revolving Credit Loans and Swing Line Loans and any obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions to be terminated, whereupon such Revolving Credit Commitments and obligation shall be terminated;

(b) declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and Swing Line Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document under or in respect of the Class pursuant to which Revolving Credit Loans are made to be immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrowers;

(c) require that the Borrowers Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations (in an amount equal to the then Outstanding Amount thereof); and

(d) exercise on behalf of itself and the Revolving Credit Lenders all rights and remedies available to it and the Revolving Credit Lenders under the Loan Documents or applicable laws, in each case under or in respect of the Class pursuant to which Revolving Credit Loans are made.

 

Credit Agreement

130


SECTION 8.03. Application of Funds . After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 8.02 (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable and the L/C Obligations have automatically been required to be Cash Collateralized as set forth in the proviso to Section 8.02 ), any amounts received on account of the Obligations shall be applied by the Administrative Agent in the following order:

First , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (including Attorney Costs payable under Section 10.04 and amounts payable under Article 3 , but not including principal of or interest on any Loan) payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such;

Second , to the payment in full of the Unfunded Advances/Participations (the amounts so applied to be distributed between or among the Administrative Agent, the Swing Line Lender and any L/C Issuer pro rata in accordance with the amounts of Unfunded Advances/Participations owed to them on the date of any distribution);

Third , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal and interest) payable to the Lenders (including Attorney Costs payable under Section 10.05 and amounts payable under Article 3 ), ratably among them in proportion to the amounts described in this clause Third payable to them;

Fourth , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans and L/C Borrowings, ratably among the Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth payable to them;

Fifth , ratably to (a) the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer, to Cash Collateralize that portion of L/C Obligations comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit and (b) to payment of (i) that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans, (ii) the Secured Hedge Obligations and the Cash Management Obligations, ratably among the Secured Parties in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fifth held by them;

Sixth , to the payment of all other Obligations of the Loan Parties that are due and payable to the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties on such date, ratably based upon the respective aggregate amounts of all such Obligations owing to the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties on such date; and

Last , the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations not then due and payable and Letters of Credit that are cash collateralized on terms reasonably satisfactory to the applicable L/C Issuer) have been paid in full, to the Borrowers or as otherwise required by Law.

Subject to Section 2.03(c) , amounts used to Cash Collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to clause Fifth(b) above shall be applied to satisfy drawings under such Letters of Credit as they occur. If any amount remains on deposit as Cash Collateral after all Letters of Credit have either been fully drawn or expired, such remaining amount shall be applied to the other Obligations, if any, in the order set forth above and, if no Obligations remain outstanding, delivered to the Borrowers.

SECTION 8.04. Permitted Holders’ Right to Cure .

 

Credit Agreement

131


(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article 8 , in the event that the Borrowers fail to comply with the requirement of the covenant set forth in Section 7.11 , until the expiration of the tenth day after the date on which financial statements with respect to the Test Period in which such covenant is being measured are required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01 , any of the Permitted Holders shall have the right to make a direct or indirect equity investment in the Borrowers in cash (the “ Cure Right ”), and upon the receipt by the Borrowers of net cash proceeds pursuant to the exercise of the Cure Right (including through the capital contribution of any such net cash proceeds to such Person, the “ Specified Equity Contribution ”), the covenant set forth in such Section shall be recalculated, giving effect to a pro forma increase to Consolidated EBITDA for such Test Period in an amount equal to such net cash proceeds; provided that such pro forma adjustment to Consolidated EBITDA shall be given solely for the purpose of determining the existence of a Default or an Event of Default under the covenant set forth in Section 7.11 with respect to any Test Period that includes the fiscal quarter for which such Cure Right was exercised and not for any other purpose under any Loan Document.

(b) If, after the exercise of the Cure Right and the recalculations pursuant to clause (a) above, the Borrowers shall then be in compliance with the requirements of the covenant set forth in Section 7.11 during such Test Period (including for purposes of Section 4.02 ), the Borrowers shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of such covenant as of the relevant date of determination with the same effect as though there had been no failure to comply therewith at such date, and the applicable Default or Event of Default under Section 8.01 that had occurred shall be deemed cured; provided that (i) in each four-fiscal quarter period, there shall be at least two fiscal quarters in which the Cure Right is not exercised, (ii) there shall be no more than five Specified Equity Contributions during the term of this Agreement, (iii) with respect to any exercise of the Cure Right, the Specified Equity Contribution shall be no greater than the amount required to cause the Borrowers to be in compliance with the covenant set forth in Section 7.11 and (iv) all Specified Equity Contributions will be disregarded for purposes of determining the availability of any carve-outs with respect to the covenants contained in Article VII hereof.

ARTICLE 9

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND OTHER AGENTS

SECTION 9.01. Authorization and Action . (a) Each Lender (in its capacities as a Lender, a Swing Line Lender (if applicable), an Issuing Bank (if applicable) and on behalf of itself and its Affiliates as potential Hedge Banks) hereby appoints and authorizes each Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers and discretion under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are delegated to such Agent by the terms hereof and thereof, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto. As to any matters not expressly provided for by the Loan Documents (including, without limitation, enforcement or collection of the Loans), no Agent shall be required to exercise any discretion or take any action, but shall be required to act or to refrain from acting (and shall be fully protected in so acting or refraining from acting) upon the instructions of the Required Lenders, and such instructions shall be binding upon all Lenders, all Hedge Banks and all holders of Notes; provided , however , that no Agent shall be required to take any action that exposes such Agent to personal liability or that is contrary to this Agreement or applicable law. Each Agent agrees to give to each Lender prompt notice of each notice given to it by the Borrowers pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

(b) In furtherance of the foregoing, each Lender (in its capacities as a Lender, a Swing Line Lender (if applicable), an Issuing Bank (if applicable) and on behalf of itself and its Affiliates as potential Hedge Banks) hereby appoints and authorizes the Collateral Agent to act as the agent of such Lender for

 

Credit Agreement

132


purposes of acquiring, holding and enforcing any and all Liens on Collateral granted by any of the Loan Parties to secure any of the Secured Obligations, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto. In this connection, the Collateral Agent (and any Supplemental Collateral Agents appointed by the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 9.01(c) for purposes of holding or enforcing any Lien on the Collateral (or any portion thereof) granted under the Collateral Documents, or for exercising any rights or remedies thereunder at the direction of the Collateral Agent), shall be entitled to the benefits of this Article VII (including, without limitation, Section 9.05 as though any such Supplemental Collateral Agents were an “Agent” under the Loan Documents) as if set forth in full herein with respect thereto.

(c) Any Agent may execute any of its duties under this Agreement or any other Loan Document (including for purposes of holding or enforcing any Lien on the Collateral (or any portion thereof) granted under the Collateral Documents or of exercising any rights and remedies thereunder at the direction of the Collateral Agent) by or through agents, employees or attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel and other consultants or experts concerning all matters pertaining to such duties. The Collateral Agent may also from time to time, when the Collateral Agent deems it to be necessary or desirable, appoint one or more trustees, co-trustees, collateral co-agents, collateral subagents or attorneys-in-fact (each, a “ Supplemental Collateral Agent ”) with respect to all or any part of the Collateral; provided , however , that no such Supplemental Collateral Agent shall be authorized to take any action with respect to any Collateral unless and except to the extent expressly authorized in writing by the Collateral Agent. Should any instrument in writing from the Borrowers or any other Loan Party be required by any Supplemental Collateral Agent so appointed by the Collateral Agent to more fully or certainly vest in and confirm to such Supplemental Collateral Agent such rights, powers, privileges and duties, the Borrowers shall, or shall cause such Loan Party to, execute, acknowledge and deliver any and all such instruments promptly upon request by the Collateral Agent. If any Supplemental Collateral Agent, or successor thereto, shall die, become incapable of acting, resign or be removed, all rights, powers, privileges and duties of such Supplemental Collateral Agent, to the extent permitted by law, shall automatically vest in and be exercised by the Collateral Agent until the appointment of a new Supplemental Collateral Agent. No Agent shall be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agent, attorney-in-fact or Supplemental Collateral Agent that it selects in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 9.01(c) in the absence of such Agent’s gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.

SECTION 9.02. Agents’ Reliance, Etc. Neither any Agent nor any of their respective directors, officers, agents or employees shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it or them under or in connection with the Loan Documents, except for its or their own gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. Without limitation of the generality of the foregoing, each Agent: (a) may consult with legal counsel (including counsel for any Loan Party), independent public accountants and other experts selected by it and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith by it in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or experts; (b) makes no warranty or representation to any Lender and shall not be responsible to any Lender for any statements, warranties or representations (whether written or oral) made in or in connection with the Loan Documents; (c) shall not have any duty to ascertain or to inquire as to the performance, observance or satisfaction of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of any Loan Document on the part of any Loan Party or the existence at any time of any Default under the Loan Documents or to inspect the property (including the books and records) of any Loan Party; (d) shall not be responsible to any Lender for the due execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of, or the perfection or priority of any lien or security interest created or purported to be created under or in connection with, any Loan Document or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto; and (e) shall incur no liability under or in respect of any Loan Document by acting upon any

 

Credit Agreement

133


notice, consent, certificate or other instrument or writing (which may be by telegram or telecopy) believed by it to be genuine and signed or sent by the proper party or parties.

SECTION 9.03. Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Bank of Montreal, Royal Bank of Canada, Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd., Raymond James Bank, FSB and Crédit Industriel et Commercial and Affiliates . With respect to its Commitments, the Loans made by it and any Notes issued to it, each of Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Bank of Montreal, Royal Bank of Canada, Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd., Raymond James Bank, FSB and Crédit Industriel et Commercial shall have the same rights and powers under the Loan Documents as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though they were not Agents; and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated, include Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Bank of Montreal, Royal Bank of Canada, Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd., Raymond James Bank, FSB and Crédit Industriel et Commercial in their individual capacities. Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Bank of Montreal, Royal Bank of Canada, Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd., Raymond James Bank, FSB and Crédit Industriel et Commercial and their affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as trustee under indentures of, accept investment banking engagements from and generally engage in any kind of business with, any Loan Party, any of its Subsidiaries and any Person that may do business with or own securities of any Loan Party or any such Subsidiary, all as if Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Bank of Montreal, Royal Bank of Canada, Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd., Raymond James Bank, FSB and Crédit Industriel et Commercial were not an Agents and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders. No Agent shall have any duty to disclose any information obtained or received by it or any of its Affiliates relating to any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries to the extent such information was obtained or received in any capacity other than as such Agent.

SECTION 9.04. Lender Credit Decision . Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender and based on the financial statements referred to in Section 5.01 and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement.

SECTION 9.05. Indemnification . (a) Each Lender severally agrees to indemnify each Agent (to the extent not promptly reimbursed by the Borrowers) from and against such Lender’s ratable share (determined as provided below) of any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever that may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against such Agent in any way relating to or arising out of the Loan Documents or any action taken or omitted by such Agent under the Loan Documents (collectively, the “ Indemnified Costs ”); provided , however , that no Lender shall be liable for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from such Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct as found in a final, non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction. Without limitation of the foregoing, each Lender agrees to reimburse each Agent promptly upon demand for its ratable share of any costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) payable by the Borrowers under Section 10.04 , to the extent that

 

Credit Agreement

134


such Agent is not promptly reimbursed for such costs and expenses by the Borrowers. In the case of any investigation, litigation or proceeding giving rise to any Indemnified Costs, this Section 9.05 applies whether any such investigation, litigation or proceeding is brought by any Lender or any other Person.

(b) Each Revolving Credit Lender severally agrees to indemnify the Issuing Bank (to the extent not promptly reimbursed by the Borrowers) from and against such Revolving Credit Lender’s ratable share (determined as provided below) of any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever that may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against the Issuing Bank in any way relating to or arising out of the Letters of Credit or the Loan Documents or any action taken or omitted by the Issuing Bank under the Letters of Credit or the Loan Documents; provided , however , that no Revolving Credit Lender shall be liable for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from the Issuing Bank’s gross negligence or willful misconduct as found in a final, non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction. Without limitation of the foregoing, each Revolving Credit Lender agrees to reimburse the Issuing Bank promptly upon demand for its ratable share of any costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) payable by the Borrowers under Section 9.04 , to the extent that the Issuing Bank is not promptly reimbursed for such costs and expenses by the Borrowers.

(c) For purposes of this Section 9.05 , each Lender’s respective ratable share of any amount shall be determined, at any time, according to the sum of (i) the aggregate principal amount of the Loans outstanding at such time and owing to such Lender, (ii) such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the aggregate available amount of all Letters of Credit outstanding at such time, (iii) such Lender’s unused Term Commitments at such time and (iv) such Lender’s unused Revolving Credit Commitments at such time; provided that the aggregate principal amount of Swing Line Loans owing to the Swing Line Lender and of Letter of Credit Loans owing to the Issuing Bank shall be considered to be owed to the Revolving Credit Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Revolving Credit Commitments. The failure of any Lender to reimburse any Agent or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, promptly upon demand for its ratable share of any amount required to be paid by the Lenders to such Agent or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, as provided herein shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligation hereunder to reimburse such Agent or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, for its ratable share of such amount, but no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to reimburse such Agent or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, for such other Lender’s ratable share of such amount. Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement of any Lender hereunder, the agreement and obligations of each Lender contained in this Section 9.05 shall survive the payment in full of principal, interest and all other amounts payable hereunder and under the other Loan Documents.

SECTION 9.06. Successor Agents . Any Agent may resign as to any or all of the Facilities at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Lenders and the Borrowers and may be removed as to all of the Facilities at any time with or without cause by the Required Lenders; provided , however , that any removal of the Administrative Agent will not be effective until it or its Affiliate has also been replaced as Collateral Agent, Swing Line Lender and Issuing Bank and discharged from all of its obligations in respect thereof. Upon any such resignation or removal, the Required Lenders shall have the right (with the consent of the Borrowers, so long as no Event of Default has occurred or is continuing) to appoint a successor Agent as to such of the Facilities as to which such Agent has resigned or been removed. If no successor Agent shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders (or, so long as no Event of Default has occurred or is continuing, consented to by the Borrowers), and shall have accepted such appointment, within 30 days after the retiring Agent’s giving of notice of resignation or the Required Lenders’ removal of the retiring Agent, then the retiring Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Agent, which shall be a

 

Credit Agreement

135


commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or of any State thereof and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $250,000,000. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Agent hereunder by a successor Agent as to all of the Facilities and, in the case of a successor Collateral Agent, upon the execution and filing or recording of such financing statements, or amendments thereto, and such amendments or supplements to the Mortgages, and such other instruments or notices, as may be necessary or desirable, or as the Required Lenders may reasonably request, in order to continue the perfection of the Liens granted or purported to be granted by the Collateral Documents, such successor Agent shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, discretion, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent, and the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under the Loan Documents. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Agent hereunder by a successor Agent as to less than all of the Facilities and, in the case of a successor Collateral Agent, upon the execution and filing or recording of such financing statements, or amendments thereto, and such amendments or supplements to the Mortgages, and such other instruments or notices, as may be reasonably necessary or desirable, or as the Required Lenders may request, in order to continue the perfection of the Liens granted or purported to be granted by the Collateral Documents, such successor Agent shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, discretion, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent as to such Facilities, other than with respect to funds transfers and other similar aspects of the administration of Borrowings under such Facilities, issuances of Letters of Credit (notwithstanding any resignation as Agent with respect to the Letter of Credit Facility) and payments by the Borrowers in respect of such Facilities, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under this Agreement as to such Facilities, other than as aforesaid. If within 45 days after written notice is given of the retiring Agent’s resignation or removal under this Section 9.06 no successor Agent shall have been appointed and shall have accepted such appointment, then on such 45th day (a) the retiring Agent’s resignation or removal shall become effective, (b) the retiring Agent shall thereupon be discharged from its duties and obligations under the Loan Documents and (c) the Required Lenders shall thereafter perform all duties of the retiring Agent under the Loan Documents until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Agent as provided above. After any retiring Agent’s resignation or removal hereunder as Agent as to any of the Facilities shall have become effective, the provisions of this Article VII shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent as to such Facilities under this Agreement.

SECTION 9.07. Other Agents; Arrangers and Managers . None of the Lenders or other Persons identified on the facing page or signature pages of this Agreement as a “syndication agent,” “co-documentation agent,” “bookrunner,” or “lead arranger” shall have any right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility or duty under this Agreement other than to the extent expressly set forth herein and, in the case of such Lenders, those applicable to all Lenders as such. Without limiting the foregoing, none of the Lenders or other Persons so identified shall have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any Lender. Each Lender acknowledges that it has not relied, and will not rely, on any of the Lenders or other Persons so identified in deciding to enter into this Agreement or in taking or not taking action hereunder.

ARTICLE 10

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 10.01. Amendments, Etc .

No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent to any departure by any Borrower or any other Loan Party therefrom, shall be effective unless (x) in the case of any amendment necessary to implement the terms of any Additional

 

Credit Agreement

136


Term Loans or Additional Revolving Credit Loans, as applicable, in accordance with the terms hereof, in writing signed by the relevant Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the relevant Additional Term Lenders or Additional Revolving Credit Lenders, as applicable, and (y) in the case of any other amendment, in writing signed by the Required Lenders (or by the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders) and the relevant Borrower or the applicable Loan Party, as the case may be, and each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided that no such amendment, waiver or consent shall:

(a) extend or increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby (it being understood that a waiver of any condition precedent set forth in Section 4.01 or Section 4.02 , or the waiver of any Default, Event of Default, mandatory prepayment or mandatory reduction of the Commitments shall not constitute an extension or increase of any Commitment of any Lender);

(b) postpone any date scheduled for any payment of principal or interest under Section 2.07 or Section 2.08 or fees under Section 2.03(i) or Section 2.09(a) , without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby, it being understood that the waiver of any mandatory prepayment of the Term Loans shall not constitute a postponement of any date scheduled for the payment of principal or interest;

(c) reduce or forgive the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan or L/C Borrowing, or (subject to clause (iii)  of the second proviso to this Section 10.01 ) any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby, it being understood that any change to the definition of Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio or in the component definitions thereof shall not constitute a reduction in any rate of interest; provided that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary to amend the definition of “Default Rate” or to waive any obligation of the Borrowers to pay interest at the Default Rate;

(d) change any provision of this Section 10.01 or the definition of “Required Lenders”;

(e) change the definition of “Pro Rata Share”, Section 2.12(a) , Section 2.13 or Section 8.03 in any manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments or other amounts required thereby without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby; provided that the portion of the Total Outstandings held or deemed held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making such determination

(f) release all or substantially all of the Collateral in any transaction or series of related transactions (it being understood that a transaction permitted under Section 7.05 shall not constitute the release of all or substantially all of the Collateral), without the written consent of each Lender; or

(g) other than in connection with a transaction permitted under Section 7.04 or Section 7.05 , release any material Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty, without the written consent of each Lender;

and provided further that (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the L/C Issuer in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the L/C Issuer under this Agreement or any Letter of Credit Application relating to any Letter of Credit issued or to be issued by it; (ii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Swing Line Lender in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Swing Line Lender under this Agreement; (iii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of, or any fees

 

Credit Agreement

137


or other amounts payable to, the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; and (iv)  Section 10.07(g) may not be amended, waived or otherwise modified without the consent of each Granting Lender all or any part of whose Loans are being funded by an SPC at the time of such amendment, waiver or other modification. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder, except that the Commitment of such Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender (it being understood that any Commitments or Loans held or deemed held by any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded from a vote of the Lenders hereunder requiring any consent of the Lenders).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be amended (or amended and restated) with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent, the relevant Borrower (a) to add one or more additional credit facilities to this Agreement and to permit the extensions of credit from time to time outstanding thereunder and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof to share ratably in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the Term Loans and the Revolving Credit Loans and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof and (b) to include appropriately the Lenders holding such credit facilities in any determination of the Required Lenders.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 10.01 , in the event that the Borrowers request that this Agreement be modified or amended in a manner that would require the unanimous consent of all of the Lenders and such modification or amendment is agreed to by the Required Lenders, then with the consent of the Borrowers and the Required Lenders, the Borrowers and the Required Lenders shall be permitted to amend the Agreement without the consent of the Non-Consenting Lenders to provide for (a) the termination of the Commitment of each Non-Consenting Lender that are (x) Revolving Credit Lenders, (y) Term Lenders or (z) both, at the election of the Borrowers and the Required Lenders, (b) the addition to this Agreement of one or more other financial institutions (each of which shall be an Eligible Assignee), or an increase in the Commitment of one or more of the Required Lenders (with the written consent thereof), so that the total Commitment after giving effect to such amendment shall be in the same amount as the total Commitment immediately before giving effect to such amendment, (c) if any Loans are outstanding at the time of such amendment, the making of such additional Loans by such new financial institutions or Required Lender or Lenders, as the case may be, as may be necessary to repay in full with accrued interest, at par, the outstanding Loans of the Non-Consenting Lenders immediately before giving effect to such amendment and (d) such other modifications to this Agreement as may be appropriate to effect the foregoing clauses (a) , (b)  and (c) .

Further, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 10.01 , if at any time after the Closing Date, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall have jointly identified an obvious error or any error or omission of a technical or immaterial nature, in each case, in any provision of the Loan Documents, then the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers shall be permitted to amend such provision and such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to any Loan Document if the same is not objected to in writing by the Required Lenders within five (5) Business Days following receipt of notice thereof.

SECTION 10.02. Notices and Other Communications; Facsimile Copies . (a) General . Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, all notices and other communications provided for hereunder or any other Loan Document shall be in writing (including by facsimile transmission). All such written notices shall be mailed, faxed or delivered to the applicable address, facsimile number or (subject to Section 10.02(c) ) electronic mail address, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as follows:

 

Credit Agreement

138


(i) if to any Borrower, any Guarantor, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, to the address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 10.02 or to such other address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number as shall be designated by such party in a notice to the other parties; and

(ii) if to any other Lender, to the address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified in its Administrative Questionnaire or to such other address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number as shall be designated by such party in a notice to the relevant Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender.

All such notices and other communications shall be deemed to be given or made upon the earlier to occur of (i) actual receipt by the relevant party hereto and (ii) (A) if delivered by hand or by courier, when signed for by or on behalf of the relevant party hereto; (B) if delivered by mail, four (4) Business Days after deposit in the mails, postage prepaid; (C) if delivered by facsimile, when sent and receipt has been confirmed; and (D) if delivered by electronic mail (which form of delivery is subject to the provisions of Section 10.02(c) ), when delivered; provided that notices and other communications to the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender pursuant to Article 2 shall not be effective until actually received by such Person. In no event shall a voice mail message be effective as a notice, communication or confirmation hereunder.

(b) Effectiveness of Facsimile Documents and Signatures . Loan Documents may be transmitted and/or signed by facsimile or other electronic transmission (e.g., portable document format (“pdf”)). The effectiveness of any such documents and signatures shall, subject to applicable Law, have the same force and effect as manually signed originals and shall be binding on all Loan Parties, the Agents and the Lenders. The Administrative Agent may also require that any such documents and signatures be confirmed by a manually signed original thereof; provided that the failure to request or deliver the same shall not limit the effectiveness of any facsimile document or signature.

(c) Reliance by Agents and Lenders . The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices (including telephonic Committed Loan Notices and Swing Line Loan Notices) purportedly given by or on behalf of any Borrower even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. The Borrowers shall indemnify each Agent-Related Person and each Lender from all actual losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of any Borrower in the absence of gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.

SECTION 10.03. No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies . No failure by any Lender or the Administrative Agent to exercise, and no delay by any such Person in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided, and provided under each other Loan Document, are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by Law.

 

Credit Agreement

139


SECTION 10.04. Attorney Costs, Expenses and Taxes . The Borrowers agree upon and following the Closing Date (a) to pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, negotiation, syndication and execution of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and any amendment, waiver, consent or other modification of the provisions hereof and thereof, and the consummation and administration of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including all Attorney Costs of one attorney for all Lenders and the Administrative Agent (which shall be Shearman & Sterling LLP) and such other local counsel in each foreign jurisdiction as agreed between the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers, and (b) to pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent and each Lender for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement of any rights or remedies under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents (including all such costs and expenses incurred during any legal proceeding, including any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law), including all Attorney Costs of counsel (which counsel shall be limited as provided in Section 10.05 ). The foregoing costs and expenses shall include all reasonable search, filing, recording, title insurance and appraisal charges and fees and taxes related thereto, and other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any Agent. All amounts due under this Section 10.04 shall be paid promptly (but in any event within 30 days) following receipt by the BV Borrower or an invoice relating thereto setting forth such expenses in reasonable detail. The agreements in this Section 10.04 shall survive the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and repayment of all other Obligations. If any Loan Party fails to pay when due any costs, expenses or other amounts payable by it hereunder or under any Loan Document, such amount may be paid on behalf of such Loan Party by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, in its sole discretion.

SECTION 10.05. Indemnification by the Borrowers . The Borrowers shall indemnify and hold harmless each Agent-Related Person, each Arranger, each Lender and their respective Affiliates, directors, officers, members, partners, employees, counsel, agents, attorneys-in-fact, trustees and advisors (collectively the “ Indemnitees ”) from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, actual losses, actual damages, penalties, claims, demands, actions, judgments, suits, reasonable costs, reasonable expenses and reasonable disbursements (including Attorney Costs (which shall be limited to one (1) counsel to the Administrative Agent and the other Indemnitees (exclusive of one local counsel to the Administrative Agent and the other Indemnitees in each appropriate jurisdiction), unless (x) the interests of the Administrative Agent and the other Indemnitees are sufficiently divergent, in which case one (1) additional counsel may be appointed and (y) if the interests of any Indemnitee or group of Indemnitees (other than all of the other Indemnitees) are distinctly or disproportionately affected, one (1) additional counsel for such Indemnitee or group of Indemnitees in the case of clause (a)  below)) of any kind or nature whatsoever which may at any time be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any such Indemnitee in any way relating to or arising out of or in connection with (a) the syndication, execution, delivery, enforcement, performance or administration of any Loan Document or any other agreement, letter or instrument delivered in connection with the transactions contemplated thereby or the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, (b) any Commitment, Loan or Letter of Credit or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the L/C Issuer to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), or (c) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property currently or formerly owned or operated by any Borrower, any Subsidiary or any other Loan Party, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to any Borrower, any Subsidiary or any other Loan Party, or (d) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory (including any investigation of, preparation for, or defense of any pending or threatened claim, investigation, litigation or proceeding) and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto (and regardless of whether such matter is instituted by a third party or by any Borrower or any other Loan Party) (all the foregoing, collectively, the “ Indemnified Liabilities ”), in all cases, whether or not caused by or arising, in whole or in part, out of the negligence of

 

Credit Agreement

140


the Indemnitee; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, claims, demands, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements (x) have been determined in the final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of any Indemnitee or any of its directors, officers or employees or a material breach of the Loan Documents by any Indemnitee or (y) arise from claims of any of the Lenders solely against one or more Lenders (and not by one or more Lenders against the Administrative Agent or one or more of the other Agents) or any of the Arrangers solely against one or more Arrangers that have not resulted from the action, inaction, participation or contribution of any Borrower or their respective Subsidiaries or other Affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, stockholders, partners, members, employees, agents, representatives or advisors. No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by others of any information or other materials obtained through IntraLinks or other similar information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement, nor shall any Indemnitee or any Loan Party have any liability for any special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or arising out of its activities in connection herewith or therewith (whether before or after the Closing Date). In the case of an investigation, litigation or other proceeding to which the indemnity in this Section 10.05 applies, such indemnity shall be effective whether or not such investigation, litigation or proceeding is brought by any Loan Party, its directors, shareholders or creditors or an Indemnitee or any other Person, whether or not any Indemnitee is otherwise a party thereto and whether or not any of the transactions contemplated hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents is consummated. All amounts due under this Section 10.05 shall be paid promptly (but in any event within thirty (30) days) after written demand therefor; provided, however , that such Indemnitee shall promptly refund such amount to the extent that there is a final judicial or arbitral determination that such Indemnitee was not entitled to indemnification or contribution rights with respect to such payment pursuant to the express terms of this Section 10.05 . The agreements in this Section 10.05 shall survive the resignation of the Administrative Agent, the replacement of any Arranger or Lender, the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Obligations.

SECTION 10.06. Payments Set Aside . To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of any Borrower is made to any Agent or any Lender, or any Agent or any Lender exercises its right of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by such Agent or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred, and (b) each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent upon demand its applicable share of any amount so recovered from or repaid by any Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect.

SECTION 10.07. Successors and Assigns . (a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that no Borrower may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an Eligible Assignee in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.07(b) , (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.07(d) , (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of Section 10.07(f) or Section 10.07(h) , as the

 

Credit Agreement

141


case may be, or (iv) to an SPC in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.07(g) (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in Section 10.07(d) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Indemnitees) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

(b) Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans (including for purposes of this Section 10.07(b) , participations in L/C Obligations and in Swing Line Loans) at the time owing to it); provided that (i) except in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to a Lender (in which case, but only in respect of amounts made available to a Dutch Borrower, the principal amount so assigned shall not be less than €100,000 (or the equivalent thereof in any other currency), the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the applicable Commitment is not then in effect, the outstanding principal balance of the Loan of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment, determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent shall not be less than $2,500,000 or €2,500,000, in the case of any assignment in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility, or $1,000,000, in the case of any assignment in respect of any Term Loans; (ii) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund (but subject to clause (iv)  below), each of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) and, so long as no Event of Default in respect of Section 8.01(a) , Section 8.01(f) or Section 8.01(g)(i) has occurred and is continuing and except for assignments in connection with the exchange of Lenders’ interests pursuant to arrangements relating thereto among the Lenders following the date on which either any Event of Default referred to in Section 8.01(f) or Section 8.01(g)(i) shall have occurred and be continuing in respect of any Borrower or the Loans shall have been declared immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 8.02 , each Borrower consents to such assignment (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, and provided that the Borrowers shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless any Borrower shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days after having received notice thereof); (iii) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loans or the Commitment assigned, except that this clause (iii)  shall not (x) apply to rights in respect of Swing Line Loans or (y) prohibit any Lender from assigning all or a portion of its rights and obligations among separate Facilities on a non-pro rata basis; (iv) any assignment of a Revolving Credit Commitment must be approved by the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); (v) the parties (other than the relevant Borrower unless its consent to such assignment is required hereunder) to each assignment shall (A) execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption via an electronic settlement system acceptable to the Administrative Agent (which initially may be ClearPar, LLC) or (B) manually execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption; and (vi) the assigning Lender shall deliver any Notes evidencing such Loans to the relevant Borrower or the Administrative Agent. Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 10.07(c) , from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the Eligible Assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of

 

Credit Agreement

142


Section 3.01 , Section 3.04 , Section 3.05 , Section 10.04 and Section 10.05 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment). Upon request, and the surrender by the assigning Lender of its Note, the relevant Borrower (at its expense) shall execute and deliver a Note to the assignee Lender. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this clause (b)  shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with Section 10.07(d) .

(c) The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrowers, shall maintain at the Administrative Agent’s Office a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts (and related interest amounts) of the Loans, L/C Obligations (specifying the Unreimbursed Amounts), L/C Borrowings and amounts due under Section 2.03 , owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “ Register ”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, absent manifest error, and the Borrowers, the Agents and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by any Borrower, any Agent and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(d) Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, any Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural person) (each, a “ Participant ”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans (including such Lender’s participations in L/C Obligations and/or Swing Line Loans) owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrowers, the Agents and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification described in the first proviso to Section 10.01 that directly affects such Participant. Subject to Section 10.07(e) , the Borrowers agree that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 3.01 , Section 3.04 and Section 3.05 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to Section 10.07(b) and such Participant agrees to be bound by such Sections and Section 3.06 . To the extent permitted by Law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.09 as though it were a Lender; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.13 as though it were a Lender.

(e) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 3.01 , Section 3.04 or Section 3.05 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the relevant Borrower’s prior written consent and such Participant complies with Section 3.01 , Section 3.06 and Section 10.15 as if such Participant were a Lender under Section 10.15 . A Participant shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 3.01 unless the relevant Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the relevant Borrower, to comply with Section 3.01 , Section 3.06 and Section 10.15 as though it were a Lender.

(f) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including under its Note, if any) to secure obligations of such Lender,

 

Credit Agreement

143


including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

(g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Lender (a “ Granting Lender ”) may grant to a special purpose funding vehicle identified as such in writing from time to time by the Granting Lender to the Administrative Agent and the relevant Borrower (an “ SPC ”) the option to provide all or any part of any Loan that such Granting Lender would otherwise be obligated to make pursuant to this Agreement; provided that (i) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment by any SPC to fund any Loan, and (ii) if an SPC elects not to exercise such option or otherwise fails to make all or any part of such Loan, the Granting Lender shall be obligated to make such Loan pursuant to the terms hereof. Each party hereto hereby agrees that (i) neither the grant to any SPC nor the exercise by any SPC of such option shall increase the costs or expenses or otherwise increase or change the obligations of the relevant Borrower under this Agreement (including its obligations under Section 3.01 , Section 3.04 or Section 3.05 ), (ii) no SPC shall be liable for any indemnity or similar payment obligation under this Agreement for which a Lender would be liable, and (iii) the Granting Lender shall for all purposes, including the approval of any amendment, waiver or other modification of any provision of any Loan Document, remain the lender of record hereunder. The making of a Loan by an SPC hereunder shall utilize the Commitment of the Granting Lender to the same extent, and as if, such Loan were made by such Granting Lender. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any SPC may (i) with notice to, but without prior consent of the relevant Borrower and the Administrative Agent, assign all or any portion of its right to receive payment with respect to any Loan to the Granting Lender and (ii) disclose on a confidential basis any non-public information relating to its funding of Loans to any rating agency, commercial paper dealer or provider of any surety or Guarantee or credit or liquidity enhancement to such SPC.

(h) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Lender that is a Fund may, without the consent of or notice to the Administrative Agent or any Borrower, create a security interest in all or any portion of the Loans owing to it and the Note, if any, held by it to the trustee for holders of obligations owed, or securities issued, by such Fund as security for such obligations or securities; provided that unless and until such trustee actually becomes a Lender in compliance with the other provisions of this Section 10.07 , (i) no such pledge shall release the pledging Lender from any of its obligations under the Loan Documents and, (ii) such trustee shall not be entitled to exercise any of the rights of a Lender under the Loan Documents even though such trustee may have acquired ownership rights with respect to the pledged interest through foreclosure or otherwise (unless such trustee is an Eligible Assignee which has complied with the requirements of Section 10.07(b) ).

(i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Morgan Stanley may, upon thirty (30) days’ notice to the Borrowers and the Lenders, resign as L/C Issuer and/or the Swing Line Lender; provided that on or prior to the expiration of such 30-day period with respect to Morgan Stanley’s resignation as L/C Issuer, Morgan Stanley shall have identified a successor L/C Issuer reasonably acceptable to the Borrowers willing to accept its appointment as successor L/C Issuer. In the event of any such resignation as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, the Borrowers shall be entitled to appoint from among the Lenders willing to accept such appointment a successor L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender hereunder; provided that no failure by the Borrowers to appoint any such successor shall affect the resignation of Morgan Stanley as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be, except as expressly provided above. If Morgan Stanley resigns as L/C Issuer, it shall retain all the rights and obligations of the L/C Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as L/C Issuer and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto (including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.03(c) ). If Morgan Stanley resigns as Swing Line Lender, it shall retain all the rights

 

Credit Agreement

144


of the Swing Line Lender provided for hereunder with respect to Swing Line Loans made by it and outstanding as of the effective date of such resignation, including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in outstanding Swing Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.04(c) .

(j) Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary set forth herein, any Lender may, at any time, without any consent, assign all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including Loans or Commitments) to the Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries (x) in accordance with Section 2.05(a)(iv) or (y) through open market purchases, in each case on a non-pro rata basis.

(k) Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary set forth herein, any Lender may, at any time without any consent, assign all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including Loans or Commitments) to a Person who is or will become, after such assignment, an Affiliated Lender on a non-pro rata basis subject to the following limitations:

(a) Affiliated Lenders will not receive information provided solely to Lenders by the Administrative Agent or any Lender and will not be permitted to attend or participate in meetings attended solely by the Lenders and the Administrative Agent, other than the right to receive notices of prepayments and other administrative notices in respect of its Loans or Commitments required to be delivered to Lenders pursuant to Article II ;

(b) except as previously disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, each Affiliated Lender represents and warrants as of the date of any assignment to such Affiliated Lender pursuant to this Section 10.07(k) , that neither the Affiliated Lender nor any Sponsor to which such Affiliated Lender is an Affiliate, has any MNPI with respect to any Loan Party that both (x) has not been disclosed to the assigning Lender (other than because such assigning Lender does not wish to receive MNPI with respect to any Loan Party) prior to such date and (y) could reasonably be expected to have a material effect upon, or otherwise be material to, a Lender’s decision to assign Loans to such Affiliated Lender;

(c) the aggregate principal amount of Total Outstanding Term Loans held at any one time by Affiliated Lenders may not exceed 25% of the original principal amount of all Total Outstanding Term Loans at such time;

(d) Affiliated Lenders may not purchase Loans under the Revolving Credit Facility (other than from Defaulting Lenders); and

(e) in relation to a Dutch Borrower only, the principal amount of the rights and/or obligations so assigned shall not be less than €100,000 or an equivalent thereof in any other currency.

(l) Notwithstanding anything in Section 10.01 or the definitions of “Required Lenders” or “Required Revolving Credit Lenders” to the contrary, for purposes of determining whether the Required Lenders have (1) consented (or not consented) to any amendment, modification, waiver, consent or other action with respect to any of the terms of any Loan Document or any departure by any Loan Party therefrom, (2) otherwise acted on any matter related to any Loan Document, or (3) directed or required the Administrative Agent or any Lender to undertake any action (or refrain from taking any action) with respect to or under any Loan Document, all Loans held by any Affiliated Lenders shall be deemed to be not outstanding for all purposes of calculating whether the Required Lenders or the Required Revolving Credit Lenders have taken any actions.

 

Credit Agreement

145


(m) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents to the contrary, each Affiliated Lender hereby agrees that, if a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law shall be commenced by or against the Borrowers or any other Loan Party at a time when such Lender is an Affiliated Lender, such Affiliated Lender irrevocably authorizes and empowers the Administrative Agent to vote on behalf of such Affiliated Lender with respect to the Loans held by such Affiliated Lender in any manner in the Administrative Agent’s sole discretion, unless the Administrative Agent instructs such Affiliated Lender to vote, in which case such Affiliated Lender shall vote with respect to the Loans held by it as the Administrative Agent directs; provided that such Affiliated Lender shall be entitled to vote in accordance with its sole discretion (and not in accordance with the direction of the Administrative Agent) in connection with any plan of reorganization to the extent any such plan of reorganization proposes to treat any Obligations held by such Affiliated Lender in a manner that is less favorable in any material respect to such Affiliated Lender than the proposed treatment of similar Obligations held by Lenders that are not Affiliates of the Borrowers.

For avoidance of doubt, the foregoing limitations in subclauses (j), (k), (l) and (m) of this Section 10.07 shall not be applicable to Affiliated Debt Funds except for subclause (k)(e).

SECTION 10.08. Confidentiality . Each of the Agents and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information, except that Information may be disclosed (a) to it and its Affiliates’ directors, officers, members, partners, employees, trustees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential); (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority; (c) to the extent required by applicable Laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process; ( provided that the Agent or Lender that discloses any Information pursuant to this clause (c)  shall provide the BV Borrower prompt notice of such disclosure to the extent permitted by applicable Law); (d) to any other party to this Agreement; (e) subject to an agreement containing provisions no less restrictive than those of this Section 10.08 (or as may otherwise be reasonably acceptable to the BV Borrower), to any Eligible Assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective Eligible Assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement; (f) with the written consent of the BV Borrower; (g) to the extent such Information becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section 10.08 ; (h) to any state, Federal or foreign authority or examiner (including the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any other similar organization) regulating any Lender; (i) to any rating agency when required by it (it being understood that, prior to any such disclosure, such rating agency shall undertake to preserve the confidentiality of any Information relating to the Loan Parties received by it from such Lender); (j) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder to the extent reasonably necessary in connection with such enforcement or (k) to any direct or indirect contractual counterparty in swap agreements or such contractual counterparty’s professional advisor (so long as such contractual counterparty or professional advisor to such contractual counterparty agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Section 10.08 ). In addition, the Agents and the Lenders may disclose the existence of this Agreement and information about this Agreement to market data collectors, similar service providers to the lending industry, and service providers to the Agents and the Lenders in connection with the administration and management of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, the Commitments, and the Credit Extensions. For the purposes of this Section 10.08 , “ Information ” means all information received from any Loan Party relating to any Loan Party or its business, other than any such information that is publicly available to any Agent or any Lender prior to disclosure by any Loan Party other than as a result of a breach of this Section 10.08 .

 

Credit Agreement

146


SECTION 10.09. Setoff . In addition to any rights and remedies of the Lenders provided by Law, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, after obtaining the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, each Lender is authorized at any time and from time to time, without prior notice to the Borrowers or any other Loan Party, any such notice being waived by each of the Borrowers (on its own behalf and on behalf of each Loan Party) to the fullest extent permitted by Law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held by, and other Indebtedness at any time owing by, such Lender to or for the credit or the account of the respective Loan Parties against any and all Obligations owing to such Lender hereunder or under any other Loan Document, now or hereafter existing, irrespective of whether or not such Agent or such Lender shall have made demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such Obligations may be contingent or unmatured or denominated in a currency different from that of the applicable deposit or Indebtedness. Each Lender agrees promptly to notify the BV Borrower and the Administrative Agent after any such set off and application made by such Lender; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application. The rights of the Administrative Agent and each Lender under this Section 10.09 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including, without limitation, other rights of setoff) that the Administrative Agent and such Lender may have. Notwithstanding anything herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary, in no event shall the assets of any Foreign Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party constitute security, or shall the proceeds of such assets be available for, payment of the Obligations of any Borrower or any Domestic Subsidiary, it being understood that (a) the Equity Interests of any Foreign Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party do not constitute such an asset and (a) the provisions hereof shall not limit, reduce or otherwise diminish in any respect the Borrowers’ obligations to make any mandatory prepayment pursuant to Section 2.05(b)(ii) .

SECTION 10.10. Interest Rate Limitation . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Law (the “ Maximum Rate ”). If any Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to the Borrowers. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by an Agent or a Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.

SECTION 10.11. Counterparts . This Agreement and each other Loan Document may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery by telecopier of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement and each other Loan Document shall be effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Agreement and such other Loan Document. The Agents may also require that any such documents and signatures delivered by telecopier be confirmed by a manually signed original thereof; provided that the failure to request or deliver the same shall not limit the effectiveness of any document or signature delivered by telecopier.

 

Credit Agreement

147


SECTION 10.12. Integration . This Agreement, together with the other Loan Documents, comprises the complete and integrated agreement of the parties on the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersedes all prior agreements, written or oral, on such subject matter. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and those of any other Loan Document, the provisions of this Agreement shall control; provided that the inclusion of supplemental rights or remedies in favor of the Agents or the Lenders in any other Loan Document shall not be deemed a conflict with this Agreement. Each Loan Document was drafted with the joint participation of the respective parties thereto and shall be construed neither against nor in favor of any party, but rather in accordance with the fair meaning thereof.

SECTION 10.13. Survival of Representations and Warranties . All representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan Document or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof. Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by each Agent and each Lender, regardless of any investigation made by any Agent or any Lender or on their behalf and notwithstanding that any Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default at the time of any Credit Extension, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any Loan or any other Obligation (other than contingent indemnification obligations to the extent not then due and payable or Letters of Credit that have been cash collateralized in a manner satisfactory to the applicable L/C Issuer) hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding except as set forth in Section 2.03(g) .

SECTION 10.14. Severability . If any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

SECTION 10.15. Tax Forms . (a) (i) Each Lender and Agent that is not a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code that lends to the US Borrower (each, a “Non-US Lender”) shall deliver to the US Borrower and the Administrative Agent, on or prior to the date which is ten (10) Business Days after the Closing Date (or upon accepting an assignment of an interest herein), two duly signed, properly completed copies of either IRS Form W-8BEN or any successor thereto (relating to such Non-US Lender and entitling it to an exemption from, or reduction of, United States withholding tax on all payments to be made to such Non-US Lender by the US Borrower pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document) or IRS Form W-8ECI or any successor thereto (relating to all payments to be made to such Non-US Lender by the US Borrower pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document) or such other evidence reasonably satisfactory to the US Borrower and the Administrative Agent that such Non-US Lender is entitled to an exemption from, or reduction of, United States withholding tax, including any exemption pursuant to Section 881(c) of the Code, and in the case of a Non-US Lender claiming such an exemption under Section 881(c) of the Code, a certificate that establishes in writing to the US Borrower and the Administrative Agent that such Non-US Lender is not (i) a “bank” as defined in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (ii) a 10 percent shareholder within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, or (iii) a controlled foreign corporation related to the US Borrower with the meaning of Section 864(d) of the Code. Thereafter and from time to time, each such Non-US Lender shall (A) promptly submit to the US Borrower and the Administrative Agent such additional duly and properly completed and signed copies of one or more of such forms or certificates (or

 

Credit Agreement

148


such successor forms or certificates as shall be adopted from time to time by the relevant United States taxing authorities) as may then be available under then current United States laws and regulations to avoid, or such evidence as is reasonably satisfactory to the US Borrower and the Administrative Agent of any available exemption from, or reduction of, United States withholding taxes in respect of all payments to be made to such Non-US Lender by the US Borrower pursuant to this Agreement, or any other Loan Document, in each case, (1) on or before the date that any such form, certificate or other evidence expires or becomes obsolete, (2) after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent form, certificate or evidence previously delivered by it to the US Borrower and the Administrative Agent and (3) from time to time thereafter if reasonably requested by the US Borrower or the Administrative Agent, and (B) promptly notify the US Borrower and the Administrative Agent of any change in circumstances which would modify or render invalid any claimed exemption or reduction.

(ii) Each Non-US Lender, to the extent it does not act or ceases to act for its own account with respect to any portion of any sums paid or payable to such Non-US Lender under any of the Loan Documents (for example, in the case of a typical participation by such Non-US Lender), shall deliver to the US Borrower and the Administrative Agent on the date when such Non-US Lender ceases to act for its own account with respect to any portion of any such sums paid or payable, and at such other times as may be necessary in the determination of the US Borrower or the Administrative Agent (in either case, in the reasonable exercise of its discretion), (A) two duly signed, properly completed copies of the forms or statements required to be provided by such Non-US Lender as set forth above, to establish the portion of any such sums paid or payable with respect to which such Non-US Lender acts for its own account that is not subject to United States withholding tax, and (B) two duly signed, properly completed copies of IRS Form W-8IMY (or any successor thereto), together with any information such Non-US Lender chooses to transmit with such form, and any other certificate or statement of exemption required under the Code, to establish that such Non-US Lender is not acting for its own account with respect to a portion of any such sums payable to such Non-US Lender.

(iii) Each Lender and Agent that is a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code that lends to the US Borrower shall deliver to the US Borrower and the Administrative Agent, on or prior to the date which is ten (10) Business Days after the Closing Date (or upon accepting an assignment of an interest herein) and within fifteen (15) days after a reasonable written request of the US Borrower or Administrative Agent from time to time thereafter, a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-9 or any successor form (including all required attachments) certifying as to such Lender’s entitlement to an exemption from U.S. backup withholding and other applicable forms, certificates or documents prescribed by the IRS requested by the US Borrower or Administrative Agent. Each such US Lender shall promptly notify the US Borrower and Administrative Agent at any time it determines that any certificate previously delivered is no longer valid.

(iv) If any form or document referred to in this Section 10.15 requires the disclosure of information, other than information necessary to compute the tax payable and information required on the date hereof by Internal Revenue Service, that the applicable Non-US Lender reasonably considers to be confidential, such Lender shall give notice thereof to the Borrower and shall not be obligated to include in such form or document such confidential information.

(v) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 10.15 , a Lender shall not be required to deliver any form that such Lender is not legally able to deliver.

(vi) The US Borrower shall not be required to pay any additional amount or any indemnity payment under Section 3.01(a) (and to the extent it relates to Taxes, Section 3.01(c) ) to any Non-US Lender with respect to any Taxes required to be deducted or withheld by reason of such Non-US Lender’s failure to satisfy the foregoing provisions of this Section 10.15(a) , with respect to Taxes required to be

 

Credit Agreement

149


deducted or withheld by reason of such US Lender’s failure; provided that if such Lender shall have satisfied the requirement of this Section 10.15(a) on the date such Lender became a Lender to the US Borrower or ceased to act for its own account with respect to any payment under any of the Loan Documents, nothing in this Section 10.15(a) shall relieve the US Borrower of its obligation to pay any amounts pursuant to Section 3.01 if such Lender’s failure to satisfy the provisions of Section 10.15(a) is reasonably the result of any change in any applicable Law, treaty or governmental rule, regulation or order, or any change in the interpretation, administration or application thereof.

(vii) The Administrative Agent may deduct and withhold any taxes required by any Laws to be deducted and withheld from any payment under any of the Loan Documents.

SECTION 10.16. Process Agent . Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 10.02 . In addition, each Loan Party not organized in the United States of America or a state thereof hereby irrevocably appoints C T Corporation System (the “ Process Agent ”) with an office on the date hereof at 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10011 in the United States, as its agent to receive on behalf of such Loan Party service of copies of the summons and complaint and any other process that may be served in any such action or proceeding. Such service may be made by mailing or delivering a copy of such process to such Loan Party in care of the Process Agent at the Process Agent’s above address, and such Loan Party hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs the Process Agent to receive such service on its behalf. As an alternative method of service, each Loan Party not organized in the United States of America or a state thereof also irrevocably consents to the service of any and all process in any such action or proceeding by the mailing of copies of such process to such Loan Party at its address specified in Section 10.02 (such service to be effective seven days after mailing thereof). Each Loan Party not organized in the United States of America or a state thereof covenants and agrees that it shall take any and all reasonable action, including the execution and filing of any and all documents, that may be necessary to continue the designation of the Process Agent above in full force and effect, and to cause the Process Agent to continue to act as such. Nothing in this Section 10.16 shall affect the right of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by applicable law or affect the right of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to bring any suit, action or proceeding against each Loan Party or its property in the courts of other jurisdictions.

SECTION 10.17. GOVERNING LAW . (a) THIS AGREEMENT AND EACH OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

(b) ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK CITY OR OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF SUCH STATE, AND BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT, EACH BORROWER, EACH AGENT AND EACH LENDER CONSENTS, FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THOSE COURTS. EACH BORROWER, EACH AGENT AND EACH LENDER IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION, INCLUDING ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OR BASED ON THE GROUNDS OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS , WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE BRINGING OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH JURISDICTION IN RESPECT OF ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR OTHER DOCUMENT RELATED THERETO.

 

Credit Agreement

150


SECTION 10.18. WAIVER OF RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY . EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING UNDER ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS OF THE PARTIES HERETO OR ANY OF THEM WITH RESPECT TO ANY LOAN DOCUMENT, OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED THERETO, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER FOUNDED IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE; AND EACH PARTY HEREBY AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE DECIDED BY COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY, AND THAT ANY PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION 10.18 WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE SIGNATORIES HERETO TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

SECTION 10.19. Binding Effect . This Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by each Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall have been notified by each Lender, Swing Line Lender and the L/C Issuer that each such Lender, Swing Line Lender and the L/C Issuer has executed it and the conditions set forth in Section 4.01 shall have been satisfied or waived, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of each Borrower, each Agent and each Lender and their respective successors and assigns, except that no Borrower shall have the right to assign its rights hereunder or any interest herein without the prior written consent of the Lenders except as permitted by Section 7.04 .

SECTION 10.20. USA Patriot Act Notice . Each Lender that is subject to the Patriot Act and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Borrowers and the Guarantors that pursuant to the requirements of the Patriot Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Borrower and each Guarantor, which information includes the name and address of each Borrower and each Guarantor and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify each Borrower and each Guarantor in accordance with the Act.

SECTION 10.21. Supplemental Obligations . In order to provide for the creation and enforcement of security interests in Collateral under certain Foreign Security Agreements securing all of the Secured Obligations, each of the parties hereto hereby agrees as follows:

(a) The Borrowers hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agree and covenant with the Administrative Agent to pay directly to the Administrative Agent, as a creditor in its own right and not in its capacity as Administrative Agent, on the Administrative Agent’s first demand, amounts equal to, and in the currency of, the Secured Obligations as and when such amounts become due and payable in accordance with the terms and conditions of any of the Loan Documents (the obligations of the Borrowers under this Section 10.21(a), the “ Supplemental Obligations ”).

(b) The Borrowers and the Administrative Agent further agree and acknowledge that (i) the Supplemental Obligations are separate and independent from and without prejudice to the Secured Obligations under the Loan Documents and (ii) the Administrative Agent’s right to receive payment of the Supplemental Obligations represents a separate and independent claim from the claims of the Lenders to receive payments in respect of the Secured Obligations; provided that the aggregate amount at any time owing in respect of the Supplemental Obligations shall not exceed the aggregate amount then owing under the Secured Obligations.

 

Credit Agreement

151


(c) Any amount unconditionally and irrevocably paid by the Borrowers in satisfaction of the Secured Obligations pursuant to the Loan Documents shall equally reduce the aggregate amount due under the Supplemental Obligations in a like amount, and any amount unconditionally and irrevocably received or applied by any of the Lenders in satisfaction of the Secured Obligations, shall equally reduce the Supplemental Obligations.

(d) If, after enforcement of the rights of the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties under the Collateral Documents, there are insufficient proceeds to satisfy and discharge the Supplemental Obligations in full, the unpaid balance of the Supplemental Obligations shall then cease to exist, without prejudice, however, to (i) any other Obligations of the Borrower or any other Loan Party under any of the Loan Documents and (ii) any remedies of the Agents or the Lenders or any one of them under the Loan Documents.

(e) For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 10.21 shall not (i) be deemed to constitute a commitment of the Administrative Agent to make any advances or otherwise extend credit under or in respect of the Supplemental Obligations or otherwise and (ii) create any duties or obligations on the part of the Administrative Agent other than to hold the Supplemental Obligations.

SECTION 10.22. Affiliate Activities . Each of the Borrowers acknowledge that each Agent, each Arranger and each Lender (and each of their respective Affiliates) is a full service securities firm engaged, either directly or through Affiliates, in various activities, including securities trading, investment banking and financial advisory, investment management, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities and financial planning and benefits counseling for both companies and individuals. In the ordinary course of these activities, it may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and/or financial instruments (including bank loans) for its own account and for the accounts of its customers and may at any time hold long and short positions in such securities and/or instruments. Such investment and other activities may involve securities and instruments of the Borrowers and their respective Affiliates, as well as of other entities and Persons and their Affiliates which may (i) be involved in transactions arising from or relating to the engagement contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents, (ii) be customers or competitors of the Borrowers and their respective Affiliates, or (iii) have other relationships with the Borrowers and their respective Affiliates. In addition, such Agents, Arrangers and Lenders and each of their respective Affiliates may provide investment banking, underwriting and financial advisory services to such other entities and Persons. Such Agents, Arrangers and Lenders and each of their respective Affiliates may also co-invest with, make direct investments in, and invest or co-invest client monies in or with funds or other investment vehicles managed by other parties, and such funds or other investment vehicles may trade or make investments in securities of the Borrowers and their respective Affiliates or such other entities. The transactions contemplated by this Agreement and by the other Loan Documents may have a direct or indirect impact on the investments, securities or instruments referred to in this paragraph.

SECTION 10.23. No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility . In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), each of the Borrowers acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges and agrees that it has informed its other Affiliates, that: (i) (A) no fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship between any Borrower and their respective Subsidiaries and any Agent, any Arranger or any Lender is intended to be or has been created in respect of any of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents, irrespective of whether any Agent, any Arranger or any Lender has advised or is advising any of the Borrowers and their respective Subsidiaries on other matters, (B) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Agents, the Arrangers and the Lenders are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Borrowers and their respective Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the Agents, the Arrangers and the Lenders, on the other

 

Credit Agreement

152


hand, (C) each Borrower has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (D) each Borrower is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (ii) (A) the Agents, the Arrangers and the Lenders each is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as may otherwise be expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Borrowers or any of their respective Affiliates, or any other Person and (B) neither any Agent nor any Arranger nor any Lender has any obligation to the Borrowers or any of their respective Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (iii) the Agents, the Arrangers and the Lenders and each of their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrowers and their respective Affiliates, and neither any Agent nor any Arranger nor any Lender has any obligation to disclose any of such interests and transactions to the Borrowers or any of their respective Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by law, each Borrower hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against the Agents, the Arrangers and the Lenders with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby.

SECTION 10.24. Judgment Currency . The obligations of the Borrowers hereunder and under the other Loan Documents to make payments in Dollars or in Euros, as the case may be (the “ Obligation Currency ”), shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender or recovery pursuant to any judgment expressed in or converted into any currency other than the Obligation Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery results in the effective receipt by the Administrative Agent or a Lender of the full amount of the Obligation Currency expressed to be payable to the Administrative Agent or Lender under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents. If, for the purpose of obtaining or enforcing judgment against the Borrowers or any other Loan Party in any court or in any jurisdiction, it becomes necessary to convert into or from any currency other than the Obligation Currency (such other currency being hereinafter referred to as the “ Judgment Currency ”) an amount due in the Obligation Currency, the conversion shall be made, at the equivalent in such Obligation Currency of such amount (determined by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 1.08 using the applicable Exchange Rate with respect to such Obligation Currency), in each case, as of the date immediately preceding the day on which the judgment is given (such Business Day being hereinafter referred to as the “ Judgment Currency Conversion Date ”).

If there is a change in the rate of exchange prevailing between the Judgment Currency Conversion Date and the date of actual payment of the amount due, the Borrowers covenant and agree to pay, or cause to be paid, such additional amounts, if any (but in any event not a lesser amount), as may be necessary to ensure that the amount paid in the Judgment Currency, when converted at the rate of exchange prevailing on the date of payment, will produce the amount of the Obligation Currency which could have been purchased with the amount of Judgment Currency stipulated in the judgment or judicial award at the rate of exchange prevailing on the Judgment Currency Conversion Date.

For purposes of determining the Dollar Amount, such amounts shall include any premium and costs payable in connection with the purchase of the Obligation Currency.

[THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.]

 

Credit Agreement

153


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

 

SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES B.V.,
as BV Borrower
By:   /s/ Geert Braaksma
  Name:   Geert Braaksma
  Title:   Director
SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES FINANCE COMPANY, LLC,
as US Borrower
By:   /s/ Jeffrey Cote
  Name:   Jeffrey Cote
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer
SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS B.V.,
as Parent
By:   /s/ Geert Braaksma
  Name:   Geert Braaksma
  Title:   Director

 

Credit Agreement


MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR

FUNDING, INC.,

individually as an Initial Lender and as

Administrative Agent, Initial L/C Issuer and

Initial Swing Line Lender

By:   /s/ Stephen King
  Name:   Stephen King
  Title:   Vice President

 

Credit Agreement

Exhibit 10.2

EXECUTION VERSION

DOMESTIC GUARANTY

Dated as of May 12, 2011

From

THE GUARANTORS NAMED HEREIN

And

THE ADDITIONAL GUARANTORS REFERRED TO HEREIN

as Guarantors

in favor of

THE SECURED PARTIES REFERRED TO IN

THE CREDIT AGREEMENT REFERRED TO HEREIN


T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S

 

Section         Page  

Section 1.

  

Guaranty; Limitation of Liability

     1   

Section 2.

  

Guaranty Absolute

     2   

Section 3.

  

Waivers and Acknowledgments

     3   

Section 4.

  

Subrogation

     4   

Section 5.

  

Payments Free and Clear of Taxes, Etc.

     5   

Section 6.

  

Representations and Warranties

     5   

Section 7.

  

Covenants

     6   

Section 8.

  

Amendments, Guaranty Supplements, Etc.

     6   

Section 9.

  

Notices, Etc.

     7   

Section 10.

  

No Waiver; Remedies

     7   

Section 11.

  

Right of Set-off

     7   

Section 12.

  

Indemnification

     7   

Section 13.

  

Continuing Guaranty; Assignments under the Credit Agreement

     8   

Section 14.

  

Execution in Counterparts

     9   

Section 15.

  

Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial, Etc.

     9   

Exhibit A - Guaranty Supplement

 

Guaranty


DOMESTIC GUARANTY

DOMESTIC GUARANTY (this “ Guaranty ”) dated as of May 12, 2011 made by the Persons listed on the signature pages hereof under the caption “Subsidiary Guarantors” and the Additional Guarantors (as defined in Section 8(b) ) (such Persons so listed and the Additional Guarantors being, collectively, the “ Guarantors ” and, individually, each a “ Guarantor ”) in favor of the Secured Parties (as defined in the Credit Agreement referred to below).

PRELIMINARY STATEMENT.

SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES B.V., a private limited liability company ( besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid ) incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands (the “ BV Borrower ”), SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES FINANCE COMPANY, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ US Borrower ”; together with the BV Borrower, the “ Borrowers ”), SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES INTERMEDIATE HOLDING B.V., a private limited liability company ( besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid ) incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands , are party to a Credit Agreement dated as of May 12, 2011 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”; the capitalized terms defined therein and not otherwise defined herein being used herein as therein defined) with certain Lenders party thereto, the Initial L/C Issuer, the Initial Swing Line Lender and MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., as Administrative Agent. The Borrowers and the Guarantors have entered into or may from time to time enter into lines of credit (committed or uncommitted) and other similar arrangements (the “ Bilateral Obligations ”) with Lenders or their Affiliates and certain other financial institutions as initially set forth on Schedule XII of the Security Agreement and as such schedule may be amended from time to time upon written notice by the Borrowers to the applicable Lenders or Affiliates and certain other financial institutions (each, in such capacity, a “ Bilateral Provider ”).

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and in order to induce the Lenders to make Loans and to issue Letters of Credit under the Credit Agreement, the Bilateral Providers to provide Bilateral Obligations and the Hedge Banks to enter into Secured Hedge Agreements from time to time, each Guarantor, jointly and severally with each other Guarantor, hereby agrees as follows:

Section 1. Guaranty; Limitation of Liability . (a) Each Guarantor hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees the punctual payment when due, whether at scheduled maturity or on any date of a required prepayment or by acceleration, demand or otherwise, of (i) all Obligations of (A) the BV Borrower and (B) each Loan Party guaranteeing the Obligations of the BV Borrower, (ii) all obligations of the BV Borrower and each Restricted Subsidiary in respect of Cash Management Obligations and Secured Hedge Obligations and (iii) the Bilateral Obligations of each Bilateral Provider, in respect of each of the foregoing, whether now or hereafter existing (including, without limitation, any extensions, modifications, substitutions, amendments or renewals of any or all of the foregoing obligations), whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, and whether for principal, interest, premiums, fees, indemnities, contract causes of action, costs, expenses or otherwise (such obligations being the “ Guaranteed Obligations ”), and agrees to pay any and all reasonable expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable fees and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of counsel) incurred by the Administrative Agent in enforcing any rights under this Guaranty or any other Loan Document in accordance with Section 10.04 of the Credit Agreement (including reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of any law firm or other external counsel to the Administrative Agent); provided , however , that in no event shall the Guaranteed Obligations of any

 

Domestic Guaranty


Guarantor include any of its obligations as a Borrower under the Credit Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Guarantor’s liability shall extend to all amounts that constitute part of the Guaranteed Obligations and would be owed by any other Guarantor under or in respect of the Loan Documents but for the fact that they are unenforceable or not allowable due to the existence of a bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding involving such other Guarantor. Notwithstanding anything herein or the Credit Agreement to the contrary, (i) the aggregate principal amount of all Bilateral Obligations guaranteed hereby shall not exceed $40,000,000 and (ii) to the extent that Bilateral Obligations are cash collateralized or otherwise guaranteed (other than pursuant hereunder), such Bilateral Obligations shall not be guaranteed hereby.

(b) Each Guarantor (other than the BV Borrower), and by its acceptance of this Guaranty, the Administrative Agent, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such Persons that this Guaranty and the Obligations of each Guarantor hereunder not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law (as hereinafter defined), the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar foreign, federal or state Law to the extent applicable to this Guaranty and the Obligations of each Guarantor hereunder. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Administrative Agent, the other Secured Parties and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the Obligations of each Guarantor under this Guaranty at any time shall be limited to the maximum amount as will result in the Obligations of such Guarantor under this Guaranty not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance. For purposes hereof, “ Bankruptcy Law ” means any proceeding of the type referred to in Section 8.01(f) of the Credit Agreement or Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar foreign, federal or state Law for the relief of debtors.

(c) Each Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably agrees that in the event any payment shall be required to be made under this Guaranty, the Foreign Guaranty or any other guaranty, such Guarantor will contribute, to the maximum extent permitted by Law, such amounts to each other Guarantor and each other guarantor so as to maximize the aggregate amount paid to the Secured Parties under or in respect of the Loan Documents.

(d) To the extent that any Guarantor shall be required hereunder to pay a portion of the Guaranteed Obligations exceeding the greater of (a) the amount of the economic benefit actually received by such Guarantor from the Loans and (b) the amount such Guarantor would otherwise have paid if such Guarantor had paid the aggregate amount of the Guaranteed Obligations (excluding the amount thereof repaid by the Borrowers) in the same proportion as such Guarantor’s net worth at the date enforcement is sought hereunder bears to the aggregate net worth of all the Guarantors (taken together with the aggregate net worth of all other “ Guarantors ” (as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement) obligated with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations (the “ Other Guarantors ”)) at the date of enforcement is sought hereunder, then each Other Guarantor shall reimburse such other Guarantors for the amount of such excess, pro rata, based on the respective net worths of such Other Guarantors at the date enforcement hereunder is sought.

Section 2. Guaranty Absolute . Each Guarantor guarantees that the Guaranteed Obligations will be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents, regardless of any Law, regulation or order now or hereafter in effect in any jurisdiction affecting any of such terms or the rights of any with respect thereto. The Obligations of each Guarantor under or in respect of this Guaranty are independent of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other Obligations of any other Loan Party under or in respect of the Loan Documents, and a separate action or actions may be brought and prosecuted against each Guarantor to enforce this Guaranty, irrespective of whether any action is brought against the BV Borrower or any other Loan Party

 

Guaranty

2


or whether the BV Borrower or any other Loan Party is joined in any such action or actions. The liability of each Guarantor under this Guaranty shall be irrevocable, absolute and unconditional irrespective of, and each Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives any defenses it may now have or hereafter acquire in any way relating to, any or all of the following:

(a) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Loan Document or any agreement or instrument relating thereto;

(b) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other Obligations of any other Loan Party under or in respect of the Loan Documents, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to departure from any Loan Document, including, without limitation, any increase in the Guaranteed Obligations resulting from the extension of additional credit to any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries or otherwise;

(c) any taking, exchange, release or non-perfection of any Collateral or any other collateral, or any taking, release or amendment or waiver of, or consent to departure from, any other guaranty, for all or any of the Guaranteed Obligations;

(d) any manner of application of Collateral or any other collateral, or proceeds thereof, to all or any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any manner of sale or other disposition of any Collateral or any other collateral for all or any of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other Obligations of any Loan Party under the Loan Documents or any other assets of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries;

(e) any change, restructuring or termination of the corporate structure or existence of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries;

(f) any failure to disclose to any Loan Party any information relating to the business, condition (financial or otherwise), operations, performance, properties or prospects of any other Loan Party now or hereafter known (each Guarantor waiving any duty on the part of the Secured Parties to disclose such information);

(g) the failure of any other Person to execute or deliver this Guaranty, any Guaranty Supplement (as hereinafter defined) or any other guaranty or agreement or the release or reduction of liability of any Guarantor or other guarantor or surety with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations; or

(h) any other circumstance (including, without limitation, any statute of limitations) or any existence of or reliance on any representation that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, any Loan Party or any other guarantor or surety.

This Guaranty shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment of any of the Guaranteed Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by any other Person upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the BV Borrower or any other Loan Party or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made.

Section 3. Waivers and Acknowledgments . (a) Each Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waives promptness, diligence, notice of acceptance, presentment, demand for performance, notice of nonperformance, default,

 

Guaranty

3


acceleration, protest or dishonor and any other notice with respect to any of the Guaranteed Obligations and this Guaranty and any requirement that protect, secure, perfect or insure any Lien or any property subject thereto or exhaust any right or take any action against any Loan Party or any other Person or any Collateral.

(b) Each Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waives any right to revoke this Guaranty and acknowledges that this Guaranty is continuing in nature and applies to all Guaranteed Obligations, whether existing now or in the future.

(c) Each Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waives (i) any defense arising by reason of any claim or defense based upon an election of remedies that in any manner impairs, reduces, releases or otherwise adversely affects the subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution or indemnification rights of such Guarantor or other rights of such Guarantor to proceed against any of the other Loan Parties, any other guarantor or any other Person or any Collateral and (ii) any defense based on any right of set-off or counterclaim against or in respect of the Obligations of such Guarantor hereunder.

(d) Each Guarantor acknowledges that the Collateral Agent may, without notice to or demand upon such Guarantor and without affecting the liability of such Guarantor under this Guaranty, foreclose under any mortgage by nonjudicial sale, and each Guarantor hereby waives any defense to the recovery by the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties against such Guarantor of any deficiency after such nonjudicial sale and any defense or benefits that may be afforded by applicable Law.

(e) Each Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waives any duty to disclose to such Guarantor any matter, fact or thing relating to the business, condition (financial or otherwise), operations, performance, properties or prospects of any other Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries now or hereinafter known.

(f) Each Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive substantial direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by the Loan Documents and that the waivers set forth in Section 2 and this Section 3 are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

Section 4. Subrogation . Each Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably agrees not to exercise any rights that it may now have or hereafter acquire against the BV Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other insider guarantor that arise from the existence, payment, performance or enforcement of such Guarantor’s Obligations under or in respect of this Guaranty or any other Loan Document, including, without limitation, any right of subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution or indemnification and any right to participate in any claim or remedy against the BV Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other insider guarantor or any Collateral, whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity or under contract, statute or common Law, including, without limitation, the right to take or receive from the BV Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other insider guarantor, directly or indirectly, in cash or other property or by set-off or in any other manner, payment or security on account of such claim, remedy or right, unless and until all of the Guaranteed Obligations (other than (x) obligations with respect to Secured Hedge Agreements, (y) Cash Management Obligations not yet due and payable and (z) contingent indemnification obligations not yet accrued and payable under the Loan Documents) and all other amounts payable under this Guaranty shall have been paid in full in cash, all Letters of Credit shall have been cash collateralized or otherwise back-stopped, in each case, on terms required by the Credit Agreement or shall have expired or been terminated and the Commitments shall have expired or been terminated. If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor in violation of the immediately preceding

 

Guaranty

4


sentence at any time prior to the latest of (a) the payment in full in cash of the Guaranteed Obligations and all other amounts payable under this Guaranty, (b) the Maturity Date of the Term Loan Facility and (c) the latest date of cash collateralization or other back-stop, in each case, on the terms required by the Credit Agreement or the expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit, such amounts shall be received and held in trust for the benefit of the Secured Parties, shall be segregated from other property and funds of such Guarantor and shall forthwith be paid or delivered to the Administrative Agent in the same form as so received (with any necessary endorsement or assignment) to be credited and applied to the Guaranteed Obligations and all other amounts payable under this Guaranty, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents, or to be held as Collateral for any Guaranteed Obligations or other amounts payable under this Guaranty thereafter arising. If (i) any Guarantor shall make payment of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, (ii) all of the Guaranteed Obligations and all other amounts, if any, payable under this Guaranty shall have been paid in full in cash, (iii) the Maturity Date of the Term Loan Facility shall have occurred and (iv) all Letters of Credit shall have been cash collateralized or otherwise back-stopped, in each case, on the terms required under the Credit Agreement, or shall have expired or been terminated, the Secured Parties will, at such Guarantor’s request and expense, execute and deliver to such Guarantor appropriate documents, without recourse and without representation or warranty, necessary to evidence the transfer by subrogation to such Guarantor of an interest in the Guaranteed Obligations resulting from such payment made by such Guarantor pursuant to this Guaranty.

Section 5. Payments Free and Clear of Taxes, Etc .

(a) Any payment made by a Guarantor pursuant to this Guaranty which results in the imposition of Taxes which would not have been imposed had the payment been made by the BV Borrower shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any such Taxes; provided that if a Guarantor shall be required to deduct any such Taxes from such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums paid under this section) the Administrative Agent, Lender or L/C Issuer (as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) such Guarantor shall make such deductions and (iii) such Guarantor shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant taxation authority or other authority in accordance with applicable Law. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 5 shall be read as an obligation of the Guarantors that is in addition to their Guarantee of the BV Borrower’s obligations to indemnify for Taxes and Other Taxes pursuant to Section 3.01 of the Credit Agreement and shall not relieve a Guarantor of its obligations to make payments pursuant to Section 3.01 of the Credit Agreement on the relevant Borrower’s behalf.

Section 6. Representations and Warranties . Each Guarantor hereby makes each representation and warranty made in the Loan Documents by the Borrowers with respect to such Guarantor and each Guarantor hereby further represents and warrants as follows:

(a) There are no conditions precedent to the effectiveness of this Guaranty that have not been satisfied or waived.

(b) Such Guarantor has, independently and without reliance upon any and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Guaranty and each other Loan Document to which it is or is to be a party, and such Guarantor has established adequate means of obtaining from each other Loan Party on a continuing basis information pertaining to, and is now and on a continuing basis will

 

Guaranty

5


be familiar with, the business, condition (financial or otherwise), operations, performance, properties and prospects of such other Loan Party.

Section 7. Covenants . Each Guarantor (other than the BV Borrower) covenants and agrees that, so long as any part of the Guaranteed Obligations shall remain unpaid, any Letter of Credit shall be outstanding and not cash collateralized or otherwise back-stopped in accordance with the Cash Collateralization or back-to-back letter of credit provisions set forth in Section 2.03(g) of the Credit Agreement or any Lender shall have any Commitment, such Guarantor will perform and observe, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to perform and observe, all of the terms, covenants and agreements set forth in the Loan Documents on its or their part to be performed or observed or that the BV Borrower has agreed to cause such Guarantor or such Subsidiaries to perform or observe.

Section 8. Amendments, Guaranty Supplements, Etc .

(a) No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Guaranty and no consent to any departure by any Guarantor therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided , however , that no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by all of the Secured Parties (other than any Lender that is, at such time, a Defaulting Lender), (a) reduce or limit the obligations of any Guarantor hereunder, release any Guarantor hereunder or otherwise limit any Guarantor’s liability with respect to the Obligations owing to the Secured Parties under or in respect of the Loan Documents except as provided in the next succeeding sentence, (b) postpone any date fixed for payment hereunder or (c) change the number of Secured Parties or the percentage of (x) the Commitments, (y) the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans or (z) the aggregate Available Amount of outstanding Letters of Credit that, in each case, shall be required for the Secured Parties or any of them to take any action hereunder. Upon the sale of a Guarantor to the extent permitted in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents, such Guarantor (other than the BV Borrower) shall be automatically released from this Guaranty; provided that no such release shall occur if such Guarantor is a guarantor in respect of any Specified Junior Financing Obligations, unless such Guarantor is released from its obligations with respect to such Specified Junior Financing Obligations. The Administrative Agent will, at such Guarantor’s expense, execute and deliver to such Guarantor such documents as such Guarantor shall reasonably request to evidence the release of such Guarantor from its Guarantee hereunder pursuant to this Section 8 ; provided that such Guarantor shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a written request therefor and a certificate of such Guarantor to the effect that the transaction is in compliance with the Loan Documents. The Administrative Agent shall be authorized to rely on any such certificate without independent investigation.

(b) Upon the execution and delivery by any Person of a guaranty supplement in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto (each, a “ Guaranty Supplement ”), (i) such Person shall be referred to as an “ Additional Guarantor ” and shall become and be a Guarantor hereunder, and each reference in this Guaranty to a “ Guarantor ” shall also mean and be a reference to such Additional Guarantor, and each reference in any other Loan Document to a “ Guarantor ” shall also mean and be a reference to such Additional Guarantor, and (ii) each reference herein to “ this Guaranty ”, “ hereunder ”, “ hereof ” or words of like import referring to this Guaranty, and each reference in any other Loan Document to the “ Guaranty ”, “ thereunder ”, “ thereof ” or words of like import referring to this Guaranty, shall mean and be a reference to this Guaranty as supplemented by such Guaranty Supplement.

 

Guaranty

6


Section 9. Notices, Etc . All notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing (including telegraphic, telecopy or telex communication) and mailed, telegraphed, telecopied, telexed or delivered to it, if to any Guarantor, addressed to it in care of the BV Borrower at the BV Borrower’s address specified in Schedule 10.02 of the Credit Agreement, if to any Agent, at its address specified in Schedule 10.02 of the Credit Agreement, if to or any Lender, at its address specified in its Administrative Questionnaire, if to any Hedge Bank, at its address specified in the Secured Hedge Agreement to which it is a party, or, as to any party, at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to each other party. All such notices and other communications shall be deemed to be given or made at such time as shall be set forth in Section 10.02 of the Credit Agreement. Delivery by telecopier of an executed counterpart of a signature page to any amendment or waiver of any provision of this Guaranty or of any Guaranty Supplement to be executed and delivered hereunder shall be effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart thereof.

Section 10. No Waiver; Remedies . No failure on the part of any to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right. The remedies herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by Law.

Section 11. Right of Set-off . Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Administrative Agent and, after obtaining the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, each other Agent and each Lender and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, but excluding payroll, tax and trust accounts) at any time held and other indebtedness at any time owing by such Agent, such Lender or such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of any Guarantor against any and all of the Obligations of such Guarantor now or hereafter existing under the Loan Documents, irrespective of whether such Agent or such Lender shall have made any demand under this Guaranty or any other Loan Document and although such Obligations may be unmatured. Each Agent and each Lender agrees promptly to notify such Guarantor after any such set-off and application; provided , however , that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application. The rights of each Agent and each Lender and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including, without limitation, other rights of set-off) that such Agent, such Lender and their respective Affiliates may have.

Section 12. Indemnification . (a) Without limitation on any other Obligations of any Guarantor or remedies under this Guaranty, each Guarantor shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify, defend and save and hold harmless each of their Affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and advisors (each, an “Indemnified Party”) from and against, any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities and expenses (including, without limitation, Attorney Costs) (which shall be limited to one (1) counsel to the Administrative Agent and the Secured Parties (exclusive of one local counsel to the Administrative Agent and the Secured Parties in each appropriate jurisdiction), unless (x) the interests of the Administrative Agent and the Secured Parties are sufficiently divergent, in which case one (1) additional counsel may be appointed and (y) if the interests of any Loan Party or group of Loan Parties (other than all of the Loan Parties) are distinctly or disproportionately affected, one (1) additional counsel for such

 

Guaranty

7


Loan Party or group of Loan Parties in connection with the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance or administration of any Loan Document or any other agreement, letter or instrument delivered in connection with the transactions contemplated thereby or the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby) that may be actually incurred by or awarded against any Indemnified Party in connection with or as a result of any failure of any Guaranteed Obligations to be the legal, valid and binding obligations of any Loan Party enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with their terms.

(b) Each Guarantor hereby also agrees that none of the Indemnified Parties shall have any liability (whether direct or indirect, in contract, tort or otherwise) to any of the Guarantors or any of their respective Affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and advisors, and each Guarantor hereby agrees not to assert any claim against any Indemnified Party on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages arising out of or otherwise relating to the Facilities, the actual or proposed use of the proceeds of the Loans or the Letters of Credit, the Loan Documents or any of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents.

(c) Each of the Indemnified Parties hereby also agrees that none of the Guarantors shall have any liability (whether direct or indirect, in contract, tort or otherwise) to any of the Indemnified Parties or any of their respective Affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and advisors, and each of the Indemnified Parties hereby agrees not to assert any claim against any Guarantor on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages arising out of or otherwise relating to the Facilities, the actual or proposed use of the proceeds of the Loans or the Letters of Credit, the Loan Documents or any of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents.

(d) Without prejudice to the survival of any of the other agreements of any Guarantor under this Guaranty or any of the other Loan Documents, the agreements and obligations of each Guarantor contained in Section 1(a) (with respect to enforcement expenses), the last sentence of Section 2 , Section 5 and this Section 12 shall survive the payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations and all of the other amounts payable under this Guaranty.

Section 13. Continuing Guaranty; Assignments under the Credit Agreement . This Guaranty is a continuing guaranty and shall (a) remain in full force and effect until the latest of (i) the payment in full in cash of the Guaranteed Obligations (other than with respect to the Secured Hedge Agreement and the Cash Management Obligations that are not yet due and payable and contingent indemnification obligations for which no claim has been asserted) and all other amounts payable under this Guaranty, (ii) the Maturity Date of the Term Loan Facility and (iii) the latest date of cash collateralization or other back-stop, in each case, on the terms required by the Credit Agreement, or expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit, (b) be binding upon each Guarantor, its successors and assigns and (c) inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Secured Parties and their successors, transferees and assigns. Without limiting the generality of clause (c) of the immediately preceding sentence, any Loan Party may assign or otherwise transfer all or any portion of its rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement (including, without limitation, all or any portion of its Commitments, the Loans owing to it and the Note or Notes held by it) to any other Person, and such other Person shall thereupon become vested with all the benefits in respect thereof granted herein or otherwise, in each case as and to the extent provided in Section 10.07 of the Credit Agreement. Except as expressly provided in the Credit Agreement, no Guarantor shall have the right to assign its rights hereunder or any interest herein without the prior written consent of the Secured Parties.

 

Guaranty

8


Section 14. Execution in Counterparts . This Guaranty and each amendment, waiver and consent with respect hereto may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties thereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Guaranty by telecopier shall be effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Guaranty.

Section 15. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial, Etc .

(a) This Guaranty shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

(b) Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of any New York State court or federal court of the United States of America sitting in New York City, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Guaranty or any of the other Loan Documents to which it is or is to be a party, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in any such New York State court or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court. Each Guarantor agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Guaranty or any other Loan Document shall affect any right that any party may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Guaranty or any other Loan Document in the courts of any jurisdiction.

(c) Each Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Guaranty or any of the other Loan Documents to which it is or is to be a party in any New York State or federal court. Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such suit, action or proceeding in any such court.

(d) EACH GUARANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, THE LOANS OR THE ACTIONS OF ANY LOAN PARTY IN THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, PERFORMANCE OR ENFORCEMENT THEREOF.

 

Guaranty

9


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Guarantor has caused this Guaranty to be duly executed and delivered by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above written.

 

SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS

SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES FINANCE COMPANY, LLC

By:   /s/ Jeffrey Cote
  Name: Jeffrey Cote
  Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

Domestic Guaranty


SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
By:   /s/ Jeffrey Cote
  Name:   Jeffrey Cote
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer

 

Domestic Guaranty


SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES MASSACHUSETTS, INC.
By:   /s/ Jeffrey Cote
  Name:   Jeffrey Cote
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer

 

Domestic Guaranty


Exhibit A To

The Domestic Guaranty

FORM OF DOMESTIC GUARANTY SUPPLEMENT

                      , 20     

Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as Administrative Agent

One Pierrepont Plaza, 7th Floor

300 Cadman Plaza West

Brooklyn, NY 11201

Attn: Larry Benison / Gerard Jordan

Phone: (718) 754-7299 / 7422

Fax:      (718) 754-7249 / 7250

Credit Agreement dated as of May 12, 2011 amongSENSATA TECHNOLOGIES B.V., a private limited liability company ( besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid ) incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands (the “ BV Borrower ”), SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES FINANCE COMPANY, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ US Borrower ”), SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES INTERMEDIATE HOLDING B.V., a private limited liability company ( besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid ) incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands, certain Lender party thereto, the Initial L/C Issuer, the Initial Swing Line Lender and MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., as Administrative Agent.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to the above-captioned Credit Agreement and to the Domestic Guaranty referred to therein (such Domestic Guaranty, as in effect on the date hereof and as it may hereafter be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, together with this Guaranty Supplement, being the “ Guaranty ”). The capitalized terms defined in the Guaranty or in the Credit Agreement and not otherwise defined herein are used herein as therein defined.

Section 1. Guaranty; Limitation of Liability . (a) The undersigned hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees the punctual payment when due, whether at scheduled maturity or on any date of a required prepayment or by acceleration, demand or otherwise, of all Obligations of the BV Borrower, each Loan Party guaranteeing the Obligations of the BV Borrower and each other Restricted Subsidiary which is an obligor with respect to the Cash Management Obligations now or hereafter existing under or in respect of the Loan Documents (including, without limitation, any extensions, modifications, substitutions, amendments or renewals of any or all of the foregoing Obligations), whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, and whether for principal, interest, premiums, fees, indemnities, contract causes of action, costs, expenses or otherwise and the Bilateral Obligations of each Bilateral Provider (such Obligations being the “ Guaranteed Obligations ”), and agrees to pay any and all expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable fees and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of counsel) incurred by the Administrative Agent or any other in enforcing any rights under this Guaranty Supplement, the Guaranty or any other Loan Document in

 

Domestic Guaranty


accordance with Section 10.04 of the Credit Agreement (including reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of any law firm or other external counsel to the Administrative Agent); provided, however , that in no event shall the Guaranteed Obligations of any Guarantor include any of its obligations as a Borrower under the Credit Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the undersigned’s liability shall extend to all amounts that constitute part of the Guaranteed Obligations and would be owed by any other Loan Party under or in respect of the Loan Documents but for the fact that they are unenforceable or not allowable due to the existence of a bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding involving such other Loan Party. Notwithstanding anything herein or the Credit Agreement to the contrary, (i) the aggregate principal amount of all Bilateral Obligations guaranteed hereby shall not exceed $40,000,000 and (ii) to the extent that Bilateral Obligations are cash collateralized or otherwise guaranteed (other than pursuant hereunder), such Bilateral Obligations shall not be guaranteed hereby.

(b) The undersigned, and by its acceptance of this Guaranty Supplement, the Administrative Agent, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such Persons that this Guaranty Supplement, the Guaranty and the Obligations of the undersigned hereunder and thereunder not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar foreign, federal or state law to the extent applicable to this Guaranty Supplement, the Guaranty and the Obligations of the undersigned hereunder and thereunder. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Administrative Agent, the other Secured Parties and the undersigned hereby irrevocably agree that the Obligations of the undersigned under this Guaranty Supplement and the Guaranty at any time shall be limited to the maximum amount as will result in the Obligations of the undersigned under this Guaranty Supplement and the Guaranty not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

(c) The undersigned hereby unconditionally and irrevocably agrees that in the event any payment shall be required to be made under this Guaranty Supplement, the Guaranty, the Foreign Guaranty; or any other guaranty, the undersigned will contribute, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, such amounts to each other Guarantor and each other guarantor so as to maximize the aggregate amount paid to the Secured Parties under or in respect of the Loan Documents.

(d) To the extent that any Guarantor shall be required hereunder to pay a portion of the Guaranteed Obligations exceeding the greater of (a) the amount of the economic benefit actually received by such Guarantor from the Loans and (b) the amount such Guarantor would otherwise have paid if such Guarantor had paid the aggregate amount of the Guaranteed Obligations (excluding the amount thereof repaid by the Borrowers) in the same proportion as such Guarantor’s net worth at the date enforcement is sought hereunder bears to the aggregate net worth of all the Guarantors (taken together with the aggregate net worth of all other “ Guarantors ” (as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement) obligated with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations (the “ Other Guarantors ”)) at the date of enforcement is sought hereunder, then each Other Guarantor shall reimburse such other Guarantors for the amount of such excess, pro rata, based on the respective net worths of such Other Guarantors at the date enforcement hereunder is sought.

Section 2. Obligations Under the Guaranty . The undersigned hereby agrees, as of the date first above written, to be bound as a Guarantor by all of the terms and conditions of the Guaranty to the same extent as each of the other Guarantors thereunder. The undersigned further agrees, as of the date first above written, that each reference in the Guaranty to an “ Additional Guarantor ” or a “ Guarantor ” shall also mean and be a reference to the undersigned, and each reference in any other Loan Document to a “ Guarantor ” or a “ Loan Party ” shall also mean and be a reference to the undersigned.

 

Domestic Guaranty

2


Section 3. Representations and Warranties . The undersigned hereby makes each representation and warranty set forth in Section 6 of the Guaranty to the same extent as each other Guarantor.

Section 4. Delivery by Telecopier . Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Guaranty Supplement by telecopier shall be effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Guaranty Supplement.

Section 5. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial, Etc . (a) This Guaranty Supplement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

(b) The undersigned hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of any New York State court or any federal court of the United States of America sitting in New York City, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Guaranty Supplement, the Guaranty or any of the other Loan Documents to which it is or is to be a party, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and the undersigned hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in any such New York State court or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court. The undersigned agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Guaranty Supplement or the Guaranty or any other Loan Document shall affect any right that any party may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Guaranty Supplement, the Guaranty or any of the other Loan Documents to which it is or is to be a party in the courts of any other jurisdiction.

(c) The undersigned irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Guaranty Supplement, the Guaranty or any of the other Loan Documents to which it is or is to be a party in any New York State or federal court. The undersigned hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such suit, action or proceeding in any such court.

(d) THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, THE LOANS OR THE ACTIONS IN THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, PERFORMANCE OR ENFORCEMENT THEREOF.

 

Very truly yours,
[NAME OF ADDITIONAL GUARANTOR]
By    
  Title:  

 

Domestic Guaranty

3

Exhibit 10.3

EXECUTION VERSION

BV BORROWER GUARANTY

Dated as of May 12, 2011

From

SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES B.V.

as Guarantor

in favor of

THE SECURED PARTIES REFERRED TO IN

THE CREDIT AGREEMENT REFERRED TO HEREIN


T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S

 

Section         Page

Section 1.

   Guaranty; Limitation of Liability    1

Section 2.

   Guaranty Absolute    2

Section 3.

   Waivers and Acknowledgments    3

Section 4.

   Subrogation    4

Section 5.

   Payments Free and Clear of Taxes, Etc.    5

Section 6.

   Representations and Warranties    5

Section 7.

   Covenants    5

Section 8.

   Amendments, Guaranty Supplements, Etc.    5

Section 9.

   Notices, Etc.    6

Section 10.

   No Waiver; Remedies    6

Section 11.

   Right of Set-off    6

Section 12.

   Indemnification    6

Section 13.

   Continuing Guaranty; Assignments under the Credit Agreement    7

Section 14.

   Judgments    8

Section 15.

   Execution in Counterparts    8

Section 16.

   Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial, Etc.    8


BV BORROWER GUARANTY

BV BORROWER GUARANTY (this “Guaranty”) dated as of May 12, 2011 made by SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES B.V., a private limited liability company ( besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid ) incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands (the “ Guarantor ”), in favor of the Secured Parties (as defined in the Credit Agreement referred to below).

PRELIMINARY STATEMENT.

The Guarantor, SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES FINANCE COMPANY, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ US Borrower ”; together with the Guarantor, the “ Borrowers ”), and SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES INTERMEDIATE HOLDING B.V., a private limited liability company ( besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid ) incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands, are party to a Credit Agreement dated as of May 12, 2011 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”; the capitalized terms defined therein and not otherwise defined herein being used herein as therein defined) with certain Lenders party thereto, the Initial L/C Issuer, the Initial Swing Line Lender and MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., as Administrative Agent. The Borrowers have entered into or may from time to time enter into lines of credit (committed or uncommitted) and other similar arrangements (the “ Bilateral Obligations ”) with Lenders or their Affiliates and certain other financial institutions as initially set forth on Schedule XII of the Domestic Security Agreement and as such schedule may be amended from time to time upon written notice by the Borrowers to the applicable Lenders or Affiliates and certain other financial institutions (each, in such capacity, a “ Bilateral Provider ”).

The Guarantor may receive, directly or indirectly, a portion of the proceeds of the Loans under the Credit Agreement and will derive substantial direct and indirect benefits from the transactions contemplated by the Credit Agreement and from each Bilateral Provider’s Bilateral Obligations.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and in order to induce the Lenders to make Loans and to issue Letters of Credit under the Credit Agreement, the Bilateral Providers to provide Bilateral Obligations and the Hedge Banks to enter into Secured Hedge Agreements from time to time, the Guarantor hereby agrees as follows:

Section 1. Guaranty; Limitation of Liability . (a) The Guarantor hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees the punctual payment when due, whether at scheduled maturity or on any date of a required prepayment or by acceleration, demand or otherwise, of all Obligations of the US Borrower, all Cash Management Obligations of the US Borrower and all Secured Hedge Obligations of the US Borrower now or hereafter existing (including, without limitation, any extensions, modifications, substitutions, amendments or renewals of any or all of the foregoing Obligations), whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, and whether for principal, interest, premiums, fees, indemnities, contract causes of action, costs, expenses or otherwise and the Bilateral Obligations of each Bilateral Provider solely in respect of the US Borrower (such Obligations being the “ Guaranteed Obligations ”), and agrees to pay any and all reasonable expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable fees and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of counsel) incurred by the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party in enforcing any rights under this Guaranty or any other Loan Document in accordance with Section 10.04 of the Credit Agreement (including Attorney Costs of any law firm or other external counsel to the Administrative Agent); provided, however, that in no event shall the Guaranteed Obligations of the Guarantor include any of its obligations as a Borrower under the Credit Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Guarantor’s liability shall extend to all amounts that constitute part of the Guaranteed Obligations and would be owed by the US Borrower to any Secured Party under or in respect of the Loan Documents but for the fact that they are


unenforceable or not allowable due to the existence of a bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding involving the US Borrower. Notwithstanding anything herein or in the Credit Agreement to the contrary, (i) the aggregate principal amount of all Bilateral Obligations guaranteed hereby shall not exceed $40,000,000 and (ii) to the extent that Bilateral Obligations are cash collateralized or otherwise guaranteed (other than pursuant hereunder), such Bilateral Obligations shall not be guaranteed hereby.

(b) The Guarantor, and by its acceptance of this Guaranty, the Administrative Agent and each other Secured Party, hereby confirm that it is the intention of all such Persons that this Guaranty and the Obligations of the Guarantor hereunder not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law (as hereinafter defined), the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar foreign, federal or state Law to the extent applicable to this Guaranty and the Obligations of the Guarantor hereunder. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Administrative Agent, the other Secured Parties and the Guarantor hereby irrevocably agree that the Obligations of the Guarantor (other than in its capacity as a Borrower under the Credit Agreement) under this Guaranty at any time shall be limited to the maximum amount as will result in the Obligations of the Guarantor under this Guaranty not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance. For purposes hereof, “ Bankruptcy Law ” means any proceeding of the type referred to in Section 8.01(f) of the Credit Agreement or Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar foreign, federal or state Law for the relief of debtors.

(c) The Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably agrees that in the event any payment shall be required to be made to any Secured Party under this Guaranty or any other guaranty, the Guarantor will contribute, to the maximum extent permitted by Law, such amounts so as to maximize the aggregate amount paid to the Secured Parties under or in respect of the Loan Documents.

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document, the Guarantor shall not have any liability or obligation under this Guaranty to the extent that such liability or obligation would constitute unlawful financial assistance under the applicable Laws of the jurisdiction of the Guarantor.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Guaranty, no obligations shall be included in the definition of “Guaranteed Obligations” to the extent that, if included, this Guaranty or any part hereof would constitute a violation of the prohibition on financial assistance as contained in Section 2:98c or 2:207c of the Dutch Civil Code (the “ Prohibition ”) and this Guaranty is only legally binding on the Guarantor to the extent it will not be in violation of the Prohibition and all provisions of this Guaranty will be construed accordingly.

Section 2.  Guaranty Absolute . The Guarantor guarantees that the Guaranteed Obligations will be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents, regardless of any Law, regulation or order now or hereafter in effect in any jurisdiction affecting any of such terms or the rights of any Secured Party with respect thereto. The Obligations of the Guarantor under or in respect of this Guaranty are independent of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other Obligations of any other Loan Party under or in respect of the Loan Documents, and a separate action or actions may be brought and prosecuted against the Guarantor to enforce this Guaranty, irrespective of whether any action is brought against the US Borrower (in its capacity as Borrower under the Credit Agreement) or any other Loan Party or whether the US Borrower or any other Loan Party is joined in any such action or actions. The liability of the Guarantor under this Guaranty shall be irrevocable, absolute and unconditional irrespective of, and the Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives any defenses it may now have or hereafter acquire in any way relating to, any or all of the following:

(a) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Loan Document or any agreement or instrument relating thereto;

 

2


(b) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other Obligations of any other Loan Party under or in respect of the Loan Documents, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to departure from any Loan Document, including, without limitation, any increase in the Guaranteed Obligations resulting from the extension of additional credit to the US Borrower; provided that where such a waiver is unenforceable or where such a change would discharge the Guarantor of its liability under this Guaranty if made without its consent, the Guarantor hereby gives its consent to such change;

(c) any taking, exchange, release or non-perfection of any Collateral or any other collateral, or any taking, release or amendment or waiver of, or consent to departure from, any other guaranty, for all or any of the Guaranteed Obligations;

(d) any manner of application of Collateral or any other collateral, or proceeds thereof, to all or any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any manner of sale or other disposition of any Collateral or any other collateral for all or any of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other Obligations of any Loan Party under the Loan Documents or any other assets of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries;

(e) any change, restructuring or termination of the corporate structure or existence of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries;

(f) any failure of any Secured Party to disclose to any Loan Party any information relating to the business, condition (financial or otherwise), operations, performance, properties or prospects of any other Loan Party now or hereafter known to such Secured Party (the Guarantor waiving any duty on the part of the Secured Parties to disclose such information);

(g) the failure of any other Person to execute or deliver this Guaranty or any other guaranty or agreement or the release or reduction of liability of the Guarantor or other guarantor or surety with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations; or

(h) any other circumstance (including, without limitation, any statute of limitations) or any existence of or reliance on any representation by any Secured Party that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, any Loan Party or any other guarantor or surety to the extent permitted.

This Guaranty shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment of any of the Guaranteed Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by any Secured Party or any other Person upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the US Borrower (in its capacity as a Borrower under the Credit Agreement) or any other Loan Party or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made.

Section 3.  Waivers and Acknowledgments . (a) The Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waives promptness, diligence, notice of acceptance, presentment, demand for performance, notice of nonperformance, default, acceleration, protest or dishonor and any other notice with respect to any of the Guaranteed Obligations and this Guaranty and any requirement that any Secured Party protect, secure, perfect or insure any Lien or any property subject thereto or exhaust any right or take any action against any Loan Party or any other Person or any Collateral.

(b) The Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waives any right to revoke this Guaranty and, where it may not waive this right, the Guarantor agrees that this Guaranty will not be

 

3


revoked, and acknowledges that this Guaranty is continuing in nature and applies to all Guaranteed Obligations, whether existing now or in the future.

(c) The Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waives (i) any defense arising by reason of any claim or defense based upon an election of remedies by any Secured Party that in any manner impairs, reduces, releases or otherwise adversely affects the subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution or indemnification rights of the Guarantor or other rights of the Guarantor to proceed against any of the other Loan Parties, any other guarantor or any other Person or any Collateral and (ii) any defense based on any right of set-off or counterclaim against or in respect of the Obligations of the Guarantor hereunder.

(d) The Guarantor acknowledges that the Collateral Agent may, without notice to or demand upon the Guarantor and without affecting the liability of the Guarantor under this Guaranty, foreclose under any mortgage by nonjudicial sale, and the Guarantor hereby waives any defense to the recovery by the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties against the Guarantor of any deficiency after such nonjudicial sale and any defense or benefits that may be afforded by applicable Law.

(e) The Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waives any duty on the part of any Secured Party to disclose to the Guarantor any matter, fact or thing relating to the business, condition (financial or otherwise), operations, performance, properties or prospects of any other Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries now or hereafter known by such Secured Party.

(f) The Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive substantial direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by the Loan Documents and that the waivers set forth in Section 2 and this Section 3 are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

Section 4.  Subrogation . The Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably agrees not to exercise any rights that it may now have or hereafter acquire against the US Borrower that arise from the existence, payment, performance or enforcement of the Guarantor’s Obligations under or in respect of this Guaranty or any other Loan Document, including, without limitation, any right of subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution or indemnification and any right to participate in any claim or remedy of any Secured Party against the US Borrower or any Collateral, whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity or under contract, statute or common Law, including, without limitation, the right to take or receive from the US Borrower, directly or indirectly, in cash or other property or by set-off or in any other manner, payment or security on account of such claim, remedy or right, unless and until all of the Guaranteed Obligations (other than (x) obligations with respect to Secured Hedge Agreements, (y) Cash Management Obligations not yet due and payable and (z) contingent indemnification obligations not yet accrued and payable under the Loan Documents) and all other amounts payable under this Guaranty shall have been paid in full in cash, all Letters of Credit shall have been cash collateralized or otherwise back-stopped, in each case, on terms required by the Credit Agreement or shall have expired or been terminated and the Commitments shall have expired or been terminated. If any amount shall be paid to the Guarantor in violation of the immediately preceding sentence at any time prior to the latest of (a) the payment in full in cash of the Guaranteed Obligations and all other amounts payable under this Guaranty, (b) the Maturity Date of the Term Loan Facility and (c) the latest date of cash collateralization or other back-stop, in each case, on the terms required by the Credit Agreement or the expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit, such amounts shall be received and held in trust for the benefit of the Secured Parties, shall be segregated from other property and funds of the Guarantor and shall forthwith be paid or delivered to the Administrative Agent in the same form as so received (with any necessary endorsement or assignment) to be credited and applied to the Guaranteed Obligations and all other amounts payable under this Guaranty, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents, or to be held as Collateral for any Guaranteed

 

4


Obligations or other amounts payable under this Guaranty thereafter arising. If (i) the Guarantor shall make payment to any Secured Party of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, (ii) all of the Guaranteed Obligations and all other amounts, if any, payable under this Guaranty shall have been paid in full in cash, (iii) the Maturity Date of the Term Loan Facility shall have occurred and (iv) all Letters of Credit shall have been cash collateralized or otherwise back-stopped, in each case, on the terms required under the Credit Agreement, or shall have expired or been terminated, the Secured Parties will, at the Guarantor’s request and expense, execute and deliver to the Guarantor appropriate documents, without recourse and without representation or warranty, necessary to evidence the transfer by subrogation to the Guarantor of an interest in the Guaranteed Obligations resulting from such payment made by the Guarantor pursuant to this Guaranty.

Section 5.  Payments Free and Clear of Taxes, Etc . Any payment made by the Guarantor pursuant to this Guaranty which results in the imposition of Taxes which would not have been imposed had the payment been made by the US Borrower shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any such Taxes; provided that if the Guarantor shall be required to deduct any such Taxes from such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums paid under this section) the Administrative Agent, Lender or L/C Issuer (as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the Guarantor shall make such deductions and (iii) the Guarantor shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant taxation authority or other authority in accordance with applicable Law. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 5 shall be read as an obligation of the Guarantor that is in addition to its Guarantee of the US Borrower’s obligations to indemnify for Taxes and Other Taxes pursuant to Section 3.01 of the Credit Agreement and shall not relieve the Guarantor of its obligations to make payments pursuant to Section 3.01 of the Credit Agreement on the US Borrower’s behalf.

Section 6.  Representations and Warranties . The Guarantor hereby represents and warrants as follows:

(a) There are no conditions precedent to the effectiveness of this Guaranty that have not been satisfied or waived.

(b) The Guarantor has, independently and without reliance upon any Secured Party and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Guaranty and each other Loan Document to which it is or is to be a party, and the Guarantor has established adequate means of obtaining from the US Borrower on a continuing basis information pertaining to, and is now and on a continuing basis will be familiar with, the business, condition (financial or otherwise), operations, performance, properties and prospects of the US Borrower.

Section 7.  Covenants . The Guarantor (other than in its capacity as a Borrower under the Credit Agreement) covenants and agrees that, so long as any part of the Guaranteed Obligations shall remain unpaid, any Letter of Credit shall be outstanding and not cash collateralized or otherwise back-stopped in accordance with the Cash Collateralization or back-to-back letter of credit provisions set forth in Section 2.03(g) of the Credit Agreement or any Lender shall have any Commitment, the Guarantor will perform and observe, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to perform and observe, all of the terms, covenants and agreements set forth in the Loan Documents on its or their part to be performed or observed or that the US Borrower has agreed to cause the Guarantor to perform or observe.

Section 8. Amendments, Guaranty Supplements, Etc . (a) No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Guaranty and no consent to any departure by the Guarantor therefrom shall in any

 

5


event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided , however , that no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by all of the Secured Parties (other than any Lender that is, at such time, a Defaulting Lender), (a) reduce or limit the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder, release the Guarantor hereunder or otherwise limit the Guarantor’s liability with respect to the Obligations owing to the Secured Parties under or in respect of the Loan Documents except as provided in the next succeeding sentence, (b) postpone any date fixed for payment hereunder or (c) change the number of Secured Parties or the percentage of (x) the Commitments, (y) the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans or (z) the aggregate Available Amount of outstanding Letters of Credit that, in each case, shall be required for the Secured Parties or any of them to take any action hereunder.

Section 9.  Notices, Etc . All notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing (including telegraphic, telecopy or telex communication) and mailed, telegraphed, telecopied, telexed or delivered to it, if to the Guarantor, addressed to the BV Borrower’s address specified in Schedule 10.02 of the Credit Agreement, if to any Agent, at its address specified in Schedule 10.02 of the Credit Agreement, if to or any Lender, at its address specified in its Administrative Questionnaire, if to any Hedge Bank, at its address specified in the Secured Hedge Agreement to which it is a party, or, as to any party, at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to each other party. All such notices and other communications shall be deemed to be given or made at such time as shall be set forth in Section 10.02 of the Credit Agreement. Delivery by telecopier of an executed counterpart of a signature page to any amendment or waiver of any provision of this shall be effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart thereof.

Section 10.  No Waiver; Remedies . No failure on the part of any Secured Party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right. The remedies herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by Law.

Section 11.  Right of Set-off . Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Administrative Agent and, after obtaining the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, each other Agent and each Lender and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, but excluding payroll, tax and trust accounts) at any time held and other indebtedness at any time owing by such Agent, such Lender or such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Guarantor against any and all of the Obligations of the Guarantor now or hereafter existing under the Loan Documents, irrespective of whether such Agent or such Lender shall have made any demand under this Guaranty or any other Loan Document and although such Obligations may be unmatured. Each Agent and each Lender agrees promptly to notify the Guarantor after any such set-off and application; provided , however , that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application. The rights of each Agent and each Lender and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including, without limitation, other rights of set-off) that such Agent, such Lender and their respective Affiliates may have.

Section 12. Indemnification . (a) Without limitation on any other Obligations of any Guarantor or remedies of the Secured Parties under this Guaranty, the Guarantor shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify, defend and save and hold harmless each Secured Party and each of their Affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and advisors (each, an “ Indemnified Party ”) from and against, any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities and expenses (including, without

 

6


limitation, Attorney Costs) (which shall be limited to one (1) counsel to the Administrative Agent and the Secured Parties (exclusive of one local counsel to the Administrative Agent and the Secured Parties in each appropriate jurisdiction), unless (x) the interests of the Administrative Agent and the Secured Parties are sufficiently divergent, in which case one (1) additional counsel may be appointed and (y) if the interests of any Secured Party or group of Secured Parties (other than all of the Secured Parties) are distinctly or disproportionately affected, one (1) additional counsel for such Secured Party or group of Secured Parties in connection with the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance or administration of any Loan Document or any other agreement, letter or instrument delivered in connection with the transactions contemplated thereby or the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby) that may be actually incurred by or awarded against any Indemnified Party in connection with or as a result of any failure of any Guaranteed Obligations to be the legal, valid and binding obligations of any Loan Party enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with their terms.

(b) The Guarantor hereby also agrees that none of the Indemnified Parties shall have any liability (whether direct or indirect, in contract, tort or otherwise) to the Guarantor or any of its Affiliates or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents and advisors, and the Guarantor hereby agrees not to assert any claim against any Indemnified Party on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages arising out of or otherwise relating to the Facilities, the actual or proposed use of the proceeds of the Loans or the Letters of Credit, the Loan Documents or any of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents.

(c) Each of the Indemnified Parties hereby also agrees that the Guarantor shall have no liability (whether direct or indirect, in contract, tort or otherwise) to any of the Indemnified Parties or any of their respective Affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and advisors, and each of the Indemnified Parties hereby agrees not to assert any claim against the Guarantor on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages arising out of or otherwise relating to the Facilities, the actual or proposed use of the proceeds of the Loans or the Letters of Credit, the Loan Documents or any of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents.

(d) Without prejudice to the survival of any of the other agreements of the Guarantor under this Guaranty or any of the other Loan Documents (in its capacity as Guarantor hereunder), the agreements and obligations of the Guarantor contained in Section 1(a) (with respect to enforcement expenses), the last sentence of Section 2 , Section 5 and this Section 12 shall survive the payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations and all of the other amounts payable under this Guaranty.

Section 13.  Continuing Guaranty; Assignments under the Credit Agreement . This Guaranty is a continuing guaranty and shall (a) remain in full force and effect until the latest of (i) the payment in full in cash of the Guaranteed Obligations (other than with respect to the Secured Hedge Agreement and the Cash Management Obligations that are not yet due and payable and contingent indemnification obligations for which no claim has been asserted) and all other amounts payable under this Guaranty, (ii) the Maturity Date of the Term Loan Facility and (iii) the latest date of cash collateralization or other back-stop, in each case, on the terms required by the Credit Agreement, or expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit, (b) be binding upon the Guarantor, its successors and assigns and (c) inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Secured Parties and their successors, transferees and assigns. Without limiting the generality of clause (c) of the immediately preceding sentence, any Secured Party may assign or otherwise transfer all or any portion of its rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement (including, without limitation, all or any portion of its Commitments, the Loans owing to it and the Note or Notes held by it) to any other Person, and such other Person shall thereupon become vested with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to such Secured Party herein or otherwise, in each case as and to the extent provided in Section 10.07 of the Credit Agreement. Except as expressly provided in the Credit Agreement, the Guarantor shall not have the right

 

7


to assign its rights hereunder or any interest herein without the prior written consent of the Secured Parties.

Section 14.  Judgments . If for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder in Dollars or any other applicable currency (the “ Judgment Currency ”) into a different currency (the “ Other Currency ”), the parties hereto agree, to the fullest extent they may effectively do so, that the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Administrative Agent could purchase the Judgment Currency with such Other Currency at the spot rate of exchange quoted by the Administrative Agent at 11:00 a.m. on the Business Day preceding that on which final judgment is given (or such other rate as may be required by any applicable Law), for the purchase of the Judgment Currency, for delivery two Business Days thereafter.

Section 15.  Execution in Counterparts . This Guaranty and each amendment, waiver and consent with respect hereto may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties thereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Guaranty by telecopier shall be effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Guaranty.

Section 16.  Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial, Etc . (a) This Guaranty shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

(b) The Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the jurisdiction of any New York State court or federal court of the United States of America sitting in New York City, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Guaranty or any of the other Loan Documents to which it is or is to be a party, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and the Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in any such New York State court or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court. The Guarantor agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. The Guarantor hereby irrevocably appoints C T Corporation System with an office on the date hereof at 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10011 (the “ Process Agent ”) as its agent to receive and forward on behalf of itself the summons and complain and any other process which may be served in any such action or proceeding. Such service may be made by mailing or delivering a copy of such process to the Guarantor in the care of the Process Agent at the Process Agent’s address, and the Guarantor hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs the Process Agent to receive such service on its behalf. Nothing in this Guaranty or any other Loan Document shall affect any right that any party may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Guaranty or any other Loan Document in the courts of any jurisdiction.

(c) Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Guaranty or any of the other Loan Documents to which it is or is to be a party in any New York State or federal court. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such suit, action or proceeding in any such court.

(d) EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM

 

8


(WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, THE LOANS OR THE ACTIONS OF ANY SECURED PARTY IN THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, PERFORMANCE OR ENFORCEMENT THEREOF.

 

9


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Guarantor has caused this Guaranty to be duly executed and delivered by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above written.

 

SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
By:   /s/ Geert Braaksma
  Name:   Geert Braaksma
  Title:   Director

Exhibit 10.4

EXECUTION VERSION

FOREIGN GUARANTY

Dated as of May 12, 2011

From

THE GUARANTORS NAMED HEREIN

And

THE ADDITIONAL GUARANTORS REFERRED TO HEREIN

as Guarantors

in favor of

THE SECURED PARTIES REFERRED TO IN

THE CREDIT AGREEMENT REFERRED TO HEREIN

 

Foreign Guaranty


T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S

 

Section         Page  
     

Section 1.

   Guaranty; Limitation of Liability      1   

Section 2.

   Guaranty Absolute      3   

Section 3.

   Waivers and Acknowledgments      4   

Section 4.

   Subrogation      5   

Section 5.

   Payments Free and Clear of Taxes, Etc.      5   

Section 6.

   Representations and Warranties      6   

Section 7.

   Covenants      6   

Section 8.

   Amendments, Guaranty Supplements, Etc.      6   

Section 9.

   Notices, Etc.      7   

Section 10.

   No Waiver; Remedies      7   

Section 11.

   Right of Set-off      7   

Section 12.

   Indemnification      7   

Section 13.

   Continuing Guaranty; Assignments under the Credit Agreement      8   

Section 14.

   Judgments      9   

Section 15.

   Execution in Counterparts      9   

Section 16.

   Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial, Etc.      9   

Exhibit A - Guaranty Supplement

 

Foreign Guaranty


FOREIGN GUARANTY

FOREIGN GUARANTY dated as of May 12, 2011 made by the Persons listed on the signature pages hereof under the caption “Foreign Guarantors” and the Additional Guarantors (as defined in Section 8(b) ) (such Persons so listed and the Additional Guarantors being, collectively, the “ Guarantors ” and, individually, each a “ Guarantor ”) in favor of the Secured Parties (as defined in the Credit Agreement referred to below).

PRELIMINARY STATEMENT.

SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES B.V., a private limited liability company ( besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid ) incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands (the “ BV Borrower ”), SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES FINANCE COMPANY, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ US Borrower ”; together with the BV Borrower, the “ Borrowers ”), SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES INTERMEDIATE HOLDING B.V., a private limited liability company ( besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid ) incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands, are party to a Credit Agreement dated as of May 12, 2011 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”; the capitalized terms defined therein and not otherwise defined herein being used herein as therein defined) with certain Lenders party thereto, the Initial L/C Issuer, the Initial Swing Line Lender and MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., as Administrative Agent. The Borrowers and the Guarantors have entered into or may from time to time enter into lines of credit (committed or uncommitted) and other similar arrangements (the “ Bilateral Obligations ”) with Lenders or their Affiliates and certain other financial institutions as initially set forth on Schedule XII of the Domestic Security Agreement and as such schedule may be amended from time to time upon written notice by the Borrowers to the applicable Lenders or Affiliates and certain other financial institutions (each, in such capacity, a “ Bilateral Provider ”).

Each Guarantor may receive, directly or indirectly, a portion of the proceeds of the Loans under the Credit Agreement and will derive substantial direct and indirect benefits from the transactions contemplated by the Credit Agreement and from each Bilateral Provider’s Bilateral Obligations. It is a condition precedent to the making of the Loans by the Lenders and the issuance of Letters of Credit by the Initial L/C Issuer under the Credit Agreement and the entry by the Hedge Banks into Secured Hedge Agreements from time to time that each Guarantor shall have executed and delivered this Guaranty.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and in order to induce the Lenders to make Loans and to issue Letters of Credit under the Credit Agreement, the Bilateral Providers to provide Bilateral Obligations and the Hedge Banks to enter into Secured Hedge Agreements from time to time, each Guarantor, jointly and severally with each other Guarantor, hereby agrees as follows:

Section 1. Guaranty; Limitation of Liability . (a) Each Guarantor hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees the punctual payment when due, whether at scheduled maturity or on any date of a required prepayment or by acceleration, demand or otherwise, of (i) all Obligations of (A) the BV Borrower and (B) each Loan Party guaranteeing the Obligations of the BV Borrower, (ii) all obligations of the BV Borrower and each Foreign Subsidiary in respect of Cash Management Obligations and Secured Hedge Obligations and (iii) the Bilateral Obligations of each Bilateral Provider, in respect of each of the foregoing, whether now or hereafter existing (including, without limitation, any extensions, modifications, substitutions, amendments or renewals of any or all of the foregoing obligations), whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, and whether for principal, interest, premiums, fees, indemnities, contract causes of action, costs, expenses or otherwise (such obligations being the “ Guaranteed Obligations ”), and agrees to pay any and all reasonable expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable fees and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of counsel) incurred

 

Foreign Guaranty


by the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party in enforcing any rights under this Guaranty or any other Loan Document in accordance with Section 10.04 of the Credit Agreement (including Attorney Costs of any law firm or other external counsel to the Administrative Agent); provided , however , that in no event shall the Guaranteed Obligations of any Guarantor include any of its obligations as a Borrower under the Credit Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Guarantor’s liability shall extend to all amounts that constitute part of the Guaranteed Obligations and would be owed by any other Guarantor to any Secured Party under or in respect of the Loan Documents but for the fact that they are unenforceable or not allowable due to the existence of a bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding involving such other Guarantor. Notwithstanding anything herein or in the Credit Agreement to the contrary, (i) the aggregate principal amount of all Bilateral Obligations guaranteed hereby shall not exceed $40,000,000 and (ii) to the extent that Bilateral Obligations are cash collateralized or otherwise guaranteed (other than pursuant hereunder), such Bilateral Obligations shall not be guaranteed hereby.

(b) Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of this Guaranty, the Administrative Agent and each other Secured Party, hereby confirm that it is the intention of all such Persons that this Guaranty and the Obligations of each Guarantor hereunder not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law (as hereinafter defined), the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar foreign, federal or state Law to the extent applicable to this Guaranty and the Obligations of each Guarantor hereunder. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Administrative Agent, the other Secured Parties and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the Obligations of each Guarantor under this Guaranty at any time shall be limited to the maximum amount as will result in the Obligations of such Guarantor under this Guaranty not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance. For purposes hereof, “ Bankruptcy Law ” means any proceeding of the type referred to in Section 8.01(f) of the Credit Agreement or Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar foreign, federal or state Law for the relief of debtors.

(c) Each Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably agrees that in the event any payment shall be required to be made to any Secured Party under this Guaranty or any other guaranty, such Guarantor will contribute, to the maximum extent permitted by Law, such amounts to each other Guarantor and each other guarantor so as to maximize the aggregate amount paid to the Secured Parties under or in respect of the Loan Documents.

(d) To the extent that any Guarantor shall be required hereunder to pay a portion of the Guaranteed Obligations exceeding the greater of (a) the amount of the economic benefit actually received by such Guarantor from the Loans and (b) the amount such Guarantor would otherwise have paid if such Guarantor had paid the aggregate amount of the Guaranteed Obligations (excluding the amount thereof repaid by the Borrowers) in the same proportion as such Guarantor’s net worth at the date enforcement is sought hereunder bears to the aggregate net worth of all the Guarantors (taken together with the aggregate net worth of all other “ Guarantors ” (as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement) obligated with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations (the “ Other Guarantors ”)) at the date of enforcement is sought hereunder, then each Other Guarantor shall reimburse such other Guarantors for the amount of such excess, pro rata, based on the respective net worths of such Other Guarantors at the date enforcement hereunder is sought.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document, no Guarantor shall have any liability or obligation under this Guaranty to the extent that such liability or obligation would constitute unlawful financial assistance under the applicable Laws of the jurisdiction of any Guarantor

(f) With regard to the Guarantors formed or incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands (the “ Dutch Companies ”), no obligations shall be included in the definition of “Guaranteed Obligations” to the extent that, if included, this Guaranty or any part hereof would constitute a violation of the

 

Foreign Guaranty

2


prohibition on financial assistance as contained in Section 2:98c or 2:207c of the Dutch Civil Code (the “ Prohibition ”) and this Guaranty is only legally binding on the Dutch Companies to the extent it will not be in violation of the Prohibition and all provisions of this Guaranty will be construed accordingly.

Section 2.  Guaranty Absolute . Each Guarantor guarantees that the Guaranteed Obligations will be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents, regardless of any Law, regulation or order now or hereafter in effect in any jurisdiction affecting any of such terms or the rights of any Secured Party with respect thereto. The Obligations of each Guarantor under or in respect of this Guaranty are independent of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other Obligations of any other Loan Party under or in respect of the Loan Documents, and a separate action or actions may be brought and prosecuted against each Guarantor to enforce this Guaranty, irrespective of whether any action is brought against the BV Borrower or any other Loan Party or whether the BV Borrower or any other Loan Party is joined in any such action or actions. The liability of each Guarantor under this Guaranty shall be irrevocable, absolute and unconditional irrespective of, and each Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives any defenses it may now have or hereafter acquire in any way relating to, any or all of the following:

(a) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Loan Document or any agreement or instrument relating thereto;

(b) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other Obligations of any other Loan Party under or in respect of the Loan Documents, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to departure from any Loan Document, including, without limitation, any increase in the Guaranteed Obligations resulting from the extension of additional credit to any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries or otherwise; provided that where such a waiver is unenforceable or where such a change would discharge the Guarantor of its liability under this Guaranty if made without its consent, the Guarantor hereby gives its consent to such change;

(c) any taking, exchange, release or non-perfection of any Collateral or any other collateral, or any taking, release or amendment or waiver of, or consent to departure from, any other guaranty, for all or any of the Guaranteed Obligations;

(d) any manner of application of Collateral or any other collateral, or proceeds thereof, to all or any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any manner of sale or other disposition of any Collateral or any other collateral for all or any of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other Obligations of any Loan Party under the Loan Documents or any other assets of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries;

(e) any change, restructuring or termination of the corporate structure or existence of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries;

(f) any failure of any Secured Party to disclose to any Loan Party any information relating to the business, condition (financial or otherwise), operations, performance, properties or prospects of any other Loan Party now or hereafter known to such Secured Party (each Guarantor waiving any duty on the part of the Secured Parties to disclose such information);

(g) the failure of any other Person to execute or deliver this Guaranty, any Guaranty Supplement (as hereinafter defined) or any other guaranty or agreement or the release or reduction of liability of any Guarantor or other guarantor or surety with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations; or

 

Foreign Guaranty

3


(h) any other circumstance (including, without limitation, any statute of limitations) or any existence of or reliance on any representation by any Secured Party that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, any Loan Party or any other guarantor or surety to the extent permitted; provided that, where a Loan Party contracts with the Secured Parties to be discharged from the Guaranteed Obligations, the Guarantor hereby assents to such contract and remains bound under this Guaranty.

This Guaranty shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment of any of the Guaranteed Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by any Secured Party or any other Person upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the BV Borrower or any other Loan Party or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made.

Section 3.  Waivers and Acknowledgments . (a) Each Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waives promptness, diligence, notice of acceptance, presentment, demand for performance, notice of nonperformance, default, acceleration, protest or dishonor and any other notice with respect to any of the Guaranteed Obligations and this Guaranty and any requirement that any Secured Party protect, secure, perfect or insure any Lien or any property subject thereto or exhaust any right or take any action against any Loan Party or any other Person or any Collateral.

(b) Each Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waives any right to revoke this Guaranty and, where it may not waive this right, the Guarantor agrees that this Guaranty will not be revoked, and acknowledges that this Guaranty is continuing in nature and applies to all Guaranteed Obligations, whether existing now or in the future.

(c) Each Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waives (i) any defense arising by reason of any claim or defense based upon an election of remedies by any Secured Party that in any manner impairs, reduces, releases or otherwise adversely affects the subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution or indemnification rights of such Guarantor or other rights of such Guarantor to proceed against any of the other Loan Parties, any other guarantor or any other Person or any Collateral and (ii) any defense based on any right of set-off or counterclaim against or in respect of the Obligations of such Guarantor hereunder.

(d) Each Guarantor acknowledges that the Collateral Agent may, without notice to or demand upon such Guarantor and without affecting the liability of such Guarantor under this Guaranty, foreclose under any mortgage by nonjudicial sale, and each Guarantor hereby waives any defense to the recovery by the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties against such Guarantor of any deficiency after such nonjudicial sale and any defense or benefits that may be afforded by applicable Law.

(e) Each Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waives any duty on the part of any Secured Party to disclose to such Guarantor any matter, fact or thing relating to the business, condition (financial or otherwise), operations, performance, properties or prospects of any other Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries now or hereafter known by such Secured Party.

(f) Each Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive substantial direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by the Loan Documents and that the waivers set forth in Section 2 and this Section 3 are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

(g) To the fullest extent permitted by law, each Guarantor organized under the laws of Mexico unconditionally and irrevocably waives, any right to which it may be entitled, to the extent applicable, under Articles 2813, 2814,2815,2816, 2817, 2818, 2819, 2820, 2821, 2822, 2823, 2824, 2826, 2827, 2830, 2835, 2836, 2837, 2838, 2839, 2840, 2842, 2844, 2846, 2847, 2848 and 2849 of the Federal

 

Foreign Guaranty

4


Civil Code ( Código Civil Federal ) and the corresponding provisions of the Civil Codes of the States of Mexico and the Federal District.

Section 4.  Subrogation . Each Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably agrees not to exercise any rights that it may now have or hereafter acquire against the BV Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other insider guarantor that arise from the existence, payment, performance or enforcement of such Guarantor’s Obligations under or in respect of this Guaranty or any other Loan Document, including, without limitation, any right of subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution or indemnification and any right to participate in any claim or remedy of any Secured Party against the BV Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other insider guarantor or any Collateral, whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity or under contract, statute or common Law, including, without limitation, the right to take or receive from the BV Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other insider guarantor, directly or indirectly, in cash or other property or by set-off or in any other manner, payment or security on account of such claim, remedy or right, unless and until all of the Guaranteed Obligations (other than (x) obligations with respect to Secured Hedge Agreements, (y) Cash Management Obligations not yet due and payable and (z) contingent indemnification obligations not yet accrued and payable under the Loan Documents) and all other amounts payable under this Guaranty shall have been paid in full in cash, all Letters of Credit shall have been cash collateralized or otherwise back-stopped, in each case, on terms required by the Credit Agreement or shall have expired or been terminated and the Commitments shall have expired or been terminated. If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor in violation of the immediately preceding sentence at any time prior to the latest of (a) the payment in full in cash of the Guaranteed Obligations and all other amounts payable under this Guaranty, (b) the Maturity Date of the Term Loan Facility and (c) the latest date of cash collateralization or other back-stop, in each case, on the terms required by the Credit Agreement or the expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit, such amounts shall be received and held in trust for the benefit of the Secured Parties, shall be segregated from other property and funds of such Guarantor and shall forthwith be paid or delivered to the Administrative Agent in the same form as so received (with any necessary endorsement or assignment) to be credited and applied to the Guaranteed Obligations and all other amounts payable under this Guaranty, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents, or to be held as Collateral for any Guaranteed Obligations or other amounts payable under this Guaranty thereafter arising. If (i) any Guarantor shall make payment to any Secured Party of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, (ii) all of the Guaranteed Obligations and all other amounts, if any, payable under this Guaranty shall have been paid in full in cash, (iii) the Maturity Date of the Term Loan Facility shall have occurred and (iv) all Letters of Credit shall have been cash collateralized or otherwise back-stopped, in each case, on the terms required under the Credit Agreement, or shall have expired or been terminated, the Secured Parties will, at such Guarantor’s request and expense, execute and deliver to such Guarantor appropriate documents, without recourse and without representation or warranty, necessary to evidence the transfer by subrogation to such Guarantor of an interest in the Guaranteed Obligations resulting from such payment made by such Guarantor pursuant to this Guaranty.

Section 5.  Payments Free and Clear of Taxes, Etc . Any payment made by a Guarantor pursuant to this Guaranty which results in the imposition of Taxes which would not have been imposed had the payment been made by the BV Borrower shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any such Taxes; provided that if a Guarantor shall be required to deduct any such Taxes from such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums paid under this section) the Administrative Agent, Lender or L/C Issuer (as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) such Guarantor shall make such deductions and (iii) such Guarantor shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant taxation authority or other authority in accordance with applicable Law. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 5 shall be read as an obligation of the Guarantors that is in addition to their Guarantee of the BV Borrower’s obligations to

 

Foreign Guaranty

5


indemnify for Taxes and Other Taxes pursuant to Section 3.01 of the Credit Agreement and shall not relieve a Guarantor of its obligations to make payments pursuant to Section 3.01 of the Credit Agreement on the relevant Borrower’s behalf.

Section 6.  Representations and Warranties . Each Guarantor hereby makes each representation and warranty made in the Loan Documents by the Borrowers with respect to such Guarantor and each Guarantor hereby further represents and warrants as follows:

(a) There are no conditions precedent to the effectiveness of this Guaranty that have not been satisfied or waived.

(b) Such Guarantor has, independently and without reliance upon any Secured Party and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Guaranty and each other Loan Document to which it is or is to be a party, and such Guarantor has established adequate means of obtaining from each other Loan Party on a continuing basis information pertaining to, and is now and on a continuing basis will be familiar with, the business, condition (financial or otherwise), operations, performance, properties and prospects of such other Loan Party.

Section 7.  Covenants . Each Guarantor covenants and agrees that, so long as any part of the Guaranteed Obligations shall remain unpaid, any Letter of Credit shall be outstanding and not cash collateralized or otherwise back-stopped in accordance with the Cash Collateralization or back-to-back letter of credit provisions set forth in Section 2.03(g) of the Credit Agreement or any Lender shall have any Commitment, such Guarantor will perform and observe, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to perform and observe, all of the terms, covenants and agreements set forth in the Loan Documents on its or their part to be performed or observed or that the BV Borrower has agreed to cause such Guarantor or such Subsidiaries to perform or observe.

Section 8.  Amendments, Guaranty Supplements, Etc . (a) No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Guaranty and no consent to any departure by any Guarantor therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided , however , that no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by all of the Secured Parties (other than any Lender that is, at such time, a Defaulting Lender), (a) reduce or limit the obligations of any Guarantor hereunder, release any Guarantor hereunder or otherwise limit any Guarantor’s liability with respect to the Obligations owing to the Secured Parties under or in respect of the Loan Documents except as provided in the next succeeding sentence, (b) postpone any date fixed for payment hereunder or (c) change the number of Secured Parties or the percentage of (x) the Commitments, (y) the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans or (z) the aggregate Available Amount of outstanding Letters of Credit that, in each case, shall be required for the Secured Parties or any of them to take any action hereunder. Upon the sale of a Guarantor to the extent permitted in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents, such Guarantor shall be automatically released from this Guaranty; provided that no such release shall occur if such Guarantor is a guarantor in respect of any Specified Junior Financing Obligations, unless such Guarantor is released from its obligations with respect to such Specified Junior Financing Obligations. The Administrative Agent will, at such Guarantor’s expense, execute and deliver to such Guarantor such documents as such Guarantor shall reasonably request to evidence the release of such Guarantor from its Guarantee hereunder pursuant to this Section 8; provided that such Guarantor shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a written request therefor and a certificate of such Guarantor to the effect that the transaction is in compliance with the Loan Documents. The Administrative Agent shall be authorized to rely on any such certificate without independent investigation.

 

Foreign Guaranty

6


(b) Upon the execution and delivery by any Person of a guaranty supplement in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto (each, a “ Guaranty Supplement ”), (i) such Person shall be referred to as an “ Additional Guarantor ” and shall become and be a Guarantor hereunder, and each reference in this Guaranty to a “ Guarantor ” shall also mean and be a reference to such Additional Guarantor, and each reference in any other Loan Document to a “ Guarantor “or a “ Foreign Guarantor ” shall also mean and be a reference to such Additional Guarantor, and (ii) each reference herein to “ this Guaranty ”, “ hereunder ”, “ hereof ” or words of like import referring to this Guaranty, and each reference in any other Loan Document to the “ Guaranty ”, “ Foreign Guaranty ”, “ thereunder ”, “ thereof ” or words of like import referring to this Guaranty, shall mean and be a reference to this Guaranty as supplemented by such Guaranty Supplement.

Section 9.  Notices, Etc . All notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing (including telegraphic, telecopy or telex communication) and mailed, telegraphed, telecopied, telexed or delivered to it, if to any Guarantor, addressed to it in care of the BV Borrower at the BV Borrower’s address specified in Schedule 10.02 of the Credit Agreement, if to any Agent, at its address specified in Schedule 10.02 of the Credit Agreement, if to or any Lender, at its address specified in its Administrative Questionnaire, if to any Hedge Bank, at its address specified in the Secured Hedge Agreement to which it is a party, or, as to any party, at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to each other party. All such notices and other communications shall be deemed to be given or made at such time as shall be set forth in Section 10.02 of the Credit Agreement. Delivery by telecopier of an executed counterpart of a signature page to any amendment or waiver of any provision of this Guaranty or of any Guaranty Supplement to be executed and delivered hereunder shall be effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart thereof.

Section 10.  No Waiver; Remedies . No failure on the part of any Secured Party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right. The remedies herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by Law.

Section 11.  Right of Set-off . Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Administrative Agent and, after obtaining the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, each other Agent and each Lender and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, but excluding payroll, tax and trust accounts) at any time held and other indebtedness at any time owing by such Agent, such Lender or such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of any Guarantor against any and all of the Obligations of such Guarantor now or hereafter existing under the Loan Documents, irrespective of whether such Agent or such Lender shall have made any demand under this Guaranty or any other Loan Document and although such Obligations may be unmatured. Each Agent and each Lender agrees promptly to notify such Guarantor after any such set-off and application; provided , however , that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application. The rights of each Agent and each Lender and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including, without limitation, other rights of set-off) that such Agent, such Lender and their respective Affiliates may have.

Section 12. Indemnification . (a) Without limitation on any other Obligations of any Guarantor or remedies of the Secured Parties under this Guaranty, each Guarantor shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify, defend and save and hold harmless each Secured Party and each of their Affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and advisors (each, an “Indemnified Party”) from and against, any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities and expenses

 

Foreign Guaranty

7


(including, without limitation, Attorney Costs) (which shall be limited to one (1) counsel to the Administrative Agent and the Secured Parties (exclusive of one local counsel to the Administrative Agent and the Secured Parties in each appropriate jurisdiction), unless (x) the interests of the Administrative Agent and the Secured Parties are sufficiently divergent, in which case one (1) additional counsel may be appointed and (y) if the interests of any Secured Party or group of Secured Parties (other than all of the Secured Parties) are distinctly or disproportionately affected, one (1) additional counsel for such Secured Party or group of Secured Parties in connection with the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance or administration of any Loan Document or any other agreement, letter or instrument delivered in connection with the transactions contemplated thereby or the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby) that may be actually incurred by or awarded against any Indemnified Party in connection with or as a result of any failure of any Guaranteed Obligations to be the legal, valid and binding obligations of any Loan Party enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with their terms.

(b) Each Guarantor hereby also agrees that none of the Indemnified Parties shall have any liability (whether direct or indirect, in contract, tort or otherwise) to any of the Guarantors or any of their respective Affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and advisors, and each Guarantor hereby agrees not to assert any claim against any Indemnified Party on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages arising out of or otherwise relating to the Facilities, the actual or proposed use of the proceeds of the Loans or the Letters of Credit, the Loan Documents or any of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents.

(c) Each of the Indemnified Parties hereby also agrees that none of the Guarantors shall have any liability (whether direct or indirect, in contract, tort or otherwise) to any of the Indemnified Parties or any of their respective Affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and advisors, and each of the Indemnified Parties hereby agrees not to assert any claim against any Guarantor on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages arising out of or otherwise relating to the Facilities, the actual or proposed use of the proceeds of the Loans or the Letters of Credit, the Loan Documents or any of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents.

(d) Without prejudice to the survival of any of the other agreements of any Guarantor under this Guaranty or any of the other Loan Documents, the agreements and obligations of each Guarantor contained in Section 1(a) (with respect to enforcement expenses), the last sentence of Section 2 , Section 5 and this Section 12 shall survive the payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations and all of the other amounts payable under this Guaranty.

Section 13.  Continuing Guaranty; Assignments under the Credit Agreement . This Guaranty is a continuing guaranty and shall (a) remain in full force and effect until the latest of (i) the payment in full in cash of the Guaranteed Obligations (other than with respect to the Secured Hedge Agreement and the Cash Management Obligations that are not yet due and payable and contingent indemnification obligations for which no claim has been asserted) and all other amounts payable under this Guaranty, (ii) the Maturity Date of the Term Loan Facility and (iii) the latest date of cash collateralization or other back-stop, in each case, on the terms required by the Credit Agreement, or expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit, (b) be binding upon each Guarantor, its successors and assigns and (c) inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Secured Parties and their successors, transferees and assigns. Without limiting the generality of clause (c) of the immediately preceding sentence, any Secured Party may assign or otherwise transfer all or any portion of its rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement (including, without limitation, all or any portion of its Commitments, the Loans owing to it and the Note or Notes held by it) to any other Person, and such other Person shall thereupon become vested with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to such Secured Party herein or otherwise, in each case as and to the extent provided in Section 10.07 of the Credit

 

Foreign Guaranty

8


Agreement. Except as expressly provided in the Credit Agreement, no Guarantor shall have the right to assign its rights hereunder or any interest herein without the prior written consent of the Secured Parties.

Section 14.  Judgments . If for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder in Dollars or any other applicable currency (the “ Judgment Currency ”) into a different currency (the “ Other Currency ”), the parties hereto agree, to the fullest extent they may effectively do so, that the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Administrative Agent could purchase the Judgment Currency with such Other Currency at the spot rate of exchange quoted by the Administrative Agent at 11:00 a.m. on the Business Day preceding that on which final judgment is given (or such other rate as may be required by any applicable Law), for the purchase of the Judgment Currency, for delivery two Business Days thereafter.

Section 15.  Execution in Counterparts . This Guaranty and each amendment, waiver and consent with respect hereto may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties thereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Guaranty by telecopier shall be effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Guaranty.

Section 16.  Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial, Etc . (a) This Guaranty shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

(b) Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the jurisdiction of any New York State court or federal court of the United States of America sitting in New York City, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Guaranty or any of the other Loan Documents to which it is or is to be a party, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in any such New York State court or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court. Each Guarantor agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably appoints C T Corporation System with an office on the date hereof at 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10011 (the “ Process Agent ”) as its agent to receive and forward on behalf of itself the summons and complain and any other process which may be served in any such action or proceeding. Such service may be made by mailing or delivering a copy of such process to any Guarantor in the care of the Process Agent at the Process Agent’s address, and each Guarantor hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs the Process Agent to receive such service on its behalf and forward such service to the Guarantors. Nothing in this Guaranty or any other Loan Document shall affect any right that any party may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Guaranty or any other Loan Document in the courts of any jurisdiction.

(c) Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Guaranty or any of the other Loan Documents to which it is or is to be a party in any New York State or federal court. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such suit, action or proceeding in any such court.

(d) EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM

 

Foreign Guaranty

9


(WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, THE LOANS OR THE ACTIONS OF ANY SECURED PARTY IN THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, PERFORMANCE OR ENFORCEMENT THEREOF.

 

Foreign Guaranty

10


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Guarantor has caused this Guaranty to be duly executed and delivered by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above written.

 

FOREIGN GUARANTORS:
SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES HOLDING        COMPANY US B.V.
By:   /s/ Geert Braaksma
  Name: Geert Braaksma
  Title: Director

 

Foreign Guaranty


SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES HOLLAND, B.V.
By:   /s/ Geer Braaksma
  Name: Geert Braaksma
  Title: Managing Director

 

Foreign Guaranty


SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES HOLDING

        COMPANY MEXICO, B.V.

By:   /s/ Geert Braaksma
  Name: Geert Braaksma
  Title: Managing Director

 

Foreign Guaranty


SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES DE MÉXICO,
        S. DE R.L. DE C.V.
By:   /s/ Santiago Sepulveda
  Name: Santiago Sepulveda
  Title: Attorney-in-Fact

 

Foreign Guaranty


SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES JAPAN LIMITED
By:   /s/ Hidehiko Ito
  Name: Hidehiko Ito
  Title: Representative Director

 

Foreign Guaranty


SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES MALAYSIA SDN. BHD.
By:   /s/ Kah Beng Hock
  Name: Kah Beng Hock
  Title: Director

 

Foreign Guaranty


Exhibit A

To The

Foreign Guaranty

FORM OF FOREIGN GUARANTY SUPPLEMENT

                          ,         

Morgan Stanley Funding, Inc., as Administrative Agent

One Pierrepont Plaza, 7th Floor

300 Cadman Plaza West

Brooklyn, NY 11201

Attn: Larry Benison / Gerard Jordan

Phone: (718) 754-7299 / 7422

Fax:     (718) 754-7249 / 7250

Credit Agreement dated as of May 12, 2011 among SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES B.V., a private limited liability company ( besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid ) incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands (the “ BV Borrower ”), SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES FINANCE COMPANY, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ US Borrower ”), SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES INTERMEDIATE HOLDING B.V., a private limited liability company ( besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid ) incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands, certain Lender party thereto, the Initial L/C Issuer, the Initial Swing Line Lender and MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., as Collateral Agent and Administrative Agent.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to the above-captioned Credit Agreement and to the Foreign Guaranty referred to therein (such Foreign Guaranty, as in effect on the date hereof and as it may hereafter be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, together with this Foreign Guaranty Supplement, being the “ Foreign Guaranty ”). The capitalized terms defined in the Foreign Guaranty or in the Credit Agreement and not otherwise defined herein are used herein as therein defined.

Section 1. Guaranty; Limitation of Liability . (a) The undersigned hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees the punctual payment when due, whether at scheduled maturity or on any date of a required prepayment or by acceleration, demand or otherwise, of all Obligations of the BV Borrower, each Loan Party guaranteeing the Obligations of the BV Borrower in its capacity as Borrower (and not as Guarantor) and each other Foreign Subsidiary which is an obligor with respect to the Cash Management Obligations now or hereafter existing under or in respect of the Loan Documents (including, without limitation, any extensions, modifications, substitutions, amendments or renewals of any or all of the foregoing Obligations), whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, and whether for principal, interest, premiums, fees, indemnities, contract causes of action, costs, expenses or otherwise, and the Bilateral Obligations of each Bilateral Provider (such Obligations being the “ Guaranteed Obligations ”), and agrees to pay any and all reasonable expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable fees and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of counsel) by the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party in enforcing any rights under this Guaranty Supplement, the Foreign Guaranty or any other Loan Document in accordance with Section 10.04 of the Credit Agreement (including Attorney Costs of any law firm or other external counsel to the Administrative Agent); provided, however , that in no event shall the Guaranteed Obligations of any Guarantor include any of its

 

Foreign Guaranty


obligations as a Borrower under the Credit Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the undersigned’s liability shall extend to all amounts that constitute part of the Guaranteed Obligations and would be owed by any other Loan Party to any Secured Party under or in respect of the Loan Documents but for the fact that they are unenforceable or not allowable due to the existence of a bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding involving such other Loan Party. Notwithstanding anything herein or in the Credit Agreement to the contrary, (i) the aggregate principal amount of all Bilateral Obligations guaranteed hereby shall not exceed $40,000,000 and (ii) to the extent that Bilateral Obligations are cash collateralized or otherwise guaranteed (other than pursuant hereunder), such Bilateral Obligations shall not be guaranteed hereby.

(b) The undersigned, and by its acceptance of this Guaranty Supplement, the Administrative Agent and each other Secured Party, hereby confirm that it is the intention of all such Persons that this Guaranty Supplement, the Foreign Guaranty and the Obligations of the undersigned hereunder and thereunder not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar foreign, federal or state law to the extent applicable to this Guaranty Supplement, the Foreign Guaranty and the Obligations of the undersigned hereunder and thereunder. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Administrative Agent, the other Secured Parties and the undersigned hereby irrevocably agree that the Obligations of the undersigned under this Guaranty Supplement and the Foreign Guaranty at any time shall be limited to the maximum amount as will result in the Obligations of the undersigned under this Guaranty Supplement and the Foreign Guaranty not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

(c) The undersigned hereby unconditionally and irrevocably agrees that in the event any payment shall be required to be made to any Secured Party under this Guaranty Supplement, the Foreign Guaranty, the Foreign Guaranty; or any other guaranty, the undersigned will contribute, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, such amounts to each other Guarantor and each other guarantor so as to maximize the aggregate amount paid to the Secured Parties under or in respect of the Loan Documents.

(d) To the extent that any Guarantor shall be required hereunder to pay a portion of the Guaranteed Obligations exceeding the greater of (a) the amount of the economic benefit actually received by such Guarantor from the Loans and (b) the amount such Guarantor would otherwise have paid if such Guarantor had paid the aggregate amount of the Guaranteed Obligations (excluding the amount thereof repaid by the Borrowers) in the same proportion as such Guarantor’s net worth at the date enforcement is sought hereunder bears to the aggregate net worth of all the Guarantors (taken together with the aggregate net worth of all other “ Guarantors ” (as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement) obligated with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations (the “ Other Guarantors ”)) at the date of enforcement is sought hereunder, then each Other Guarantor shall reimburse such other Guarantors for the amount of such excess, pro rata, based on the respective net worths of such Other Guarantors at the date enforcement hereunder is sought.

Section 2. Obligations Under the Guaranty . The undersigned hereby agrees, as of the date first above written, to be bound as a Guarantor by all of the terms and conditions of the Foreign Guaranty to the same extent as each of the other Guarantors thereunder. The undersigned further agrees, as of the date first above written, that each reference in the Foreign Guaranty to an “ Additional Guarantor ” or a “ Guarantor ” shall also mean and be a reference to the undersigned, and each reference in any other Loan Document to a “ Foreign Guarantor ” or a “ Loan Party ” shall also mean and be a reference to the undersigned.

Section 3. Representations and Warranties . The undersigned hereby makes each representation and warranty set forth in Section 6 of the Foreign Guaranty to the same extent as each other Guarantor.

 

Foreign Guaranty


Section 4. Delivery by Telecopier . Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Guaranty Supplement by telecopier shall be effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Guaranty Supplement.

Section 5. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial, Etc . (a) This Guaranty Supplement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

(b) The undersigned hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the jurisdiction of any New York State court or any federal court of the United States of America sitting in New York City, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Guaranty Supplement, the Foreign Guaranty or any of the other Loan Documents to which it is or is to be a party, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and the undersigned hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in any such New York State court or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court. The undersigned agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. The undersigned hereby irrevocably appoints C T Corporation System with an office on the date hereof at 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10011 (the “ Process Agent ”) as its agent to receive and forward on behalf of itself the summons and complain and any other process which may be served in any such action or proceeding. Such service may be made by mailing or delivering a copy of such process to the undersigned in the care of the Process Agent at the Process Agent’s address, and the undersigned hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs the Process Agent to receive such service on its behalf and forward such service to the undersigned. Nothing in this Guaranty Supplement or the Foreign Guaranty or any other Loan Document shall affect any right that any party may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Guaranty Supplement, the Foreign Guaranty or any of the other Loan Documents to which it is or is to be a party in the courts of any other jurisdiction.

(c) The undersigned irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Guaranty Supplement, the Foreign Guaranty or any of the other Loan Documents to which it is or is to be a party in any New York State or federal court. The undersigned hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such suit, action or proceeding in any such court.

(d) THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, THE LOANS OR THE ACTIONS OF ANY SECURED PARTY IN THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, PERFORMANCE OR ENFORCEMENT THEREOF.

 

Very truly yours,
[NAME OF ADDITIONAL GUARANTOR]
By    
  Title:

 

Foreign Guaranty

Exhibit 10.5

EXECUTION VERSION

PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT

This Patent Security Agreement (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Patent Security Agreement ”) dated May 12, 2011 is made by the Persons listed on the signature pages hereto (each, a “ Grantor ” and, collectively, the “ Grantors ”), in favor of Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as collateral agent (the “ Collateral Agent ”) for the Secured Parties (as defined in the Credit Agreement referred to below).

WHEREAS, SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES B.V., a private limited liability company ( besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid ) incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands, SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES FINANCE COMPANY, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES INTERMEDIATE HOLDING B.V., a private limited liability company ( besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid ) incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands, have entered into a Credit Agreement dated as of May 12, 2011 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”) with the Lenders party thereto and MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., as administrative agent.

WHEREAS, as a condition precedent to (i) the making of the Loans, (ii) the issuance of Letters of Credit by the Lenders under the Credit Agreement, (iii) the Bilateral Obligations provided by the Bilateral Providers from time to time and (iv) the entry into Secured Hedge Agreements by the Hedge Banks from time to time, each Grantor has executed and delivered that certain Domestic Security Agreement dated as of May 12, 2011 made by the Grantors to the Collateral Agent (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Security Agreement ”). Terms defined in the Security Agreement and not otherwise defined herein are used herein as defined in the Security Agreement. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement and not otherwise defined herein or in the Security Agreement are used herein as defined in the Credit Agreement.

WHEREAS, under the terms of the Security Agreement, the Grantors have granted to the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in, among other property, certain Patents of the Grantors constituting Material Intellectual Property Collateral, and have agreed as a condition thereof to execute this Patent Security Agreement for recording with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each Grantor agrees as follows:

Section 1. Grant of Security . Each Grantor hereby grants to the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties a security interest in such Grantor’s right, title and interest in and to the following (all of the following items or types of property being herein collectively referred to as the “ Patent Collateral ”), whether now owned or hereafter acquired or arising:

(i) each Patent constituting Material Intellectual Property Collateral owned by the Grantor, including, without limitation, each Patent referred to in Schedule 1 hereto;

(ii) all issuances and applications for registration for any of the foregoing, together with all reissues, divisions, continuations, continuations-in-part, extensions and reexaminations thereof;


(iii) all rights in the foregoing provided by international treaties or conventions, all rights corresponding thereto throughout the world and all other rights of any kind whatsoever of such Grantor accruing thereunder or pertaining thereto; and

(iv) any and all proceeds of, collateral for, income, royalties and other payments now or hereafter due and payable with respect to, and supporting obligations relating to, any and all of the foregoing, including, without limitation, all proceeds of any and all claims for damages and injunctive relief for past, present and future infringement, dilution, misappropriation, violation, misuse or breach with respect to any of the foregoing, with the right, but not the obligation, to sue for and collect, or otherwise recover, such damages.

Section 2. Recordation . Each Grantor authorizes and requests that the Commissioner for Patents and any other applicable government officer record this Patent Security Agreement.

Section 3. Execution in Counterparts . This Patent Security Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

Section 4. Grants, Rights and Remedies . This Patent Security Agreement has been executed and delivered by the Grantors for the purpose of recording the grant of security interest herein with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The security interest granted hereby has been granted to the Collateral Agent in connection with the Security Agreement and is expressly subject to the terms and conditions thereof and does not modify its terms or conditions or create any additional rights or obligations for any party thereto or hereto. The Security Agreement (and all rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent thereunder) shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with its terms.

Section 5. Governing Law . This Patent Security Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Grantor has caused this Patent Security Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above written.

 

SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES FINANCE COMPANY, LLC
By:   /s/ Jeffrey Cote
  Name: Jeffrey Cote
  Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

Patent Security Agreement


SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
By:   /s/ Jeffrey Cote
  Name: Jeffrey Cote
  Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

Patent Security Agreement


SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES MASSACHUSETTS, INC.
By:   /s/ Jeffrey Cote
  Name: Jeffrey Cote
  Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

Patent Security Agreement


Schedule 1

to Patent

Security Agreement

[NAME OF GRANTOR]

U.S. PATENTS AND DESIGN PATENTS

 

Patent No.  

Issued

 

Country

  

Title

U.S. PATENT APPLICATIONS

 

Application No.

 

Country

 

Filing Date

  

Filing Title

Exhibit 10.6

EXECUTION VERSION

TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT

This Trademark Security Agreement (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Trademark Security Agreement ”) dated May 12, 2011 is made by the Persons listed on the signature pages hereto (each, a “ Grantor ” and, collectively, the “ Grantors ”) in favor of Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as collateral agent (the “ Collateral Agent ”) for the Secured Parties (as defined in the Credit Agreement referred to below).

WHEREAS, SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES B.V., a private limited liability company ( besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid ) incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands, SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES FINANCE COMPANY, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES INTERMEDIATE HOLDING B.V., a private limited liability company ( besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid ) incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands, have entered into a Credit Agreement dated as of May 12, 2011 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”) with the Lenders party thereto and MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., as administrative agent.

WHEREAS, as a condition precedent to (i) the making of the Loans, (ii) the issuance of Letters of Credit by the Lenders under the Credit Agreement, (iii) the Bilateral Obligations provided by the Bilateral Providers from time to time and (iv) the entry into Secured Hedge Agreements by the Hedge Banks from time to time, each Grantor has executed and delivered that certain Domestic Security Agreement dated as of May 12, 2011 made by the Grantors to the Collateral Agent (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Security Agreement ”). Terms defined in the Security Agreement and not otherwise defined herein are used herein as defined in the Security Agreement. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement and not otherwise defined herein or in the Security Agreement are used herein as defined in the Credit Agreement.

WHEREAS, under the terms of the Security Agreement, the Grantors have granted to the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in, among other property, certain Trademarks constituting Material Intellectual Property Collateral of the Grantors, and have agreed as a condition thereof to execute this Trademark Security Agreement for recording with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each Grantor agrees as follows:

Section 1. Grant of Security . Each Grantor hereby grants to the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties a security interest in such Grantor’s right, title and interest in and to the following (all of the following items or types of property being herein collectively referred to as the “ Trademark Collateral ”), whether now owned or hereafter acquired or arising:

(i) each Trademark constituting Material Intellectual Property Collateral owned by the Grantor (including, without limitation, each Trademark registration and application therefor, referred to in Schedule 1 hereto, and all of the goodwill symbolized by, each Trademark);

(ii) all registrations and applications for registration for any of the foregoing, together with all renewals thereof;


(iii) all rights in the foregoing provided by international treaties or conventions, all rights corresponding thereto throughout the world and all other rights of any kind whatsoever of such Grantor accruing thereunder or pertaining thereto; and

(iv) any and all proceeds of, collateral for, income, royalties and other payments now or hereafter due and payable with respect to, and supporting obligations relating to, any and all of the foregoing, including, without limitation, all proceeds of any and all claims for damages and injunctive relief for past, present and future infringement, dilution, misappropriation, violation, misuse or breach with respect to any of the foregoing, with the right, but not the obligation, to sue for and collect, or otherwise recover, such damages.

Section 2. Recordation . Each Grantor authorizes and requests that the Commissioner for Trademarks and any other applicable government officer record this Trademark Security Agreement.

Section 3. Execution in Counterparts . This Trademark Security Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

Section 4. Grants, Rights and Remedies . This Trademark Security Agreement has been executed and delivered by the Grantors for the purpose of recording the grant of security interest herein with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The security interest granted hereby has been granted to the Collateral Agent in connection with the Security Agreement and is expressly subject to the terms and conditions thereof and does not modify its terms or conditions or create any additional rights or obligations for any party thereto or hereto. The Security Agreement (and all rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent thereunder) shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with its terms.

Section 5. Governing Law . This Trademark Security Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Grantor has caused this Trademark Security Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above written.

 

SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES FINANCE COMPANY, LLC
By:   /s/ Jeffrey Cote
  Name: Jeffrey Cote
  Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

Trademark Security Agreement


SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
By:   /s/ Jeffrey Cote
  Name: Jeffrey Cote
  Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

Trademark Security Agreement


SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES MASSACHUSETTS, INC.
By:   /s/ Jeffrey Cote
  Name: Jeffrey Cote
  Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

Trademark Security Agreement


Schedule 1

to Trademark

Security Agreement

[NAME OF GRANTOR]

U.S. TRADEMARK REGISTRATIONS

 

TRADEMARK

   REG. NO.    REG. DATE

U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATIONS

 

TRADEMARK

   REG. NO.    REG. DATE

 

2

Exhibit 10.7

EXECUTION VERSION

DOMESTIC PLEDGE AGREEMENT

Dated May 12, 2011

From

The Pledgors referred to herein

as Pledgors

To

MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.

as Collateral Agent

 

Domestic Pledge Agreement


T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S

 

Section         Page  

Section 1.

   Grant of Security      2   

Section 2.

   Security for Obligations      3   

Section 3.

   Pledgors Remain Liable      3   

Section 4.

   Delivery and Control of Security Collateral      3   

Section 5.

   Representations and Warranties      4   

Section 6.

   Further Assurances      5   

Section 7.

   Post-Closing Changes      6   

Section 8.

   Voting Rights; Dividends; Etc.      6   

Section 9.

   Transfers and Other Liens; Additional Shares      7   

Section 10.

   Collateral Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact      7   

Section 11.

   Collateral Agent May Perform      8   

Section 12.

   Remedies      8   

Section 13.

   Indemnity and Expenses      9   

Section 14.

   Amendments; Waivers; Additional Pledgors; Etc.      9   

Section 15.

   Notices, Etc.      10   

Section 16.

   Continuing Security Interest; Assignments Under the Credit Agreement      10   

Section 17.

   Release; Termination      10   

Section 18.

   Execution in Counterparts      11   

Section 19.

   Governing Law      11   

 

Schedules

         
Schedule I       Location, Chief Executive Office, Type Of Organization, Jurisdiction Of Organization, Organizational Identification Number and Trade Names
Schedule II       Pledged Equity and Pledged Debt

Exhibit

         
Exhibit A       Form of Domestic Pledge Agreement Supplement

 

Domestic Pledge Agreement


DOMESTIC PLEDGE AGREEMENT

DOMESTIC PLEDGE AGREEMENT dated May 12, 2011 (this “ Agreement ”) made by SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES B.V., a private limited liability company ( besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid ) incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands (the “ BV Borrower ”), and SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES HOLDING COMPANY US B.V., a private limited liability company ( besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid ) incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands (the “ BV Pledgor ” and, together with the BV Borrower, the “ Pledgors ”), to MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., as collateral agent (together with any successor collateral agent appointed pursuant to Article 9 of the Credit Agreement referred to below, the “ Collateral Agent ”) for the Secured Parties (as defined in the Credit Agreement referred to below).

PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS

The BV Borrower, SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES FINANCE, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ US Borrower ” and together with the BV Borrower, the “ Borrowers ”) and SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES INTERMEDIATE HOLDING B.V., a private limited liability company ( besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid ) incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands, have entered into a Credit Agreement dated as of May 12, 2011 (such agreement, as it may hereafter be amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, being the “ Credit Agreement ”) with the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement), the Initial L/C Issuer (as defined in the Credit Agreement), the Initial Swing Line Lender (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and the Administrative Agent (as defined in the Credit Agreement).

The Borrowers and their Subsidiaries have entered into or may from time to time enter into lines of credit (committed or uncommitted) and other similar arrangements (the “ Bilateral Obligations ”) with Lenders or their Affiliates and certain other financial institutions as initially set forth on Schedule XII of the Security Agreement and as such schedule may be amended from time to time upon written notice by the Borrowers to the applicable Lenders or Affiliates and certain other financial institutions (each, in such capacity, a “ Bilateral Provider ”).

Each Pledgor is the owner of the shares of stock or other Equity Interests (as defined in the Credit Agreement) (the “ Initial Pledged Equity ”) set forth opposite such Pledgor’s name on and as otherwise described in Part I of Schedule II hereto and issued by the Persons named therein and of the indebtedness (the “ Initial Pledged Debt ”) set forth opposite such Pledgor’s name on and as otherwise described in Part II of Schedule II hereto and issued by the obligors named therein.

It is a condition precedent to the making of Loans by the Lenders and the issuance of Letters of Credit by the L/C Issuer under the Credit Agreement and the entry into Secured Hedge Agreements by the Hedge Banks from time to time that the Pledgors shall have granted the security interest contemplated by this Agreement. Each Pledgor will derive substantial direct and indirect benefit from the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents and from each Bilateral Provider’s Bilateral Obligations.

Terms defined in the Credit Agreement and the Domestic Security Agreement, as applicable, and not otherwise defined in this Agreement are used in this Agreement as defined in the Credit Agreement and the Domestic Security Agreement, as applicable. Further, unless otherwise defined in this Agreement or in the Credit Agreement, terms defined in Article 8 or 9 of the UCC (as defined below) are used in this Agreement as such terms are defined in such Article 8 or 9. “ UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York; provided that, if

 

Domestic Pledge Agreement


perfection or the effect of perfection or non-perfection or the priority of the security interest in any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of New York, “ UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in such other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection, effect of perfection or non-perfection or priority.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and in order to induce (i) the Lenders to make Loans and issue Letters of Credit under the Credit Agreement, (ii) the Bilateral Providers to provide or continue to provide Bilateral Obligations to time and (iii) the Hedge Banks to enter into Secured Hedge Agreements from time to time, each Pledgor hereby agrees with the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties as follows:

Section 1. Grant of Security . Each Pledgor hereby grants to the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in such Pledgor’s right, title and interest in and to the following, in each case, as to each type of property described below, whether now owned or hereafter acquired by such Pledgor, wherever located, and whether now or hereafter existing or arising (collectively, the “ Collateral ”):

(a) the following (collectively, the “ Security Collateral ”):

(i) the Initial Pledged Equity and the certificates, if any, representing the Initial Pledged Equity, and all dividends, distributions, return of capital, cash, instruments and other property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of the Initial Pledged Equity and all warrants, rights or options issued thereon or with respect thereto;

(ii) the Initial Pledged Debt and the instruments, if any, evidencing the Initial Pledged Debt, and all interest, cash, instruments and other property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of the Initial Pledged Debt;

(iii) all additional shares of stock and other Equity Interests from time to time acquired by such Pledgor in any manner (such shares and other Equity Interests, together with the Initial Pledged Equity, being the “ Pledged Equity ”), and the certificates, if any, representing such additional shares or other Equity Interests, and all dividends, distributions, return of capital, cash, instruments and other property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of such shares or other Equity Interests and all warrants, rights or options issued thereon or with respect thereto; provided, however , that, except to the extent set forth on Part I of Schedule II as of the Closing Date, Security Collateral shall not include any Equity Interest in any corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity not organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia (a “ Non-US Entity ”);

(iv) all additional indebtedness from time to time owed to such Pledgor by any Domestic Subsidiary of the BV Borrower (such indebtedness, together with the Initial Pledged Debt, being the “ Pledged Debt ”) and the instruments, if any, evidencing such indebtedness, and all interest, cash, instruments and other property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of such indebtedness; and

 

Domestic Pledge Agreement

2


(b) all proceeds of, collateral for and supporting obligations relating to, any and all of the Collateral (including, without limitation, proceeds, collateral and supporting obligations that constitute property of the types described in clause (a) of this Section 1 and this clause (b)) and, to the extent not otherwise included, all (A) payments under insurance (whether or not the Collateral Agent is the loss payee thereof), or any indemnity, warranty or guaranty, payable by reason of loss or damage to or otherwise with respect to any of the foregoing Collateral and (B) cash.

Section 2. Security for Obligations . This Agreement secures, in the case of each Pledgor, the payment of all Obligations, Cash Management Obligations, Secured Hedge Obligations and Bilateral Obligations of such Pledgor now or hereafter existing under the Loan Documents, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, and whether for principal, reimbursement obligations, interest, fees, premiums, penalties, indemnifications, contract causes of action, costs, expenses or otherwise (all such Obligations being the “ Secured Obligations ”). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this Agreement secures, as to each Pledgor, the payment of all amounts that constitute part of the Secured Obligations and would be owed by such Pledgor to any Secured Party under the Loan Documents, but for the fact that they are unenforceable or not allowable due to the existence of a bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding involving a Loan Party. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or the Credit Agreement to the contrary, (i) the aggregate principal amount of all Bilateral Obligations secured hereby shall not exceed $40,000,000 and (ii) to the extent that Bilateral Obligations are cash collateralized or otherwise secured (other than pursuant to this Agreement), such Bilateral Obligations shall not be secured hereby. Not withstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no obligations shall be included in the definition of “Secured Obligations” to the extent that, if included, this Agreement or any part hereof would constitute a violation of the prohibition on financial assistance as contained in Section 2:98c or 2:207c of the Dutch Civil Code (the “ Prohibition ”) and this Agreement is only legally binding on a Pledgor to the extent it will not be in violation of the Prohibition and all provisions of this Agreement will be construed accordingly.

Section 3. Pledgors Remain Liable . Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, (a) each Pledgor shall remain liable under the contracts and agreements included in such Pledgor’s Collateral to the extent set forth therein to perform all of its duties and obligations thereunder to the same extent as if this Agreement had not been executed, (b) the exercise by the Collateral Agent of any of the rights hereunder shall not release any Pledgor from any of its duties or obligations under the contracts and agreements included in the Collateral and (c) no Secured Party shall have any obligation or liability under the contracts and agreements included in the Collateral by reason of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, nor shall any Secured Party be obligated to perform any of the obligations or duties of any Pledgor thereunder or to take any action to collect or enforce any claim for payment assigned hereunder.

Section 4. Delivery and Control of Security Collateral . (a) All certificates or instruments representing or evidencing Security Collateral in excess of $2,500,000 in principal amount individually shall be delivered to and held by or on behalf of the Collateral Agent pursuant hereto and shall be in suitable form for transfer by delivery, or shall be accompanied by duly executed instruments of transfer or assignment in blank, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and pursuant to Section 8.02 of the Credit Agreement, the Collateral Agent shall have the right, at any time, to (i) transfer to or to register in the name of the Collateral Agent or any of its nominees any or all of the Security Collateral and (ii) exchange certificates or instruments representing or

 

Domestic Pledge Agreement

3


evidencing Security Collateral for certificates or instruments of smaller or larger denominations; provided that the Collateral Agent provides written notice to the applicable Pledgor.

(b) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, promptly upon the request of the Collateral Agent, with respect to any Security Collateral that constitutes an uncertificated security, the relevant Pledgor will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the issuer thereof either (i) to register the Collateral Agent as the registered owner of such security or (ii) to agree with such Pledgor and the Collateral Agent that upon receipt of a notice of exclusive control following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, such issuer will comply with instructions with respect to such security originated by the Collateral Agent without further consent of such Pledgor, such agreement to be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (such agreement being an “ Uncertificated Security Control Agreement ”).

(c) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Collateral Agent shall have the right to transfer to or to register in the name of the Collateral Agent or any of its nominees any or all of the Security Collateral, subject only to the revocable rights specified in Section 8(a) . In addition, the Collateral Agent shall have the right upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default to convert Security Collateral consisting of financial assets held directly by the Collateral Agent to Security Collateral consisting of financial assets credited to one or more of the applicable Securities Accounts or the Collateral Account.

(d) Upon the request of the Collateral Agent upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, each Pledgor will notify each issuer of Security Collateral granted by it hereunder that such Security Collateral is subject to the security interest granted hereunder.

Section 5. Representations and Warranties . Each Pledgor represents and warrants as follows:

(a) Such Pledgor’s exact legal name, as defined in Section 9-503(a) of the UCC, is correctly set forth in Schedule I hereto. Such Pledgor’s location, chief executive office, type of organization, jurisdiction of organization and organizational identification number, if any, is set forth in Schedule I hereto and is accurate in all material respects.

(b) Such Pledgor is the legal and beneficial owner of the Collateral of such Pledgor free and clear of any Lien, claim, option or right of others, except for the security interest created under this Agreement or permitted under the Credit Agreement. No effective financing statement or other instrument similar in effect covering all or any part of such Collateral or listing such Pledgor or any trade name of such Pledgor as debtor with respect to such Collateral is on file in any recording office, except such as may have been filed in favor of the Collateral Agent relating to the Loan Documents or as otherwise permitted under the Credit Agreement.

(c) The Pledged Equity pledged by such Pledgor hereunder has been duly authorized and validly issued and is fully paid and non-assessable (to the extent such term is applicable). The Pledged Debt pledged by such Pledgor hereunder has been duly authorized, authenticated or issued and delivered, is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the issuers thereof, is not in default and, to the extent applicable, is evidenced by one or more promissory notes (which promissory notes have been delivered to the Collateral Agent to the extent required hereunder).

(d) The Initial Pledged Equity pledged by such Pledgor constitutes the percentage of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the issuers thereof indicated on Schedule II hereto.

 

Domestic Pledge Agreement

4


(e) This Agreement creates in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties a valid first priority security interest, except as otherwise provided for under the Loan Documents, in the Collateral granted by the Pledgors hereunder, securing the payment of the Secured Obligations. Each Pledgor has authorized the Collateral Agent to file financing and continuation statements under the UCC.

(f) No authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any governmental authority or regulatory body or any other third party is required for (i) the grant by such Pledgor of the security interest granted hereunder or for the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by such Pledgor, (ii) the perfection or maintenance of the security interest created hereunder (including the first priority nature of such security interest), except for the filing of financing and continuation statements under the UCC, which financing statements have been duly filed and are in full force and effect, and the actions described in Section 4 with respect to Security Collateral, which actions have been taken and are in full force and effect or (iii) the exercise by the Collateral Agent of its voting or other rights provided for in this Agreement or the remedies in respect of the Collateral pursuant to this Agreement, except as may be required in connection with the disposition of any portion of the Security Collateral by laws affecting the offering and sale of securities generally.

Section 6. Further Assurances . (a) Each Pledgor agrees that from time to time, at the expense of such Pledgor, such Pledgor will promptly execute and deliver, or otherwise authenticate, all further instruments and documents, and take all further commercially reasonable action that is necessary, or that the Collateral Agent may reasonably request, in order to perfect and protect any pledge or security interest granted or purported to be granted by such Pledgor hereunder or to enable the Collateral Agent to exercise and enforce its rights and remedies hereunder with respect to any Collateral of such Pledgor. Each Pledgor further agrees that it shall, at the expense of such Pledgor, take any and all commercially reasonable actions necessary to defend title to the Collateral against all Persons and to defend the security interest created hereunder and the priority thereof against any Lien prohibited under the Credit Agreement.

(b) Each Pledgor hereby authorizes the Collateral Agent to file one or more financing or continuation statements, and amendments thereto, including, without limitation, one or more financing statements indicating that such financing statements cover all investment property (or words of similar effect) of such Pledgor, regardless of whether any particular asset described in such financing statements falls within the scope of the UCC or the granting clause of this Agreement. A photocopy or other reproduction of this Agreement or any financing statement covering the Collateral or any part thereof shall be sufficient as a financing statement where permitted by law.

(c) Each Pledgor will furnish to the Collateral Agent from time to time statements and schedules further identifying and describing the Collateral of such Pledgor and such other reports in connection with such Collateral as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request, all in reasonable detail.

(d) Upon notice by the Collateral Agent, the Borrower will furnish to the Collateral Agent on or prior to the fifth anniversary of the date hereof (but not more than six months prior thereto), an opinion of counsel, from outside counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, to the effect that all financing or continuation statements have been filed, and all other action has been taken to perfect continuously from the date hereof the security interest granted hereunder.

 

Domestic Pledge Agreement

5


(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Collateral Document, this Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of Sections 6.12(a) and 6.12(c) , as applicable, of the Credit Agreement.

Section 7. Post-Closing Changes . Each Pledgor agrees to promptly notify the Collateral Agent in writing of any change to its legal name, type of organization, jurisdiction of organization, organizational identification number (if any) or location from those set forth in Schedule I hereto and shall take all action reasonably required by the Collateral Agent for the purposes of perfecting or protecting the security interest granted by this Agreement. Each Pledgor will hold and preserve its records relating to the Collateral and will permit representatives of the Collateral Agent at any reasonable time during normal business hours to inspect and make abstracts from such records and other documents, upon reasonable advance notice to such Pledgor; provided that, excluding any such visits and inspections during the continuance of an Event of Default, only the Collateral Agent may exercise rights under this Section 7 and the Collateral Agent shall not exercise such rights more often than one (1) time during any calendar year absent the existence of an Event of Default; provided further that, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party (or any respective representative or independent contractor) may do any of the foregoing at the reasonable expense of such Pledgor at any time during normal business hours and upon reasonable advance notice. If any Pledgor does not have an organizational identification number and later obtains one, within thirty (30) days, it will notify the Collateral Agent of such organizational identification number.

Section 8. Voting Rights; Dividends; Etc .

(a) So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and the Collateral Agent has not given notice to the Borrower:

(i) Each Pledgor shall be entitled to exercise any and all voting and other consensual rights pertaining to the Security Collateral of such Pledgor or any part thereof for any purpose; provided, however , that such Pledgor will not exercise or refrain from exercising any such right if such action would have a material adverse effect on the value of the Security Collateral or any part thereof or on the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent or the other Secured Parties under this Agreement or the ability of the Collateral Agent or the other Second Parties to exercise the same.

(ii) Each Pledgor shall be entitled to receive and retain any and all dividends, interest and other distributions paid in respect of the Security Collateral of such Pledgor if and to the extent that the payment thereof is not otherwise prohibited by the terms of the Loan Documents; provided, however, that any and all dividends, interest and other distributions paid or payable other than in cash in respect of, and instruments and other property received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of, or in exchange for, any Security Collateral, shall be, and shall be forthwith delivered to the Collateral Agent to hold as, Security Collateral and shall, if received by such Pledgor, be received in trust for the benefit of the Collateral Agent, be segregated from the other property or funds of such Pledgor and be forthwith delivered to the Collateral Agent as Security Collateral in the same form as so received (with any necessary endorsement).

(iii) The Collateral Agent will execute and deliver (or cause to be executed and delivered) to each Pledgor all such proxies and other instruments as such Pledgor may reasonably request for the purpose of enabling such Pledgor to exercise the voting and other rights that it is

 

Domestic Pledge Agreement

6


entitled to exercise pursuant to paragraph (i) above and to receive the dividends or interest payments that it is authorized to receive and retain pursuant to paragraph (ii) above.

(b) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and following notice from the Collateral Agent to the Borrower:

(i) All rights of each Pledgor (x) to exercise or refrain from exercising the voting and other consensual rights that it would otherwise be entitled to exercise pursuant to Section 8(a)(i) shall, upon notice to such Pledgor by the Collateral Agent, cease and (y) to receive the dividends, interest and other distributions that it would otherwise be authorized to receive and retain pursuant to Section 8(a)(ii) shall automatically cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in the Collateral Agent, which shall thereupon have the sole right to exercise or refrain from exercising such voting and other consensual rights and to receive and hold as Security Collateral such dividends, interest and other distributions.

(ii) All dividends, interest and other distributions that are received by any Pledgor contrary to the provisions of paragraph (i) of this Section 8(b) shall be received in trust for the benefit of the Collateral Agent, shall be segregated from other funds of such Pledgor and shall be forthwith paid over to the Collateral Agent as Security Collateral in the same form as so received (with any necessary indorsement).

Section 9. Transfers and Other Liens; Additional Shares . (a) Each Pledgor agrees that it will not (i) sell, assign or otherwise dispose of, or grant any option with respect to, any of the Collateral, other than sales, assignments and other dispositions of Collateral, and options relating to Collateral, permitted under the terms of the Credit Agreement or (ii) create or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any of the Collateral of such Pledgor except for the pledge, assignment and security interest created under this Agreement and Liens permitted under the Loan Documents.

(b) Each Pledgor agrees that it will (i) cause each issuer of the Pledged Equity pledged by such Pledgor not to issue any Equity Interests or other securities in addition to or in substitution for the Pledged Equity issued by such issuer, except to such Pledgor (except for director’s qualifying shares and shares issued to foreign nationals to the extent required by applicable law, or as otherwise required by law), and (ii) pledge hereunder, immediately upon its acquisition (directly or indirectly) thereof, any and all additional Equity Interests or other securities (subject to Section 1(a)(iii) with respect to any Equity Interest in any Non-US Entity).

Section 10. Collateral Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact . Each Pledgor hereby irrevocably appoints the Collateral Agent such Pledgor’s attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of such Pledgor and in the name of such Pledgor or otherwise, from time to time, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of a Event of Default, in the Collateral Agent’s reasonable discretion, to take any action and to execute any instrument that the Collateral Agent may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the provisions of this Agreement, including, without limitation:

(a) to ask for, demand, collect, sue for, recover, compromise, receive and give acquittance and receipts for moneys due and to become due under or in respect of any of the Collateral,

 

Domestic Pledge Agreement

7


(b) to receive, indorse and collect any drafts or other instruments or documents, in connection with clause (a) above, and

(c) to file any claims or take any action or institute any proceedings that the Collateral Agent may deem necessary or desirable for the collection of any of the Collateral or otherwise to enforce the rights of the Collateral Agent with respect to any of the Collateral.

Section 11. Collateral Agent May Perform . (a) If any Pledgor fails to perform any agreement contained herein, the Collateral Agent may, but without any obligation to do so, with notice (or upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, without notice), itself perform, or cause performance of, such agreement, and the expenses of the Collateral Agent incurred in connection therewith shall be payable by such Pledgor under Section 13 .

Section 12. Remedies . Subject to Section 8.02 of the Credit Agreement, if any Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing:

(a) The Collateral Agent may exercise in respect of the Collateral, in addition to other rights and remedies provided for herein or otherwise available to it, all the rights and remedies of a secured party upon default under the UCC (whether or not the UCC applies to the affected Collateral) and also may: (i) without notice except as specified below, sell the Collateral or any part thereof in one or more parcels at public or private sale, at any of the Collateral Agent’s offices or elsewhere, for cash, on credit or for future delivery, and upon such other terms as the Collateral Agent may deem commercially reasonable; and (ii) exercise any and all rights and remedies of any of the Pledgors under or in connection with the Collateral, or otherwise in respect of the Collateral, including, without limitation, those set forth in Section 9-607 of the UCC. Each Pledgor agrees that, to the extent notice of sale shall be required by law, at least ten days’ notice to such Pledgor of the time and place of any public sale or the time after which any private sale is to be made shall constitute reasonable notification. The Collateral Agent shall not be obligated to make any sale of Collateral regardless of notice of sale having been given. The Collateral Agent may adjourn any public or private sale from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed therefor, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which it was so adjourned.

(b) Any cash held by or on behalf of the Collateral Agent and all cash proceeds received by or on behalf of the Collateral Agent in respect of any sale of, collection from, or other realization upon all or any part of the Collateral may, in the discretion of the Collateral Agent, be held by the Collateral Agent as collateral for, or at any time thereafter applied (after payment of any amounts payable to the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 15 ) in whole or in part by the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties against, all or any part of the Secured Obligations, as set forth in Section 8.03 of the Credit Agreement.

(c) All payments received by Pledgor in respect of the Collateral shall be received in trust for the benefit of the Collateral Agent, shall be segregated from other funds of such Pledgor and shall be forthwith paid over to the Collateral Agent in the same form as so received (with any necessary indorsement).

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the exercise of remedies by the Collateral Agent under this Agreement upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default shall be subject to Section 8.02 of the Credit Agreement.

 

Domestic Pledge Agreement

8


Section 13. Indemnity and Expenses . (a) Each Pledgor agrees to indemnify, defend and save and hold harmless each Secured Party and each Representative Party (as defined below) of any of the foregoing Persons (each, an “ Indemnified Party ”) from and against, and shall pay on demand, any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) that may be incurred by or asserted or awarded against any Indemnified Party, in each case arising out of or in connection with or resulting from this Agreement (including, without limitation, enforcement of this Agreement), provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or such Indemnitee’s Representative Parties or (y) result from a claim brought by any Pledgor against an Indemnitee for breach of such Indemnitee’s obligations under this Agreement, if such Pledgor has obtained a final judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. For purposes of this Section 13 Representative Parties ” means, as to any Person, (i) such Person’s officers, directors and employees and (ii) such Person’s Affiliates, agents, advisers and other representatives, in each case to the extent acting at the direction of such Person.

(b) Each Pledgor will within 30 days of written demand pay to the Collateral Agent the amount of any and all reasonable expenses, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of its counsel and of any experts and agents, that the Collateral Agent may incur in connection with (i) the custody, preservation, use or operation of, or the sale of, collection from or other realization upon, any of the Collateral of such Pledgor, (ii) the exercise or enforcement of any of the rights of the Collateral Agent or the other Secured Parties hereunder or (iii) the failure by such Pledgor to perform or observe any of the provisions hereof.

Section 14. Amendments; Waivers; Additional Pledgors; Etc .

(a) No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, and no consent to any departure by any Pledgor herefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Collateral Agent and the Pledgor, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given. No failure on the part of the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to exercise, and no delay in exercising any right hereunder, shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right.

(b) Upon the execution and delivery, or authentication, by any Person of a pledge agreement supplement in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto (each a “ Pledge Agreement Supplement ”), (i) such Person shall be referred to as an “ Additional Pledgor ” and shall be and become a Pledgor hereunder, and each reference in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to “Pledgor” shall also mean and be a reference to such Additional Pledgor, and each reference in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to “Collateral” shall also mean and be a reference to the Collateral of such Additional Pledgor, and (ii) the supplemental schedules I and II attached to each Pledge Agreement Supplement shall be incorporated into and become a part of and supplement Schedules I and II, respectively, hereto, and the Collateral Agent may attach such supplemental schedules to such Schedules; and each reference to such Schedules shall mean and be a reference to such Schedules as supplemented pursuant to each Pledge Agreement Supplement.

 

Domestic Pledge Agreement

9


Section 15. Notices, Etc .

All notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall be either (i) in writing (including telegraphic, telecopier or telex communication) and mailed, telegraphed, telecopied, telexed or otherwise delivered or (ii) by electronic mail (if electronic mail addresses are designated as provided below) confirmed immediately in writing, in the case of the BV Borrower or the Collateral Agent (as provided for the Administrative Agent thereunder), addressed to it at its address specified in the Credit Agreement and, in the case of each Pledgor other than the BV Borrower, addressed to it at its address set forth opposite such Pledgor’s name on the signature pages hereto or on the signature page to the Pledge Agreement Supplement pursuant to which it became a party hereto; or, as to any party, at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to the other parties. All such notices and other communications shall be deemed to be given or made upon the earlier to occur of (i) actual receipt by the relevant party hereto and (ii) (A) if delivered by hand or by courier, when signed for by or on behalf of the relevant party hereto; (B) if delivered by mail, four (4) Business Days after deposit in the mails, postage prepaid; (C) if delivered by facsimile, when sent and receipt has been confirmed; and (D) if delivered by electronic mail, when delivered. Delivery by telecopier of an executed counterpart of any amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or of any Pledge Agreement Supplement or Schedule hereto shall be effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart thereof.

Section 16. Continuing Security Interest; Assignments Under the Credit Agreement . This Agreement shall create a continuing security interest in the Collateral and shall (a) remain in full force and effect until the latest of (i) the payment in full in cash of the Secured Obligations (other than (x) obligations with respect to Secured Hedge Agreements, (y) Cash Management Obligations not yet due and payable and (z) the contingent obligations not yet accrued and payable under the Loan Documents), (ii) the Maturity Date for the Revolving Credit Facility, (iii) the Maturity Date for the Term Loan Facility and (iv) the termination or expiration of all Letters of Credit, (b) be binding upon each Pledgor, its successors and assigns and (c) inure, together with the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent hereunder, to the benefit of the Secured Parties and their respective permitted successors, transferees and assigns. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing subsection (c), any Lender may assign or otherwise transfer all or any portion of its rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement (including, without limitation, all or any portion of its Commitments, the Loans owing to it and the Note or Notes, if any, held by it) to any other Person, and such other Person shall thereupon become vested with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to such Lender herein or otherwise, in each case as provided in Section 10.07 of the Credit Agreement.

Section 17. Release; Termination . (a) Upon any sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of any item of Collateral of any Pledgor in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents, the Collateral Agent will, at such Pledgor’s expense, execute and deliver to such Pledgor such documents as such Pledgor shall reasonably request to evidence the release of such item of Collateral from the assignment and security interest granted hereby; provided , however , that (i) such Pledgor shall have delivered to the Collateral Agent a written request for release describing the item of Collateral and the terms of the sale, lease, transfer or other disposition in reasonable detail, including, without limitation, the price thereof and any expenses in connection therewith, together with a form of release for execution by the Collateral Agent and a certificate of such Pledgor to the effect that the transaction is in compliance with the Loan Documents and as to such other matters as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request and (ii) the proceeds of any such sale, lease, transfer or other disposition required to be applied, or any payment to be made in connection therewith, in accordance with Section 2.05 of the Credit Agreement shall, to the extent so required, be paid or made to,

 

Domestic Pledge Agreement

10


or in accordance with the instructions of, the Collateral Agent when and as required under Section 2.05 of the Credit Agreement.

(b) Upon the latest of (i) the payment in full in cash of the Secured Obligations (other than (x) obligations with respect to Secured Hedge Agreements, (y) Cash Management Obligations not yet due and payable and (z) contingent indemnification obligations not yet accrued and payable under the Loan Documents), (ii) the Maturity Date for the Revolving Credit Facility, (iii) the Maturity Date for the Term Loan Facility and (iv) the cash collateralization, back-stop (on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent), termination or expiration of all Letters of Credit, the pledge and security interest granted hereby shall terminate and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to the applicable Pledgor. Upon any such termination, the Collateral Agent will, at the applicable Pledgor’s expense, execute and deliver to such Pledgor such documents as such Pledgor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination.

Section 18. Execution in Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by telecopier shall be effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Agreement.

Section 19. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

Domestic Pledge Agreement

11


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Pledgor has caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above written.

 

SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
By   /s/ Geert Braaksma
  Title: Director
SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES HOLDING       COMPANY US B.V.
By   /s/ Geert Braaksma
  Title: Director
Address for Notices:
Kolthofsingel 8
7602 EM Almelo
The Netherlands

 

Domestic Pledge Agreement


Schedule I to the

Domestic Pledge Agreement

LOCATION, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICE, TYPE OF ORGANIZATION, JURISDICTION OF

ORGANIZATION AND ORGANIZATIONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

 

Pledgor

   Location    Chief
Executive
Office
   Type of
Organization
   Jurisdiction of
Organization
   Organizational
I.D. No.
   Trade
Names

 

Domestic Pledge Agreement


Schedule II to the

Domestic Pledge Agreement

PLEDGED EQUITY AND PLEDGED DEBT

Part I

 

Pledgor

   Issuer    Class of
Equity
Interest
   Par Value    Certificate
No(s)
   Number
of Shares
   Percentage
of
Outstanding
Shares

Part II

 

Pledgor

   Debt
Issuer
   Description of
Debt
   Debt Certificate
No(s).
   Final
Maturity
   Outstanding
Principal
Amount

 

Domestic Pledge Agreement


Exhibit A to the

Domestic Pledge Agreement

FORM OF DOMESTIC PLEDGE AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT

[Date of Pledge Agreement Supplement]

Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc.

as the Collateral Agent for the

Secured Parties referred to in the

Credit Agreement referred to below

1585 Broadway

New York, New York 10036

Attn: Todd Vannucci, Managing Director

SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES B.V.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to (i) the Credit Agreement dated as of May 12, 2011 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES B.V., a besloten vennootschap organized under the laws of the Netherlands (the “ BV Borrower ”), SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES FINANCE, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ US Borrower ” and together with the BV Borrower, the “ Borrowers ”) and SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES INTERMEDIATE HOLDING B.V., a besloten vennootschap organized under the laws of the Netherlands, the Lenders, the Initial L/C Issuer, the Initial Swing Line Lender and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as administrative agent, and (ii) the Pledge Agreement dated May 12, 2011 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Pledge Agreement ”) made by the Pledgors from time to time party thereto in favor of the Collateral Agent for the Secured Parties. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement or the Pledge Agreement and not otherwise defined herein are used herein as defined in the Credit Agreement or the Pledge Agreement.

SECTION 1. Grant of Security . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Pledge Agreement, including provisions for the termination of security interests granted and the release of Liens thereunder, the undersigned hereby grants to the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in, all of its right, title and interest in and to all of the Collateral of the undersigned, whether now owned or hereafter acquired by the undersigned, wherever located and whether now or hereafter existing or arising, including, without limitation, the property and assets of the undersigned set forth on the attached supplemental schedules to the Schedules to the Pledge Agreement.

SECTION 2. Security for Obligations . The grant of a security interest in, the Collateral by the undersigned under this Pledge Agreement Supplement and the Pledge Agreement secures the payment of all Secured Obligations of the undersigned now or hereafter existing under or in respect of the Loan Documents, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, and whether for principal, reimbursement obligations, interest, fees, premiums, penalties, indemnifications, contract causes of

 

Domestic Pledge Agreement


action, costs, expenses or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this Pledge Agreement Supplement and the Pledge Agreement secure the payment of all amounts that constitute part of the Secured Obligations and would be owed by the undersigned to any Secured Party under the Loan Documents, but for the fact that they are unenforceable or not allowable due to the existence of a bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding involving a Loan Party. Notwithstanding anything in this Pledge Agreement Supplement, the Pledge Agreement or the Credit Agreement to the contrary, (i) the aggregate principal amount of all Bilateral Obligations secured hereby shall not exceed $40,000,000 and (ii) to the extent that Bilateral Obligations are cash collateralized or otherwise secured (other than pursuant to the Security Agreement), such Bilateral Obligations shall not be secured hereby.

SECTION 3. Supplements to Pledge Agreement Schedules . The undersigned has attached hereto supplemental Schedules I and II to Schedules I and II, respectively, to the Pledge Agreement, and the undersigned hereby certifies, as of the date first above written, that such supplemental schedules have been prepared by the undersigned in substantially the form of the equivalent Schedules to the Pledge Agreement and are complete and correct.

SECTION 4. Representations and Warranties . The undersigned hereby makes each representation and warranty set forth in Section 5 of the Pledge Agreement (as supplemented by the attached supplemental schedules) to the same extent as each other Pledgor.

SECTION 5. Obligations Under the Pledge Agreement . The undersigned hereby agrees, as of the date first above written, to be bound as a Pledgor by all of the terms and provisions of the Pledge Agreement to the same extent as each of the other Pledgors. The undersigned further agrees, as of the date first above written, that each reference in the Pledge Agreement to an “Additional Pledgor” or a “Pledgor” shall also mean and be a reference to the undersigned.

SECTION 6. Governing Law . This Pledge Agreement Supplement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

Very truly yours,

 

[NAME OF ADDITIONAL PLEDGOR]
By    
  Title:  
   
    Address for notices:
     
     
     

 

Domestic Pledge Agreement

A-2

Exhibit 10.8

EXECUTION VERSION

DOMESTIC SECURITY AGREEMENT

Dated May 12, 2011

From

The Grantors referred to herein

as Grantors

To

MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.

as Collateral Agent


T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S

 

         Page  
SECTION 1.   Grant of Security      2   
SECTION 2.   Security for Obligations      6   
SECTION 3.   Grantors Remain Liable      6   
SECTION 4.   Delivery and Control of Security Collateral      6   
SECTION 5.   Maintaining the Collateral Account; Pledged Deposit Accounts      7   
SECTION 6.   Investing of Amounts in the Collateral Account      8   
SECTION 7.   Release of Amounts      8   
SECTION 8.   Representations and Warranties      8   
SECTION 9.   Further Assurances      11   
SECTION 10.   As to Equipment and Inventory      12   
SECTION 11.   Insurance      12   
SECTION 12.   Post-Closing Changes      13   
SECTION 13.   As to Intellectual Property Collateral      13   
SECTION 14.   Voting Rights; Dividends; Etc.      14   
SECTION 15.   As to the Assigned Agreements      15   
SECTION 16.   As to Letter-of-Credit Rights      16   
SECTION 17.   Commercial Tort Claims      17   
SECTION 18.   Transfers and Other Liens; Additional Shares      17   
SECTION 19.   Collateral Agent Appointed Attorney in Fact      17   
SECTION 20.   Collateral Agent May Perform      18   
SECTION 21.   The Collateral Agent’s Duties      18   
SECTION 22.   Remedies      18   
SECTION 23.   Indemnity and Expenses      20   
SECTION 24.   Amendments; Waivers; Additional Grantors; Etc.      20   

 

ii


SECTION 25.   Notices, Etc.      20   
SECTION 26.   Continuing Security Interest; Assignments under the Credit Agreement      21   
SECTION 27.   Release; Termination      21   
SECTION 28.   Execution in Counterparts      22   
SECTION 29.   Governing Law      22   

Schedules

 

Schedule I    -    Investment Property
Schedule II    -    Pledged Deposit Accounts
Schedule III    -    Securities Accounts
Schedule IV    -    Commodities Accounts
Schedule V    -    Assigned Agreements
Schedule VI    -    Intellectual Property
Schedule VII    -    Commercial Tort Claims
Schedule VIII    -    Location, Chief Executive Office, Type of Organization, Jurisdiction of Organization and Organizational Identification Number
Schedule IX    -    Changes in Name, Location, Etc.
Schedule X    -    Locations of Equipment and Inventory
Schedule XI    -    Letters of Credit
Schedule XII    -    Bilateral Obligations
Exhibits      
Exhibit A    -    Form of Consent and Agreement
Exhibit B    -    Form of Copyright Security Agreement
Exhibit C    -    Form of Patent Security Agreement
Exhibit D    -    Form of Trademark Security Agreement
Exhibit E    -    Form of Domestic Security Agreement Supplement

 

iii


DOMESTIC SECURITY AGREEMENT

DOMESTIC SECURITY AGREEMENT dated May 12, 2011 (this “ Agreement ”) made by SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES FINANCE COMPANY, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ US Borrower ”), and the other Persons listed on the signature pages hereof (together with the US Borrower, the “ Grantors ”), to Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as collateral agent (together with any successor collateral agent appointed pursuant to Article 9 of the Credit Agreement referred to below, the “ Collateral Agent ”) for the Secured Parties (as defined in the Credit Agreement referred to below).

PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS

The US Borrower, SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES B.V., a private limited liability company ( besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid) incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands (the “ BV Borrower ” and together with the US Borrower, the “ Borrowers ”), and SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES INTERMEDIATE HOLDING B.V., a private limited liability company (besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid) incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands, have entered into a Credit Agreement dated as of May 12, 2011 (such agreement, as it may hereafter be amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, being the “ Credit Agreement ”) with the Guarantors (as defined in the Credit Agreement), the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement), the Initial L/C Issuer (as defined in the Credit Agreement), the Initial Swing Line Lender (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and the Administrative Agent (as defined in the Credit Agreement).

The Borrowers and their Subsidiaries have entered into or may from time to time enter into lines of credit (committed or uncommitted) and other similar arrangements (the “ Bilateral Obligations ”) with Lenders or their Affiliates and certain other financial institutions as initially set forth on Schedule XII hereto and as such schedule may be amended from time to time upon written notice by the Borrowers to the applicable Lenders or Affiliates and certain other financial institutions (each, in such capacity, a “ Bilateral Provider ”).

Each Grantor is the owner of the shares of stock or other Equity Interests (as defined in the Credit Agreement) (the “ Initial Pledged Equity ”) set forth opposite such Grantor’s name on and as otherwise described in Part I of Schedule I hereto and issued by the Persons named therein and of the indebtedness (the “ Initial Pledged Debt ”) set forth opposite such Grantor’s name on and as otherwise described in Part II of Schedule I hereto and issued by the obligors named therein.

Each Grantor is the owner of the deposit accounts (the “ Pledged Deposit Accounts ”) set forth opposite such Grantor’s name on Schedule II hereto.

Each Grantor is the owner of the securities accounts (the “ Securities Accounts ”) set forth opposite such Grantor’s name on Schedule III hereto.

Each Grantor has rights in and to all commodity contracts (the “ Pledged Commodity Contracts ”) carried from time to time in each such Grantor’s commodities accounts (the “ Commodities Accounts ”) set forth opposite such Grantor’s name on Schedule IV hereto.

The US Borrower will be the owner of an account to be opened at the request of the Collateral Agent (the “ Collateral Account ”).

It is a condition precedent to the making of Loans by the Lenders and the issuance of Letters of Credit by the L/C Issuer under the Credit Agreement and the entry into Secured Hedge Agreements by the

 

Domestic Security Agreement


Hedge Banks from time to time that the Grantors shall have granted the security interest contemplated by this Agreement. Each Grantor will derive substantial direct and indirect benefit from the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents and the Bilateral Providers.

Terms defined in the Credit Agreement and not otherwise defined in this Agreement are used in this Agreement as defined in the Credit Agreement. Further, unless otherwise defined in this Agreement or in the Credit Agreement, terms defined in Article 8 or 9 of the UCC (as defined below) are used in this Agreement as such terms are defined in such Article 8 or 9. “ UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York; provided that, if perfection or the effect of perfection or non-perfection or the priority of the security interest in any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of New York, “ UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in such other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection, effect of perfection or non-perfection or priority.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and in order to induce (i) the Lenders to make Loans and issue Letters of Credit under the Credit Agreement, (ii) the Bilateral Providers to provide or continue to provide Bilateral Obligations to time and (iii) the Hedge Banks to enter into Secured Hedge Agreements from time to time, each Grantor hereby agrees with the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties as follows:

SECTION 1. Grant of Security . Each Grantor hereby grants to the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in such Grantor’s right, title and interest in and to the following, in each case, as to each type of property described below, whether now owned or hereafter acquired by such Grantor, wherever located, and whether now or hereafter existing or arising (collectively, the “ Collateral ”):

(a) all equipment in all of its forms, including, without limitation, all machinery, tools, motor vehicles, vessels, aircraft, furniture and fixtures, and all parts thereof and all accessions thereto, including, without limitation, computer programs and supporting information that constitute equipment within the meaning of the UCC (any and all such property being the “ Equipment ”);

(b) all inventory in all of its forms, including, without limitation, (i) all raw materials, work in process, finished goods and materials used or consumed in the manufacture, production, preparation or shipping thereof, (ii) goods in which such Grantor has an interest in mass or a joint or other interest or right of any kind (including, without limitation, goods in which such Grantor has an interest or right as consignee) and (iii) goods that are returned to or repossessed or stopped in transit by such Grantor), and all accessions thereto and products thereof and documents therefor, including, without limitation, computer programs and supporting information that constitute inventory within the meaning of the UCC (any and all such property being the “ Inventory ”);

(c) all accounts (including, without limitation, health-care-insurance receivables), chattel paper (including, without limitation, tangible chattel paper and electronic chattel paper), instruments (including, without limitation, promissory notes), deposit accounts, letter-of-credit rights, general intangibles (including, without limitation, payment intangibles) and other obligations of any kind, whether or not arising out of or in connection with the sale or lease of goods or the rendering of services and whether or not earned by performance, and all rights now or hereafter existing in and to all supporting obligations and in and to all security agreements, mortgages, Liens, leases, letters of credit and other contracts securing or otherwise relating to the foregoing property (any and all of such accounts, chattel paper, instruments, deposit accounts, letter-of-credit rights, general intangibles and other obligations, to the extent not referred to in subsection (d), (e) or (f) below, being the “ Receivables ,” and any and all such

 

2


supporting obligations, security agreements, mortgages, Liens, leases, letters of credit and other contracts being the “Related Contracts”);

(d) the following (collectively, the “ Security Collateral ”):

(i) the Initial Pledged Equity and the certificates, if any, representing the Initial Pledged Equity, and all dividends, distributions, return of capital, cash, instruments and other property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of the Initial Pledged Equity and all warrants, rights or options issued thereon or with respect thereto;

(ii) the Initial Pledged Debt and the instruments, if any, evidencing the Initial Pledged Debt, and all interest, cash, instruments and other property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of the Initial Pledged Debt;

(iii) all additional shares of stock and other Equity Interests from time to time acquired by such Grantor in any manner (such shares and other Equity Interests, together with the Initial Pledged Equity, being the “ Pledged Equity ”), and the certificates, if any, representing such additional shares or other Equity Interests, and all dividends, distributions, return of capital, cash, instruments and other property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of such shares or other Equity Interests and all warrants, rights or options issued thereon or with respect thereto; provided, however , that Security Collateral shall not include more than 65% of the voting Equity Interests of any Foreign Subsidiary or any Subsidiary that is a disregarded entity for United States federal income tax purposes and the assets substantially all of which consist of the Equity Interests of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries;

(iv) all additional indebtedness from time to time owed to such Grantor (such indebtedness, together with the Initial Pledged Debt, being the “ Pledged Debt ”) and the instruments, if any, evidencing such indebtedness, and all interest, cash, instruments and other property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of such indebtedness;

(v) the Securities Accounts, the Commodities Accounts, all Pledged Commodity Contracts from time to time carried in the Commodities Accounts, all security entitlements with respect to all financial assets from time to time credited to the Securities Accounts or the Commodities Accounts, and all financial assets, and all dividends, distributions, return of capital, interest, cash, instruments and other property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of such Pledged Commodity Contracts, security entitlements or financial assets and all warrants, rights or options issued thereon or with respect thereto; and

(vi) all other investment property (including, without limitation, all (A) securities, whether certificated or uncertificated, (B) security entitlements, (C) securities accounts, (D) commodity contracts and (E) commodity accounts) in which such Grantor has now, or acquires from time to time hereafter, any right, title or interest in any manner, and the certificates or instruments, if any, representing or evidencing such investment property, and all dividends, distributions, return of capital, interest, cash, instruments and other property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of such investment property and all warrants, rights or options issued thereon or with respect thereto;

 

3


(e) each of the agreements listed on Schedule V hereto and each Secured Hedge Agreement to which such Grantor is now or may hereafter become a party, in each case as such agreements may be amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time (collectively, the “ Assigned Agreements ”), including, without limitation, (i) all rights of such Grantor to receive moneys due and to become due under or pursuant to the Assigned Agreements, (ii) all rights of such Grantor to receive proceeds of any insurance, indemnity, warranty or guaranty with respect to the Assigned Agreements, (iii) claims of such Grantor for damages arising out of or for breach of or default under the Assigned Agreements and (iv) the right of such Grantor to terminate the Assigned Agreements, to perform thereunder and to compel performance and otherwise exercise all remedies thereunder (all such Collateral being the “ Agreement Collateral ”);

(f) the following (collectively, the “ Account Collateral ”):

(i) the Pledged Deposit Accounts, the Collateral Account and all funds and financial assets from time to time credited thereto (including, without limitation, all Cash Equivalents), and all certificates and instruments, if any, from time to time representing or evidencing the Pledged Deposit Accounts or the Collateral Account;

(ii) all promissory notes, certificates of deposit, checks and other instruments from time to time delivered to or otherwise possessed by the Collateral Agent for or on behalf of such Grantor in substitution for or in addition to any or all of the then existing Account Collateral; and

(iii) all interest, dividends, distributions, cash, instruments and other property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of the then existing Account Collateral; and

(g) the following (collectively, the “ Intellectual Property Collateral ”):

(i) all patents, patent applications, utility models and statutory invention registrations, all inventions claimed or disclosed therein and all improvements thereto (“ Patents ”);

(ii) all trademarks, service marks, domain names, trade dress, logos, designs, slogans, trade names, business names, corporate names and other source identifiers, whether registered or unregistered (provided that no security interest shall be granted in United States intent-to-use trademark applications to the extent that, and solely during the period in which, the grant of a security interest therein would impair the validity or enforceability of such intent-to-use trademark applications under applicable federal law), together, in each case, with the goodwill symbolized thereby (“ Trademarks ”);

(iii) all copyrights, including, without limitation, copyrights in Computer Software (as hereinafter defined), internet web sites and the content thereof, whether registered or unregistered (“ Copyrights ”);

(iv) all computer software, programs and databases (including, without limitation, source code, object code and all related applications and data files), firmware and documentation and materials relating thereto, together with any and all maintenance rights, service rights, programming rights, hosting rights, test rights, improvement rights, renewal rights and indemnification rights and any substitutions, replacements, improvements, error corrections, updates and new versions of any of the foregoing (“ Computer Software ”);

 

4


(v) all confidential and proprietary information, including, without limitation, know-how, trade secrets, manufacturing and production processes and techniques, inventions, research and development information, databases and data, including, without limitation, technical data, financial, marketing and business data, pricing and cost information, business and marketing plans and customer and supplier lists and information (collectively, “ Trade Secrets ”), and all other intellectual, industrial and intangible property of any type, including, without limitation, industrial designs and mask works;

(vi) all registrations and applications for registration for any of the foregoing, including, without limitation, those registrations and applications for registration set forth in Schedule IV hereto, together with all reissues, divisions, continuations, continuations-in-part, extensions, renewals and reexaminations thereof;

(vii) all tangible embodiments of the foregoing, all rights in the foregoing provided by international treaties or conventions, all rights corresponding thereto throughout the world and all other rights of any kind whatsoever of such Grantor accruing thereunder or pertaining thereto;

(viii) all agreements, permits, consents, orders and franchises relating to the license, development, use or disclosure of any of the foregoing to which such Grantor, now or hereafter, is a party or a beneficiary (all of the foregoing collectively referred to as “ IP Agreements ”); and

(ix) any and all claims for damages and injunctive relief for past, present and future infringement, dilution, misappropriation, violation, misuse or breach with respect to any of the foregoing, with the right, but not the obligation, to sue for and collect, or otherwise recover, such damages;

(h) the commercial tort claims described in Schedule VII hereto (together with any commercial tort claims as to which the Grantors have complied with the requirements of Section 17 , the “ Commercial Tort Claims Collateral ”);

(i) all books and records (including, without limitation, customer lists, credit files, printouts and other computer output materials and records) of such Grantor pertaining to any of the Collateral; and

(j) all proceeds of, collateral for, income, royalties and other payments now or hereafter due and payable with respect to, and supporting obligations relating to, any and all of the Collateral (including, without limitation, proceeds, collateral and supporting obligations that constitute property of the types described in subsections (a) through (i) of this Section 1 ) and, to the extent not otherwise included, all (A) payments under insurance (whether or not the Collateral Agent is the loss payee thereof), or any indemnity, warranty or guaranty, payable by reason of loss or damage to or otherwise with respect to any of the foregoing Collateral, and (B) cash.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Agreement shall not constitute a grant of security interest in (and the term “Collateral” shall be deemed not to include) (A) any joint venture, lease, license, contract, property rights or agreement to which any Grantor is a party or any of its rights or interests thereunder, to the extent that and for so long as (but only for so long as), the grant of such security interest shall (1) constitute or result in the abandonment, invalidation or unenforceability under applicable law of any right, title or interest of any Grantor therein or (2) constitute or result in a material breach or termination pursuant to the terms of, or a material default, under, any such joint venture, lease, license, contract, property rights or agreement (other than to the extent that any such term would be rendered ineffective pursuant to Sections 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the UCC (or any successor

 

5


provision or provisions)); provided that such Grantor shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain consents necessary for the granting of such Lien on such property hereunder; or (B) any Equipment owned by any Grantor that is subject to a purchase money Lien or a Capitalized Lease (as defined in the Credit Agreement) permitted pursuant to the Credit Agreement if the contract or other agreement in which such Lien is granted (or in the documentation providing for such Capitalized Lease) prohibits the creation of any other Lien on such Equipment, but only, in each case, to the extent and for so long as (but only for so long as), the Indebtedness (as defined in the Credit Agreement) secured by the applicable Lien or the applicable Capitalized Lease has not been repaid in full or the applicable prohibition has not otherwise been removed or terminated; provided that any proceeds, substitutions or replacements of any property included in subclauses (A) and (B) above shall not be excluded (unless such proceeds, substitutions or replacements would itself constitute property excluded under subclause (A) or (B)).

SECTION 2. Security for Obligations . This Agreement secures, in the case of each Grantor, the payment of all Obligations, “Guaranteed Obligations” (as defined in the Domestic Guaranty), Cash Management Obligations, Secured Hedge Obligations and Bilateral Obligations of such Grantor now or hereafter existing, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, and whether for principal, reimbursement obligations, interest, fees, premiums, penalties, indemnifications, contract causes of action, costs, expenses or otherwise (all such obligations being the “ Secured Obligations ”). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this Agreement secures, as to each Grantor, the payment of all amounts that constitute part of the Secured Obligations and would be owed by such Grantor to any Secured Party under the Loan Documents, but for the fact that they are unenforceable or not allowable due to the existence of a bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding involving a Loan Party. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or the Credit Agreement to the contrary, (i) the aggregate principal amount of all Bilateral Obligations secured hereby shall not exceed $40,000,000 and (ii) to the extent that Bilateral Obligations are cash collateralized or otherwise secured (other than pursuant to this Agreement), such Bilateral Obligations shall not be secured hereby.

SECTION 3. Grantors Remain Liable . Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, (a) each Grantor shall remain liable under the contracts and agreements included in such Grantor’s Collateral to the extent set forth therein to perform all of its duties and obligations thereunder to the same extent as if this Agreement had not been executed, (b) the exercise by the Collateral Agent of any of the rights hereunder shall not release any Grantor from any of its duties or obligations under the contracts and agreements included in the Collateral and (c) no Secured Party shall have any obligation or liability under the contracts and agreements included in the Collateral by reason of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, nor shall any Secured Party be obligated to perform any of the obligations or duties of any Grantor thereunder or to take any action to collect or enforce any claim for payment assigned hereunder.

SECTION 4. Delivery and Control of Security Collateral . (a) All certificates or instruments representing or evidencing Security Collateral in excess of $2,500,000 in principal amount individually shall be delivered to and held by or on behalf of the Collateral Agent pursuant hereto and shall be in suitable form for transfer by delivery, or shall be accompanied by duly executed instruments of transfer or assignment in blank, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Collateral Agent shall have the right, at any time, to (i) transfer to or to register in the name of the Collateral Agent or any of its nominees any or all of the Security Collateral and (ii) exchange certificates or instruments representing or evidencing Security Collateral for certificates or instruments of smaller or larger denominations; provided that the Collateral Agent provides written notice to the applicable Grantor.

(b) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, promptly upon the request of the Collateral Agent, with respect to any Security Collateral that constitutes an uncertificated security, the relevant Grantor will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the

 

6


issuer thereof either (i) to register the Collateral Agent as the registered owner of such security or (ii) to agree with such Grantor and the Collateral Agent that upon receipt of a notice of exclusive control following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, such issuer will comply with instructions with respect to such security originated by the Collateral Agent without further consent of such Grantor, such agreement to be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (such agreement being an “ Uncertificated Security Control Agreement ”).

(c) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, promptly upon the request of the Collateral Agent, with respect to the Securities Accounts and any Security Collateral that constitutes a security entitlement with an aggregate value in excess of $2,500,000 and as to which the financial institution acting as Collateral Agent hereunder is not the securities intermediary, the relevant Grantor will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the securities intermediary with respect to such Account or security entitlement either (i) to identify in its records the Collateral Agent as the entitlement holder thereof or (ii) to agree with such Grantor and the Collateral Agent that such securities intermediary will comply with entitlement orders originated by the Collateral Agent without further consent of such Grantor, such agreement to be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (a “ Securities Account Control Agreement ”).

(d) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, promptly upon the request of the Collateral Agent, with respect to the Commodities Accounts and any Security Collateral that constitutes a commodity contract with an aggregate value in excess of $2,500,000 at any time, such Grantor will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the commodity intermediary with respect to such Account or commodity contract either (i) to identify in its records the Collateral Agent as the beneficiary thereof or (ii) to agree in an agreement with such Grantor and the Collateral Agent that such commodity intermediary will apply any value distributed on account of such commodity contract as directed by the Collateral Agent without further consent of such Grantor, such authenticated record to be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (such agreement being a “ Commodity Account Control Agreement ”).

(e) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Collateral Agent shall have the right to transfer to or to register in the name of the Collateral Agent or any of its nominees any or all of the Security Collateral, subject only to the revocable rights specified in Section 14(a) . In addition, the Collateral Agent shall have the right upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default to convert Security Collateral consisting of financial assets held directly by the Collateral Agent to Security Collateral consisting of financial assets credited to one or more of the applicable Securities Accounts or the Collateral Account.

(f) Upon the request of the Collateral Agent upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, each Grantor will notify each issuer of Security Collateral granted by it hereunder that such Security Collateral is subject to the security interest granted hereunder.

SECTION 5. Maintaining the Collateral Account; Pledged Deposit Accounts . So long as any Loan or any other Obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall remain unpaid (other than contingent indemnification obligations not yet accrued and payable and which by their terms survive termination of the Loan Document), any Letter of Credit shall be outstanding, or any Lender shall have any Commitment; provided that Letters of Credit shall be deemed no longer outstanding hereunder in accordance with the Cash Collateralization or back-to-back letter of credit provisions set forth in Section 2.03(g) of the Credit Agreement:

(a) Subject to the last sentence of this Section 5(a) , each Grantor will maintain the Collateral Account and the Pledged Deposit Accounts only with the financial institution acting as

 

7


Collateral Agent hereunder or with a bank (a “ Pledged Account Bank ”) that has agreed with such Grantor and the Collateral Agent to comply, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, with instructions originated by the Collateral Agent directing the disposition of funds in such deposit account without the further consent of such Grantor, such agreement to be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (a “ Deposit Account Control Agreement ”); provided, however , this Section 5(a) shall not apply to deposit accounts (i) to the extent the average daily balance, measurable over a trailing 30-day period, on deposit in each such deposit account does not exceed $5,000,000 at any time or (ii) operated solely as a payroll account. Subject to the last sentence of this Section 5(a) , each Grantor agrees that at no time shall the average daily balance, measurable over a trailing 30-day period, on deposit in all deposit accounts for which there is not in effect a Deposit Account Control Agreement exceed $15,000,000. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or any other Loan Documents to the contrary, the Grantors shall not have any obligation to execute and deliver or otherwise subject any deposit account to an Account Control Agreement during the first 120 days following the Closing Date (or such later date as the Collateral Agent may otherwise agree in its sole and reasonable discretion).

(b) The Collateral Agent may, at any time and without notice to, or consent from, the Grantor, transfer, or direct the transfer of, funds from the Pledged Deposit Accounts or the Collateral Account to satisfy the Grantor’s Obligations under the Loan Documents if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

SECTION 6. Investing of Amounts in the Collateral Account . During periods when the Collateral Agent exercises sole control over the Collateral Account, the Collateral Agent shall, subject to the provisions of Sections 5 , 7 and  22 : (a) from time to time, invest, or direct the applicable Pledged Account Bank to invest, amounts received with respect to the Collateral Account in such Cash Equivalents credited to the Collateral Account as the Borrower may select and the Collateral Agent may approve, (b) from time to time, invest interest paid on the Cash Equivalents referred to in subsection (a) above and reinvest other proceeds of any such Cash Equivalents that may mature or be sold, in each case in such Cash Equivalents credited in the same manner, (c) deposit interest and proceeds that are not invested or reinvested in Cash Equivalents as provided above in the Collateral Account and (d) have the right to exchange, or direct the applicable Pledged Account Bank to exchange, such Cash Equivalents for similar Cash Equivalents of smaller or larger determinations, or for other Cash Equivalents, credited to the Collateral Account.

SECTION 7. Release of Amounts . To the extent that (i) any proceeds were deposited in the Collateral Account or a Pledged Deposit Account during the continuance of an Event of Default and (ii) there are remaining proceeds in such Collateral Account or Pledged Deposit Account upon the termination of such Event of Default, so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Collateral Agent will pay and release, or direct the applicable Pledged Account Bank to pay and release, to the applicable Grantor or at its order or, at the request of such Grantor, to the Collateral Agent to be applied to the Obligations of the Grantors under the Loan Documents, such amount, if any, as is then on deposit in such Collateral Account or Pledged Deposit Account, in each case to the extent permitted to be released under the terms of the Credit Agreement.

SECTION 8. Representations and Warranties . Each Grantor represents and warrants as follows:

(a) Such Grantor’s exact legal name, as defined in Section 9-503(a) of the UCC, is correctly set forth in Schedule VIII hereto. Such Grantor’s location, chief executive office, type of organization, jurisdiction of organization and organizational identification number, if any, is set forth in Schedule VIII hereto and is accurate in all material respects. Within the five years preceding the date hereof, such Grantor has not changed its legal name, location (as defined in the UCC), chief executive

 

8


office, type of organization, jurisdiction of organization or organizational identification number, if any, from those set forth in Schedule VIII hereto except as set forth in Schedule IX hereto.

(b) Such Grantor is the legal and beneficial owner of the Collateral granted or purported to be granted by it free and clear of any Lien, claim, option or right of others, except for the security interest created under this Agreement or otherwise permitted under the Credit Agreement. No effective financing statement or other instrument similar in effect covering all or any part of the Collateral or listing such Grantor as debtor is on file in any relevant recording office, except such as may have been filed in favor of the Collateral Agent relating to the Loan Documents or as otherwise permitted under the Credit Agreement.

(c) All of the Equipment and Inventory (other than Equipment and Inventory that is (i) located at customer or supplier locations in the normal course of business or (ii) in transit or out for repair or further process) of such Grantor are located at the places specified therefor in Schedule X hereto or at another location as to which such Grantor has complied with the requirements of Section 10(a) or otherwise have an aggregate book value of no more than $10,000,000.

(d) None of the Receivables or Agreement Collateral is evidenced by a promissory note or other instrument in excess of (i) $5,000,000 individually and (ii) $10,000,000 in the aggregate, that has not been delivered to the Collateral Agent.

(e) If such Grantor is an issuer of Security Collateral, such Grantor confirms that it has received notice of the security interest granted hereunder.

(f) The Pledged Equity pledged by such Grantor hereunder has been duly authorized and validly issued and is fully paid and non-assessable (to the extent such term is applicable). The Pledged Debt pledged by such Grantor hereunder has been duly authorized, authenticated or issued and delivered, is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the issuers thereof, is not in default and, to the extent applicable, is evidenced by one or more promissory notes (which promissory notes have been delivered to the Collateral Agent).

(g) The Initial Pledged Equity pledged by such Grantor constitutes the percentage of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the issuers thereof indicated on Schedule I hereto. The Initial Pledged Debt constitutes all of the outstanding indebtedness in excess of (i) $2,500,000 individually and (ii) $5,000,000 in the aggregate, owed to such Grantor by the issuers thereof and is outstanding in the principal amount indicated on Schedule I hereto.

(h) Such Grantor has no material investment property, other than the material investment property listed on Schedule I hereto and additional investment property as to which such Grantor has complied with the requirements of Section 4 .

(i) The Assigned Agreements to which such Grantor is a party, true and complete copies of which (other than the Secured Hedge Agreements) have been furnished to the Collateral Agent, have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by all parties thereto, have not been amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, other than in accordance with their terms, are in full force and effect and are binding upon and enforceable against all parties thereto in accordance with their terms. There exists no material default under any Assigned Agreement to which such Grantor is a party by any party thereto. Each party to the Assigned Agreements listed on Schedule V hereto to which such Grantor is a party other than the Grantors has executed and delivered to such Grantor a consent, in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto or otherwise in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to

 

9


the Collateral Agent, to the grant of a security interest in such Assigned Agreement to the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Agreement.

(j) Such Grantor has no deposit accounts to the extent that the average daily balance, measurable over a 30-day trailing period, on deposit in each such deposit account does not exceed $5,000,000 other than the Collateral Account, Pledged Deposit Accounts listed on Schedule II hereto and additional Pledged Deposit Accounts as to which such Grantor has complied with the applicable requirements of Section 5 .

(k) Such Grantor is not a beneficiary or assignee under any letter of credit in a face amount greater than $5,000,000 other than the letters of credit described in Schedule XI hereto and additional letters of credit as to which such Grantor has complied in all material respects with the requirements of Section 16 .

(l) This Agreement creates in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties a valid first priority security interest, except as otherwise provided for under the Loan Documents, in the Collateral granted by such Grantor, securing the payment of the Secured Obligations. Each Grantor has authorized the Collateral Agent to file financing and continuation statements under the UCC and record Intellectual Property Security Agreements referred to in Section 13(d) with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the U.S. Copyright Office necessary to perfect a first priority security interest in the respective Collateral, as applicable, subject to certain exceptions contained herein and in the Credit Agreement.

(m) No authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any governmental authority or regulatory body or any other third party is required (other than as otherwise provided for under the Credit Agreement or this Agreement) for (i) the grant by such Grantor of the security interest granted hereunder or for the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by such Grantor, (ii) the perfection (to the extent required hereunder and excluding any security interest in cash) or maintenance of the security interest created hereunder (including the first priority nature of such security interest), except for the filing of financing and continuation statements under the UCC, which financing statements have been duly filed and are in full force and effect, the recordation of the Intellectual Property Security Agreements referred to in Section 13(d) with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the U.S. Copyright Office, any filings outside the United States required to perfect a security interest in Material Intellectual Property Collateral, and the actions described in Section 4 with respect to the Security Collateral, which actions have been taken and are in full force and effect, or (iii) the exercise by the Collateral Agent of its voting or other rights provided for in this Agreement or the remedies in respect of the Collateral pursuant to this Agreement, except as may be required in connection with the disposition of any portion of the Security Collateral by laws affecting the offering and sale of securities generally.

(n) The Inventory that has been produced or distributed by such Grantor has been produced in material compliance with all requirements of applicable Law, including, without limitation, the Fair Labor Standards Act.

(o) As to itself and its Intellectual Property Collateral:

(i) Except as either individually or in the aggregate could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and to the knowledge of each Grantor, the operation of such Grantor’s business as currently conducted and the use of the Material Intellectual Property Collateral (as defined below) in connection therewith do not infringe, misappropriate, dilute, misuse or otherwise violate the intellectual property rights of any third party.

 

10


(ii) Such Grantor is the exclusive owner or joint owner of all right, title and interest in and to the Material Intellectual Property Collateral, or is entitled to use all Material Intellectual Property Collateral subject only to the terms of the related IP Agreements.

(iii) The Intellectual Property Collateral set forth on Schedule VI hereto includes all patents, patent applications, trademark registrations and applications and copyright registrations and applications that are Material Intellectual Property Collateral.

(iv) The Material Intellectual Property Collateral is subsisting and has not been adjudged invalid or unenforceable in whole or part, and to the best knowledge of such Grantor, is valid and enforceable.

(v) The consummation of the Transactions will not result in the termination or impairment of any of the Material Intellectual Property Collateral.

(vi) With respect to each material IP Agreement that constitutes a material license, release, covenant not to sue, non-assertion assurance, or other material right granted by such Grantor to any Person with respect to any part of the Material Intellectual Property Collateral (other than (A) licenses granted to such Grantor’s customers in the ordinary course of business and (B) patent cross-licenses entered into in the ordinary course of such Grantor’s patent licensing business), the effect of which would create a material impairment of such Grantor’s use of such Material Intellectual Property Collateral as intended in the operation of its respective business, except as could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (A) such IP Agreement is valid and binding and in full force and effect and represents the entire agreement between the respective parties thereto with respect to the subject matter thereof; (B) such IP Agreement will not cease to be valid and binding and in full force and effect on terms identical to those currently in effect as a result of the rights and interest granted herein, nor will the grant of such rights and interest constitute a material breach or default under such IP Agreement or otherwise give any party thereto a right to terminate such IP Agreement; (C) such Grantor has not received any notice of termination or cancellation under such IP Agreement; (D) such Grantor has not received any notice of a breach or default under such IP Agreement, which breach or default has not been cured; and (E) neither such Grantor nor any other party to such IP Agreement is in breach or default thereof in any material respect, and no event has occurred that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a breach or default or permit termination, modification or acceleration under such IP Agreement.

(p) Such Grantor has no commercial tort claims in excess of $5,000,000 other than those listed in Schedule VII hereto and additional commercial tort claims as to which such Grantor has complied with the requirements of Section 17 .

SECTION 9. Further Assurances . (a) Each Grantor agrees that from time to time, at the expense of such Grantor, such Grantor will promptly execute and deliver, or otherwise authenticate, all further instruments and documents, and take all further commercially reasonable action that is necessary, or that the Collateral Agent may reasonably request, in order to perfect (if and to the extent perfection is required hereunder) and protect any pledge or security interest granted or purported to be granted by such Grantor hereunder or to enable the Collateral Agent to exercise and enforce its rights and remedies hereunder with respect to any Collateral of such Grantor. Each Grantor further agrees that it shall, at the expense of such Grantor, take any and all commercially reasonable actions necessary to defend title to the Collateral against all Persons and to defend the security interest created hereunder and the priority thereof against any Lien prohibited under the Credit Agreement.

 

11


(b) Each Grantor hereby authorizes the Collateral Agent to file one or more financing or continuation statements, and amendments thereto, including, without limitation, one or more financing statements indicating that such financing statements cover all assets or all personal property (or words of similar effect) of such Grantor, regardless of whether any particular asset described in such financing statements falls within the scope of the UCC or the granting clause of this Agreement. A photocopy or other reproduction of this Agreement shall be sufficient as a financing statement where permitted by law.

(c) Each Grantor will furnish to the Collateral Agent from time to time statements and schedules further identifying and describing the Collateral of such Grantor and such other reports in connection with such Collateral as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request, all in reasonable detail.

(d) Upon notice by the Collateral Agent, the Borrower will furnish to the Collateral Agent on or prior to the fifth anniversary of the date hereof (but not more than six months prior thereto), an opinion of counsel, from outside counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, to the effect that all financing or continuation statements have been filed, and all other action has been taken to perfect continuously from the date hereof the security interest granted hereunder.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Collateral Document, this Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of Sections 6.12(a) and 6.12(c) , as applicable, of the Credit Agreement.

(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Collateral Document, none of the Grantors shall be obligated to take any steps toward perfection in the People’s Republic of China.

SECTION 10. As to Equipment and Inventory . Each Grantor will keep its Equipment (other than Equipment that is located at a customer or supplier location in the ordinary course of business) and Inventory (other than Inventory on consignment or sold in the ordinary course of business) at the places therefor specified in Section 8(c) or, upon 30 days’ prior written notice to the Collateral Agent, at such other places designated by such Grantor in such notice.

(a) Each Grantor will cause its Equipment to be maintained and preserved in accordance with Section 6.06 of the Credit Agreement.

(b) Each Grantor will pay promptly when due all property and other material taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon, and all claims (including, without limitation, claims for labor, materials and supplies) against, its Equipment and Inventory, except to the extent payment thereof is not required by Section 6.04 of the Credit Agreement. In producing its Inventory, each Grantor will comply with all requirements of applicable Law, including, without limitation, the Fair Labor Standards Act.

SECTION 11. Insurance . Each Grantor will, at its own expense, maintain insurance as required by the terms of the Credit Agreement. Each such policy shall in addition (i) name the Collateral Agent as loss payee or additional insured party, as applicable, thereunder (without any representation or warranty by or obligation upon the Collateral Agent) as their interests may appear, (ii) provide that there shall be no recourse against the Collateral Agent for payment of premiums or other amounts with respect thereto and (iii) provide that at least 10 days’ prior written notice of cancellation or of lapse shall be given to the Collateral Agent by the insurer. Each Grantor will, if so reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent, deliver to the Collateral Agent original or duplicate policies of such insurance. Reimbursement under any liability insurance maintained by any Grantor pursuant to this Section 11 may be paid directly to the

 

12


Person who shall have incurred liability covered by such insurance. Any insurance proceeds related to a loss involving damage to Equipment or Inventory shall be applied as set forth in the Credit Agreement.

SECTION 12. Post-Closing Changes . Each Grantor agrees to promptly notify the Collateral Agent in writing of any change to its legal name, type of organization, jurisdiction of organization, organizational identification number (if any) or location from those set forth in Schedule VIII hereto and shall take all action reasonably required by the Collateral Agent for the purposes of perfecting (if and to the extent perfection is required hereunder) or protecting the security interest granted by this Agreement. Each Grantor will hold and preserve its records relating to the Collateral, including, without limitation, the Assigned Agreements and Related Contracts, and will permit representatives of the Collateral Agent at any reasonable time during normal business hours to inspect and make abstracts from such records and other documents, upon reasonable advance notice to such Grantor; provided that, excluding any such visits and inspections during the continuance of an Event of Default, only the Collateral Agent may exercise rights under this Section 12 and the Collateral Agent shall not exercise such rights more often than one (1) time during any calendar year absent the existence of an Event of Default; provided further that, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party (or any respective representative or independent contractor) may do any of the foregoing at the reasonable expense of such Grantor at any time during normal business hours and upon reasonable advance notice. If any Grantor does not have an organizational identification number and later obtains one, within thirty (30) days, it will notify the Collateral Agent of such organizational identification number.

SECTION 13. As to Intellectual Property Collateral . (a) With respect to each item of its Intellectual Property Collateral that constitutes Material Intellectual Property (“ Material Intellectual Property Collateral ”), except to the extent failure to act could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, with respect to each item of its Material Intellectual Property Collateral, each Grantor agrees to take, at its expense, commercially reasonable actions that it determines are necessary in accordance with the exercise of its business discretion, including, without limitation, register in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the U.S. Copyright Office and any other governmental authority, to (i) maintain the validity and enforceability of such Material Intellectual Property Collateral and maintain such Material Intellectual Property Collateral in full force and effect, and (ii) pursue the registration and maintenance of each patent, trademark, or copyright registration or application, now or hereafter included in such Material Intellectual Property Collateral of such Grantor, including, without limitation, the payment of required fees and taxes, the filing of responses to office actions issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the U.S. Copyright Office or other governmental authorities, the filing of applications for renewal or extension, the filing of affidavits under Sections 8 and 15 of the U.S. Trademark Act, the filing of divisional, continuation, continuation-in-part, reissue and renewal applications or extensions, the payment of maintenance fees and the participation in interference, reexamination, opposition, cancellation, infringement and misappropriation proceedings, in all cases except (x) in accordance with prudent industry practice, in the reasonable judgment of management or that is uneconomical, negligible, obsolete or otherwise not material in the conduct of its business or (y) pursuant to a transaction permitted by Section 7.04 of the Credit Agreement or Section 7.05 of the Credit Agreement.

(b) Except as could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, no Grantor shall do or permit any act or knowingly omit to do any act whereby any of its Material Intellectual Property Collateral may lapse, be terminated or become invalid or unenforceable or placed in the public domain (or, in case of a trade secret, lose its competitive value).

(c) Except when failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect, each Grantor shall take commercially reasonable actions that it determines are

 

13


necessary in accordance with the exercise of its business discretion to preserve and protect each item of its Material Intellectual Property Collateral.

(d) With respect to its Material Intellectual Property Collateral, on the Closing Date or such later date as provided under the terms of the Credit Agreement or which the Collateral Agent consents to in writing, each Grantor agrees to execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent, with respect to all Material Intellectual Property Collateral that is registered or with respect to which registration is pending (i) an agreement, in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit B hereto or otherwise in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (a “ Copyright Security Agreement ”), (ii) an agreement, in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit C hereto or otherwise in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (a “ Patent Security Agreement ”) and (iii) an agreement, in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit D hereto or otherwise in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (a “ Trademark Security Agreement ” and, together with each Copyright Security Agreement and each Patent Security Agreement, the “ Intellectual Property Security Agreements ”), in each case for recording the security interest granted hereunder to the Collateral Agent in such Material Intellectual Property Collateral with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office or the U.S. Copyright Office, as applicable.

(e) Each Grantor agrees that should it obtain an ownership interest in any item of the type set forth in Section 1(g) that is not on the date hereof a part of the Material Intellectual Property Collateral (“ After-Acquired Material Intellectual Property ”) (i) the provisions of this Agreement shall automatically apply thereto, and (ii) any such After-Acquired Material Intellectual Property and, in the case of trademarks, the goodwill symbolized thereby, shall automatically become part of the Material Intellectual Property Collateral if and to the extent such After-Acquired Material Intellectual Property meets the definition of Material Intellectual Property Collateral, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement with respect thereto. Promptly following the delivery of each Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 6.02(b) of the Credit Agreement, as set forth in Section 6.14(b) of the Credit Agreement, each Grantor shall provide written notice to the Collateral Agent identifying the After-Acquired Material Intellectual Property consisting of patents, patent applications, trademark registrations, trademark applications, copyright registrations, and copyright applications that is Material Intellectual Property Collateral acquired during such fiscal year, and such Grantor shall execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent with such written notice, or otherwise authenticate, an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (an “ IP Domestic Security Agreement Supplement ”) covering such After-Acquired Material Intellectual Property that constitutes Material Intellectual Property Collateral, which IP Domestic Security Agreement Supplement shall be recorded with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the U.S. Copyright Office and any other governmental authorities necessary to perfect the security interest hereunder in such After-Acquired Material Intellectual Property. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, nothing in this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall require any Loan Party or any of their Subsidiaries to make any filings or take any actions to record or perfect the Administrative Agent’s Lien on and security interest in any intellectual property Collateral other than Collateral that is Material Intellectual Property.

(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Collateral Document, no Grantor shall be obligated to (a) effect any filings with respect to Material Intellectual Property Collateral outside of the country of such Grantor’s incorporation or formation, or (b) perfect any Lien in any intellectual property established in any jurisdiction other than such Grantor’s jurisdiction of incorporation or formation.

SECTION 14. Voting Rights; Dividends; Etc. (a) So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and the Collateral Agent has not given notice to the Borrower:

 

14


(i) Each Grantor shall be entitled to exercise any and all voting and other consensual rights pertaining to the Security Collateral of such Grantor or any part thereof for any purpose; provided , however , that such Grantor will not exercise or refrain from exercising any such right if such action would have a material adverse effect on the value of the Security Collateral or any part thereof or on the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent or the other Secured Parties under this Agreement or the ability of the Collateral Agent or the other Secured Parties to exercise the same.

(ii) Each Grantor shall be entitled to receive and retain any and all dividends, interest and other distributions paid in respect of the Security Collateral of such Grantor if and to the extent that the payment thereof is not otherwise prohibited by the terms of the Loan Documents; provided , however , that any and all dividends, interest and other distributions paid or payable other than in cash in respect of, and instruments and other property received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of, or in exchange for, any Security Collateral shall be, and shall be forthwith delivered to the Collateral Agent to hold as Security Collateral and shall, if received by such Grantor, be received in trust for the benefit of the Collateral Agent, be segregated from the other property or funds of such Grantor and be forthwith delivered to the Collateral Agent as Security Collateral in the same form as so received (with any necessary indorsement).

(iii) The Collateral Agent will execute and deliver (or cause to be executed and delivered) to each Grantor all such proxies and other instruments as such Grantor may reasonably request for the purpose of enabling such Grantor to exercise the voting and other rights that it is entitled to exercise pursuant to paragraph (i) above and to receive the dividends or interest payments that it is authorized to receive and retain pursuant to paragraph (ii) above.

(b) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and following notice from the Collateral Agent to the Borrower:

(i) All rights of each Grantor (x) to exercise or refrain from exercising the voting and other consensual rights that it would otherwise be entitled to exercise pursuant to Section 14(a)(i) shall, upon notice to such Grantor by the Collateral Agent, cease and (y) to receive the dividends, interest and other distributions that it would otherwise be authorized to receive and retain pursuant to Section 14(a)(ii) shall automatically cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in the Collateral Agent, which shall thereupon have the sole right to exercise or refrain from exercising such voting and other consensual rights and to receive and hold as Security Collateral such dividends, interest and other distributions.

(ii) All dividends, interest and other distributions that are received by any Grantor contrary to the provisions of paragraph (i) of this Section 14(b) shall be received in trust for the benefit of the Collateral Agent, shall be segregated from other funds of such Grantor and shall be forthwith paid over to the Collateral Agent as Security Collateral in the same form as so received (with any necessary indorsement).

SECTION 15. As to the Assigned Agreements . (a) For each Assigned Agreement listed on Schedule V hereto, each Grantor party to such Assigned Agreement will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause each party to such Assigned Agreements other than a Grantor to execute and deliver a consent, to the extent such consent is required pursuant to the terms of the UCC, and in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto or otherwise in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, granting a security interest in such Assigned Agreement to the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Agreement.

 

15


(b) Each Grantor will at its expense:

(i) perform and observe all terms and provisions of the Assigned Agreements to be performed or observed by it, maintain the Assigned Agreements to which it is a party in full force and effect, enforce the Assigned Agreements to which it is a party in accordance with the terms thereof and take all such commercially reasonable action to such end as may be reasonably requested from time to time by the Collateral Agent; and

(ii) furnish to the Collateral Agent promptly upon receipt thereof copies of all material notices, requests and other documents received by such Grantor under or pursuant to the Assigned Agreements to which it is a party, and from time to time (A) furnish to the Collateral Agent such information and reports regarding the Assigned Agreements and such other Collateral of such Grantor as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request and (B) upon reasonable request of the Collateral Agent, make to each other party to any Assigned Agreement to which it is a party such demands and requests for information and reports or for action as such Grantor is entitled to make thereunder.

(c) Each Grantor agrees that it will not, to the extent prohibited by the Credit Agreement:

(i) cancel or terminate any Assigned Agreement to which it is a party or consent to or accept any cancellation or termination thereof;

(ii) amend, amend and restate, supplement or otherwise modify any such Assigned Agreement or give any consent, waiver or approval thereunder;

(iii) waive any default under or material breach of any such Assigned Agreement; or

(iv) take any other action in connection with any such Assigned Agreement that would impair the value of the interests or rights of such Grantor thereunder or that would impair the interests or rights of any Secured Party.

(d) Each Grantor hereby consents on its behalf and on behalf of its Subsidiaries to the assignment and pledge to the Collateral Agent for benefit of the Secured Parties of each Assigned Agreement to which it is a party by any other Grantor hereunder.

(e) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and the written request of the Collateral Agent, each Grantor shall instruct each other party to each Assigned Agreement to which it is a party, that all payments due or to become due under or in connection with such Assigned Agreement shall be made directly to the Collateral Account or a Pledged Deposit Account subject to a Deposit Account Control Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent.

(f) All moneys received or collected pursuant to subsection (e) above shall be (i) released to the applicable Grantor on the terms set forth in Section 7 so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or (ii) if any Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, applied as provided in Section 22(b) .

SECTION 16. As to Letter-of-Credit Rights . Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, if any Grantor is at any time a beneficiary under a letter of credit issued in favor of such Grantor, such Grantor shall promptly notify the Collateral Agent thereof and, at the request and

 

16


option of the Collateral Agent, such Grantor shall, pursuant to an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, either (i) use commercially reasonable efforts to arrange for the issuer and any confirmer of such letter of credit to consent to an assignment to the Collateral Agent of the proceeds of any drawing under the letter of credit or (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to arrange for the Collateral Agent to become the transferee beneficiary of the letter of credit, with the Collateral Agent agreeing, in each case, that the proceeds of any drawing under the letter of credit are to be paid to the applicable Grantor unless an Event of Default has occurred or is continuing.

SECTION 17. Commercial Tort Claims . Each Grantor will promptly give notice to the Collateral Agent of any commercial tort claim individually in excess of $5,000,000 that may arise after the date hereof and will immediately execute or otherwise authenticate a supplement to this Agreement, and otherwise take all necessary action, to subject such commercial tort claim to the first priority security interest created under this Agreement.

SECTION 18. Transfers and Other Liens; Additional Shares . (a) Each Grantor agrees that it will not (i) sell, assign or otherwise dispose of, or grant any option with respect to, any of the Collateral, other than sales, assignments and other dispositions of Collateral and options relating to Collateral permitted under the terms of the Credit Agreement or (ii) create or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any of the Collateral of such Grantor except for the pledge, assignment and security interest created under this Agreement and Liens permitted under the Loan Documents.

(b) Each Grantor agrees that it will (i) cause each issuer of the Pledged Equity pledged by such Grantor not to issue any Equity Interests or other securities in addition to or in substitution for the Pledged Equity issued by such issuer, except to such Grantor (except for director’s qualifying shares and shares issued to foreign nationals to the extent required by applicable law, or as otherwise required by law), and (ii) pledge hereunder, immediately upon its acquisition (directly or indirectly) thereof, any and all additional Equity Interests or other securities (subject to Section 1(d)(iii) with respect to any Equity Interest in any Foreign Subsidiary).

SECTION 19. Collateral Agent Appointed Attorney in Fact . Each Grantor hereby irrevocably appoints the Collateral Agent such Grantor’s attorney in fact, with full authority in the place and stead of such Grantor and in the name of such Grantor or otherwise, from time to time, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, in the Collateral Agent’s reasonable discretion, to take any action and to execute any instrument that the Collateral Agent may deem necessary or advisable to effect the provisions of this Agreement, including, without limitation:

(a) to obtain and adjust insurance required to be paid to the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 11 ,

(b) to ask for, demand, collect, sue for, recover, compromise, receive and give acquittance and receipts for moneys due and to become due under or in respect of any of the Collateral,

(c) to receive, indorse and collect any drafts or other instruments, documents and chattel paper, in connection with subsection (a)  or (b)  above, and

(d) to file any claims or take any action or institute any proceedings that the Collateral Agent may deem necessary or desirable for the collection of any of the Collateral or otherwise to enforce compliance with the terms and conditions of any Assigned Agreement or the rights of the Collateral Agent with respect to any of the Collateral.

 

17


SECTION 20. Collateral Agent May Perform . If any Grantor fails to perform any agreement contained herein, the Collateral Agent may, but without any obligation to do so, with notice (or upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, without notice), itself perform, or cause performance of, such agreement, and the expenses of the Collateral Agent incurred in connection therewith shall be payable by such Grantor under Section 23 .

SECTION 21. The Collateral Agent’s Duties . The powers conferred on the Collateral Agent hereunder are solely to protect the Secured Parties’ interest in the Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon it to exercise any such powers. Except for the safe custody of any Collateral in its possession and the accounting for moneys actually received by it hereunder, the Collateral Agent shall have no duty (other than as imposed by law, this Agreement or any other Loan Document) as to any Collateral, as to ascertaining or taking action with respect to calls, conversions, exchanges, maturities, tenders or other matters relative to any Collateral, whether or not any Secured Party has or is deemed to have knowledge of such matters, or as to the taking of any necessary steps to preserve rights against any parties or any other rights pertaining to any Collateral. The Collateral Agent shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and preservation of any Collateral in its possession if such Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which it accords its own property and will not be liable or responsible for any loss or damage to any Collateral, or for any diminution in the value thereof, by reason of any act or omission of any sub-agent or bailee selected by the Collateral Agent in good faith, except to the extent that such liability arises from the Collateral Agent’s gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.

SECTION 22. Remedies . Subject to Section 8.02 of the Credit Agreement, if any Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing:

(a) The Collateral Agent may exercise in respect of the Collateral, in addition to other rights and remedies provided for herein or otherwise available to it, all the rights and remedies of a secured party upon default under the UCC (whether or not the UCC applies to the affected Collateral) and also may: (i) require each Grantor to, and each Grantor hereby agrees that it will at its expense and upon request of the Collateral Agent forthwith, assemble all or part of the Collateral as directed by the Collateral Agent and make it available to the Collateral Agent at a place and time to be designated by the Collateral Agent that is reasonably convenient to both parties; (ii) without notice except as specified below, sell the Collateral or any part thereof in one or more parcels at public or private sale, at any of the Collateral Agent’s offices or elsewhere, for cash, on credit or for future delivery, and upon such other terms as the Collateral Agent may deem commercially reasonable; (iii) occupy any premises owned or, to the extent lawful and permitted, leased by any of the Grantors where the Collateral or any part thereof is assembled or located for a reasonable period in order to effectuate its rights and remedies hereunder or under law, without obligation to such Grantor in respect of such occupation; and (iv) exercise any and all rights and remedies of any of the Grantors under or in connection with the Collateral, or otherwise in respect of the Collateral, including, without limitation, (A) any and all rights of such Grantor to demand or otherwise require payment of any amount under, or performance of any provision of, the Assigned Agreements, the Receivables, the Related Contracts and the other Collateral, (B) withdraw, or cause or direct the withdrawal, of all funds with respect to the Account Collateral and (C) exercise all other rights and remedies with respect to the Assigned Agreements, the Receivables, the Related Contracts and the other Collateral, including, without limitation, those set forth in Section 9-607 of the UCC. Each Grantor agrees that, to the extent notice of sale shall be required by law, at least ten days’ notice to such Grantor of the time and place of any public sale or the time after which any private sale is to be made shall constitute reasonable notification. The Collateral Agent shall not be obligated to make any sale of Collateral regardless of notice of sale having been given. The Collateral Agent may adjourn any public or private sale from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed therefor, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which it was so adjourned. Each Grantor

 

18


recognizes that in light of such applicable restrictions and limitations arising under Federal and state securities laws, the Collateral Agent may, with respect to any sale of the Pledged Equity, limit the purchasers to those who will agree, among other things, to acquire such Pledged Equity for their own account, for investment, and not with a view to the distribution or resale thereof. In the event of any such sale, the Collateral Agent shall incur no responsibility or liability for selling all or any part of the Pledged Equity at a price that the Collateral Agent, in its sole and absolute discretion, may in good faith deem reasonable under the circumstances, notwithstanding the possibility that a substantially higher price might have been realized if the sale were deferred until after registration as aforesaid or if more than a single purchaser were approached.

(b) Any cash held by or on behalf of the Collateral Agent and all cash proceeds received by or on behalf of the Collateral Agent in respect of any sale of, collection from, or other realization upon all or any part of the Collateral may, in the discretion of the Collateral Agent, be held by the Collateral Agent as collateral for, or at any time thereafter applied (after payment of any amounts payable to the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 23 ) in whole or in part by the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties against, all or any part of the Secured Obligations, as set forth in Section 8.03 of the Credit Agreement.

(c) All payments received by any Grantor under or in connection with any Assigned Agreement or otherwise in respect of the Collateral shall be received in trust for the benefit of the Collateral Agent, shall be segregated from other funds of such Grantor and shall be forthwith paid over to the Collateral Agent in the same form as so received (with any necessary indorsement).

(d) The Collateral Agent may, without notice to any Grantor except as required by law and at any time or from time to time, charge, set off and otherwise apply all or any part of the Secured Obligations against any funds held with respect to the Account Collateral or in any other deposit account.

(e) The Collateral Agent may send to each bank, securities intermediary, commodity intermediary or issuer party to any Deposit Account Control Agreement, Securities Account Control Agreement, Commodity Account Control Agreement or Uncertificated Security Control Agreement a “Notice of Exclusive Control” (or similar term) as defined in and under such Agreement.

(f) In the event of any sale or other disposition of any of the Intellectual Property Collateral of any Grantor, the goodwill symbolized by any Trademarks subject to such sale or other disposition shall be included therein, and such Grantor shall supply to the Collateral Agent or its designee such Grantor’s know-how and expertise, and documents and things relating to any Intellectual Property Collateral subject to such sale or other disposition, and such Grantor’s customer lists and other records and documents relating to such Intellectual Property Collateral and to the manufacture, distribution, advertising and sale of products and services of such Grantor.

(g) If the Collateral Agent shall determine to exercise its right to sell all or any of the Security Collateral of any Grantor pursuant to this Section 22 , each Grantor agrees that, upon request of the Collateral Agent, such Grantor will, at its own reasonable expense, do or cause to be done all such other commercially reasonable acts and things as may be reasonably necessary to make such sale of such Security Collateral or any part thereof valid and binding and in compliance with applicable law.

(h) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the exercise of remedies by the Collateral Agent under this Agreement upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default shall be subject to Section 8.02 of the Credit Agreement.

 

19


SECTION 23. Indemnity and Expenses . (a) Each Grantor agrees to indemnify, defend and save and hold harmless each Secured Party and each Representative Party (as defined below) of any of the foregoing Persons (each, an “ Indemnified Party ”) from and against, and shall pay on demand, any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) that may be incurred by or asserted or awarded against any Indemnified Party, in each case arising out of or in connection with or resulting from this Agreement (including, without limitation, enforcement of this Agreement), provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or such Indemnitee’s Representative Parties or (y) result from a claim brought by any Grantor against an Indemnitee for breach of such Indemnitee’s obligations under this Agreement, if such Grantor has obtained a final judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. For purposes of this Section 23(a) , “ Representative Partie s” means, as to any Person, (i) such Person’s officers, directors and employees and (ii) such Person’s Affiliates, agents, advisers and other representatives, in each case to the extent acting at the direction of such Person.

(b) Each Grantor will within 30 days of written demand pay to the Collateral Agent the amount of any and all reasonable expenses, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of its counsel and of any experts and agents, that the Collateral Agent may incur in connection with (i) the custody, preservation, use or operation of, or the sale of, collection from or other realization upon, any of the Collateral of such Grantor, (ii) the exercise or enforcement of any of the rights of the Collateral Agent or the other Secured Parties hereunder or (iii) the failure by such Grantor to perform or observe any of the provisions hereof.

SECTION 24. Amendments; Waivers; Additional Grantors; Etc. (a) No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, and no consent to any departure by any Grantor herefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Collateral Agent and the Grantors, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given. No failure on the part of the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to exercise, and no delay in exercising any right hereunder, shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right.

(b) Upon the execution and delivery by any Person of a security agreement supplement in substantially the form of Exhibit E hereto (each a “ Security Agreement Supplement ”), such Person shall be referred to as an “ Additional Grantor ” and shall be and become a Grantor hereunder, and each reference in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to “Grantor” shall also mean and be a reference to such Additional Grantor, each reference in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to the “ Collateral ” shall also mean and be a reference to the Collateral granted by such Additional Grantor and each reference in this Agreement to a Schedule shall also mean and be a reference to the schedules attached to such Security Agreement Supplement.

SECTION 25. Notices, Etc. All notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall be either (i) in writing (including telegraphic, telecopier or telex communication) and mailed, telegraphed, telecopied, telexed or otherwise delivered or (ii) by electronic mail (if electronic mail addresses are designated as provided below) confirmed immediately in writing, in the case of the US Borrower or the Collateral Agent (as provided for the Administrative Agent thereunder), addressed to it at its address specified in the Credit Agreement and, in the case of each Grantor other than the US Borrower, addressed to it at its address set forth opposite such Grantor’s name on the signature pages hereto or on the signature page to the Security Agreement Supplement pursuant to which it became a party hereto; or, as to any

 

20


party, at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to the other parties. All such notices and other communications shall be deemed to be given or made upon the earlier to occur of (i) actual receipt by the relevant party hereto and (ii) (A) if delivered by hand or by courier, when signed for by or on behalf of the relevant party hereto; (B) if delivered by mail, four (4) Business Days after deposit in the mails, postage prepaid; (C) if delivered by facsimile, when sent and receipt has been confirmed; and (D) if delivered by electronic mail, when delivered. Delivery by telecopier of an executed counterpart of any amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or of any Security Agreement Supplement or Schedule hereto shall be effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart thereof.

SECTION 26. Continuing Security Interest; Assignments under the Credit Agreement . This Agreement shall create a continuing security interest in the Collateral and shall (a) remain in full force and effect until the latest of (i) the payment in full in cash of the Secured Obligations (other than (x) obligations with respect to Secured Hedge Agreements, (y) Cash Management Obligations not yet due and payable and (z) the contingent obligations not yet accrued and payable under the Loan Documents), (ii) the Maturity Date for the Revolving Credit Facility, (iii) the Maturity Date for the Term Loan Facility and (iv) the termination or expiration of all Letters of Credit, (b) be binding upon each Grantor, its successors and assigns and (c) inure, together with the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent hereunder, to the benefit of the Secured Parties and their respective permitted successors, transferees and assigns. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing subsection (c), any Lender may assign or otherwise transfer all or any portion of its rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement (including, without limitation, all or any portion of its Commitments, the Loans owing to it and the Note or Notes, if any, held by it) to any other Person, and such other Person shall thereupon become vested with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to such Lender herein or otherwise, in each case as provided in Section 10.07 of the Credit Agreement.

SECTION 27. Release; Termination . (a) Upon any sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of any item of Collateral of any Grantor in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents (other than sales of Inventory in the ordinary course of business), the Collateral Agent will, at such Grantor’s expense, execute and deliver to such Grantor such documents as such Grantor shall reasonably request to evidence the release of such item of Collateral from the assignment and security interest granted hereby; provided , however , that (i) such Grantor shall have delivered to the Collateral Agent a written request for release describing the item of Collateral and the terms of the sale, lease, transfer or other disposition in reasonable detail, including, without limitation, the price thereof and any expenses in connection therewith, together with a form of release for execution by the Collateral Agent and a certificate of such Grantor to the effect that the transaction is in compliance with the Loan Documents and as to such other matters as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request and (ii) the proceeds of any such sale, lease, transfer or other disposition required to be applied, or any payment to be made in connection therewith, in accordance with Section 2.05 of the Credit Agreement shall, to the extent so required, be paid or made to, or in accordance with the instructions of, the Collateral Agent when and as required under Section 2.05 of the Credit Agreement.

(b) Upon the latest of (i) the payment in full in cash of the Secured Obligations (other than (x) obligations with respect to Secured Hedge Agreements, (y) Cash Management Obligations not yet due and payable and (z) contingent indemnification obligations not yet accrued and payable under the Loan Documents), (ii) the Maturity Date for the Revolving Credit Facility, (iii) the Maturity Date for the Term Loan Facility and (iv) the cash collateralization, back-stop (on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent), termination or expiration of all Letters of Credit, the pledge and security interest granted hereby shall terminate and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to the applicable Grantor. Upon any such termination, the Collateral Agent will, at the applicable Grantor’s expense, execute and deliver to such Grantor such documents as such Grantor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination.

 

21


SECTION 28. Execution in Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by telecopier shall be effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Agreement.

SECTION 29. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

[REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.]

 

22


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Grantor has caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above written.

 

SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES FINANCE
        COMPANY, LLC
By:     /s/ Jeffrey Cote
    Name:   Jeffrey Cote
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer
  Address for Notices:
   

c/o Sensata Technologies

529 Pleasant Street

Attleboro, MA 02703

 

Domestic Security Agreement


SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
By:     /s/ Jeffrey Cote
    Name:   Jeffrey Cote
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer
  Address for Notices:
   

529 Pleasant Street

Attleboro, MA 02703

 

Domestic Security Agreement


SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES MASSACHUSETTS, INC.
By:     /s/ Jeffrey Cote
    Name:   Jeffrey Cote
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer
  Address for Notices:
   

529 Pleasant Street

Attleboro, MA 02703

 

Domestic Security Agreement


Schedule I to the

Domestic Security Agreement

INVESTMENT PROPERTY

Part I

Initial Pledged Shares

 

Grantor

 

Issuer

 

Class of
Equity
Interest

   Par Value    Certificate
No(s)
   Number of
Shares
   Percentage
of
Outstanding
Shares

Part II

Initial Pledged Debt

 

Grantor

 

Debt
Issuer

 

Description of

Debt

   Debt
Certificate
No(s)
   Final Maturity    Outstanding
Principal
Amount

Part III

Other Investment Property

 

Grantor

 

Issuer

 

Name of
Investment

   Certificate
No(s)
   Amount    Other
Identification


Schedule II to the

Domestic Security Agreement

PLEDGED DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS

 

Grantor

 

Type of Account

 

Name and
Address
of Bank

   Account Number


Schedule III to the

Domestic Security Agreement

SECURITIES ACCOUNTS

 

Grantor

 

Type of Account

 

Name and
Address of
Securities
Intermediary

   Account Number


Schedule IV to the

Domestic Security Agreement

COMMODITIES ACCOUNTS

 

Grantor

 

Type of Account

 

Name and
Address of
Commodity
Intermediary

   Account Number


Schedule V to the

Domestic Security Agreement

ASSIGNED AGREEMENTS

 

Grantor

  

Assigned Agreement


Schedule VI to the

Domestic Security Agreement

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

I. Patents

 

Grantor

   Patent
Titles
   Country    Patent No.    Application No.    Filing Date    Issue Date

II. Trademarks

 

Grantor

   Country    Mark    Reg.
No.
   Application
No.
   Filing
Date
   Issue
Date

III. Copyrights

 

Grantor

   Country    Title    Reg.
No.
   Application
No.
   Filing
Date
   Issue
Date


Schedule VII to the

Domestic Security Agreement

COMMERCIAL TORT CLAIMS


Schedule VIII to the

Domestic Security Agreement

LOCATION, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICE, TYPE OF ORGANIZATION, JURISDICTION OF

ORGANIZATION AND ORGANIZATIONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

 

Grantor   Location   Chief
Executive
Office
   Type of
Organization
   Jurisdiction
of
Organization
   Organizational
I.D. No.


Schedule IX to the

Domestic Security Agreement

CHANGES IN NAME, LOCATION, ETC.


Schedule X to the

Domestic Security Agreement

LOCATION OF EQUIPMENT AND INVENTORY

[ Name of Grantor ]

Locations of Equipment:

Locations of Inventory:

[ Name of Grantor ]

Locations of Equipment:

Locations of Inventory:


Schedule XI to the

Domestic Security Agreement

LETTERS OF CREDIT

 

Beneficiary
(Grantor)

 

Issuer

 

Nominated
Person
(if any)

   Account
Party
   Number    Maximum
Available
Amount
   Date


Schedule XII to the

Domestic Security Agreement

BILATERAL OBLIGATIONS

Exhibit 99.1

SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES ANNOUNCES WAIVER OF CERTAIN CONDITIONS TO

ITS PENDING TENDER OFFERS FOR ITS 8% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2014 AND ITS

9% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2016

Almelo, the Netherlands, May 11, 2011

Sensata Technologies Holding N.V. (NYSE: ST) (“Sensata”), a global designer and manufacturer of sensors and controls, today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Sensata Technologies B.V. (the “Issuer”), has waived the following conditions to its previously announced cash tender offers and consent solicitations with respect to all of the Issuer’s outstanding 8% Senior Notes due 2014 (the “Dollar Notes”) and 9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2016 (the “Euro Notes” and together with the Dollar Notes, the “Notes”): (i) the receipt of the requisite consents necessary to adopt proposed amendments to each indenture governing the Notes (the “Proposed Amendments”) and (ii) the execution of the supplemental indentures giving effect to the Proposed Amendments.

The principal purpose of the consent solicitations and the Proposed Amendments is (i) to eliminate substantially all of the restrictive covenants, (ii) to eliminate or modify certain events of default and (iii) to eliminate or modify related provisions contained in the indentures governing the Notes. In order for the Proposed Amendments to be effective with respect to an applicable series of Notes, holders of at least a majority of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of such series of Notes must consent to the Proposed Amendments. Holders who tender Notes are obligated to consent to the Proposed Amendments and holders may not deliver consents without tendering the related Notes.

Each holder who validly tenders and does not subsequently validly withdraw its Notes and delivers and does not subsequently validly revoke its consent to the Proposed Amendments with respect to such Notes prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on May 11, 2011, unless extended (the “Consent Date”), will receive (i) with respect to the Dollar Notes accepted for purchase by the Issuer, Total Consideration of $1,022.50 per $1,000 principal amount of such Notes, which includes $992.50 as the Tender Offer Consideration and $30.00 as a Consent Payment, and (ii) with respect to the Euro Notes accepted for purchase by the Issuer, Total Consideration of €1,048.75 per €1,000 principal amount of such Notes, which includes €1,018.75 as the Tender Offer Consideration and €30.00 as a Consent Payment. In addition, accrued interest up to, but not including, the Applicable Payment Date of the Notes will be paid in cash on all validly tendered and accepted Notes.

Each of the tender offers is scheduled to expire at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on May 25, 2011, unless extended (the “Expiration Date”). Tendered Notes may be withdrawn and consents may be revoked at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on May 11, 2011, unless extended (the “Withdrawal Date”), but not thereafter. Holders who validly tender their Notes and deliver their consents after the Consent Date will receive only the Tender Offer Consideration applicable to such Notes and will not be entitled to receive a Consent Payment if such Notes are accepted for purchase pursuant to the tender offers.


The Issuer reserves the right, at any time or times following the Consent Date but prior to the Expiration Date, to accept for purchase all of the Dollar and/or the Euro Notes (each such time, the “Early Acceptance Time”) validly tendered prior to the Early Acceptance Time. If the Issuer exercises this option, it will pay the Total Consideration for the Dollar Notes and/or the Euro Notes, as applicable, accepted for purchase at the Early Acceptance Time on a date (each such date, the “Early Payment Date”) promptly following the Early Acceptance Time. The Issuer will also pay on the Early Payment Date accrued and unpaid interest up to, but not including, the Early Payment Date on the Notes accepted for purchase at the Early Acceptance Time. The Issuer currently expects that the Early Payment Date will be May 12, 2011.

Except as amended hereby, the tender offers and consent solicitations remain subject to all of the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the related Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement dated April 28, 2011 (the “Offer to Purchase”).

The Issuer’s obligation to accept for purchase and to pay for the Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) and consents validly delivered (and not validly revoked), pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, will continue to be subject to, and conditioned upon, certain conditions, including: (a) the receipt by the Issuer of the proceeds from a previously announced issuance of new senior notes; (b) the effectiveness of a previously announced new senior secured credit facility; and (c) the satisfaction of other general conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase.

Subject to the remaining terms and conditions of the tender offers and consent solicitations, the Issuer will, following the Expiration Date, accept for purchase all the Dollar Notes and/or the Euro Notes (such time, the “Final Acceptance Time”) validly tendered prior to the Expiration Date (or if the Issuer has exercised its early purchase option described above, all the Dollar Notes and/or the Euro Notes, as applicable, validly tendered after the Early Acceptance Time and prior to the Expiration Date). The Issuer will pay the applicable Total Consideration or Tender Offer Consideration, as the case may be, for the Dollar Notes and the Euro Notes accepted for purchase at the Final Acceptance Time on a date (each such date, the “Final Payment Date”) promptly following the Final Acceptance Time. The Issuer will also pay on the Final Payment Date accrued and unpaid interest up to, but not including, the Final Payment Date on the Notes accepted for purchase at the Final Acceptance Time. The Issuer currently expects that the Final Payment Date will be May 26, 2011.

Any Notes not tendered and purchased pursuant to the tender offers will remain outstanding, and, to the extent that the requisite consents are received, the holders thereof will be bound by the Proposed Amendments contained in the applicable supplemental indenture even though they have not consented to the Proposed Amendments. None of Sensata’s or the Issuer’s board of directors, the dealer managers and solicitation agents or any other person makes any recommendation as to whether holders of Notes should tender their Notes or deliver the related consents, and no one has been authorized to make such a recommendation.

This press release is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to sell or a solicitation of consents with respect to any securities. The complete terms and conditions of the tender offers and consent solicitations are set forth in the Offer to Purchase and the related Consent and Letter of Transmittal (the “Offer Documents”) that were sent to holders of the Notes. In any jurisdiction where the laws require the tender offers and

 

2


consent solicitations to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the tender offers and consent solicitations will be deemed made on behalf of the Issuer by Barclays Capital Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, or one or more registered brokers or dealers under the laws of such jurisdiction.

Sensata has engaged Barclays Capital Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated to act as dealer managers and solicitation agents for the tender offers and consent solicitations. With respect to the Dollar Notes, Global Bondholder Services Corporation is the information agent and depositary for the tender offers and consent solicitations. With respect to the Euro Notes, Lucid Issuer Services Limited is the information agent and tender agent for the tender offers and consent solicitations. Questions regarding the tender offers or consent solicitations may be directed to Barclays Capital Inc. at +1 (800) 438-3242 (U.S. toll-free) or +1 (212) 528-7581 (collect) or Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated at +1 (800) 624-1808 (U.S. toll-free) or +1 (212) 761-1057 (collect). Requests for the Offer Documents with respect to the Dollar Notes may be directed to Global Bondholder Services Corporation at +1 (866) 952-2200 (U.S. toll-free) or +1 (212) 430-3774 (banks and brokers only). Requests for the Offer Documents with respect to the Euro Notes should be directed to Lucid Issuer Services Limited at +44 (20) 7704-0880.

About Sensata

Sensata Technologies Holding N.V. is one of the world’s leading suppliers of sensing, electrical protection, control and power management solutions. Majority-owned by affiliates of Bain Capital Partners, LLC, a leading global private investment firm, and its co-investors, Sensata employs approximately 11,500 people in nine countries. Sensata’s products improve safety, efficiency and comfort for millions of people every day in automotive, appliance, aircraft, industrial, military, heavy vehicle, heating, air-conditioning and ventilation, data, telecommunications, recreational vehicle and marine applications.

Contacts

For Investors:

Maggie Morris

+1 (508) 236-1069

mmorris2@sensata.com

For News Media:

Linda Megathlin

+1 (508) 236-1761

lmegathlin@sensata.com

Sensata Safe Harbor Statement

Some of the statements in this news release constitute “forward-looking statements” that do not directly or exclusively relate to historical facts. The forward-looking statements made in this release reflect Sensata’s intentions, plans, expectations, assumptions and beliefs about future events and are subject to risks, including known and unknown risks. Detailed information about some of the known risks is included in Sensata’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 and Sensata’s other periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and

 

3


Exchange Commission. Because actual results could differ materially from Sensata’s intentions, plans, expectations, assumptions and beliefs about the future, you are urged to view all forward-looking statements contained in this news release with caution. Sensata does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

4

Exhibit 99.2

SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF FINANCING

TRANSACTIONS

Almelo, the Netherlands, 12 May 2011

Sensata Technologies Holding N.V. (NYSE: ST) (“Sensata”), a global designer and manufacturer of sensors and controls, today announced the completion of a series of financing transactions by its wholly–owned subsidiary, Sensata Technologies B.V. (the “Issuer”), designed to refinance substantially all of its existing indebtedness. These transactions included:

 

   

The issuance and sale of $700 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.5% senior notes due 2019 of the Issuer (the “New Senior Notes”) in a private offering; and

 

   

The execution of new senior secured credit facilities (the “New Credit Facilities”) that provide the Issuer with a $1,100 million seven year term loan facility and a $250 million five year revolving credit facility.

The New Senior Notes were issued at par and the term loans were issued at 99.5% of par. The term loan facility bears interest at variable rates which includes a LIBOR index rate (subject to a floor of 100 basis points) plus 300 basis points.

The proceeds from the New Credit Facilities and the New Senior Notes together with cash on hand were or will be promptly used to (i) repay all of the amounts currently outstanding under the Issuer’s existing term loans, 8% Senior Notes due 2014 (the “Dollar Notes”) and 9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2016 (the “Euro Notes” and together with the Dollar Notes, the “Notes”), (ii) pay all accrued interest on such indebtedness and related redemption premiums and (iii) pay all fees and expenses in connection with these refinancing transactions.

Sensata expects to write-off existing deferred financing costs and recognize as expense certain costs associated with the redemption of the Notes totaling approximately $41 million. In addition, Sensata will capitalize other transaction costs and fees totaling approximately $40 million, which will be amortized to interest expense over the term of the New Senior Notes and the New Credit Facilities.

In connection with the previously announced cash tender offers and consent solicitations with respect to all of the Issuer’s outstanding Notes, the Issuer accepted for payment and has repurchased: (i) $13,007,000 aggregate principal amount of the Dollar Notes, which notes had been validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on May 11, 2011 (the “Consent Date”), and (ii) €37,578,000 aggregate principal amount of the Euro Notes, which notes had been validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) as of the Consent Date. Holders of the Dollar Notes received total consideration of $1,022.50 per $1,000 principal amount of such Notes and holders of the Euro Notes received total consideration of €1,048.75 per €1,000 principal amount of such Notes, plus in each case, accrued interest up to, but not including, May 12, 2011.


Holders who validly tender their Notes after the Consent Date, but on or prior to 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on May 25, 2011, unless extended or earlier terminated by the Issuer (the “Expiration Date”), and whose Notes are accepted for payment, will receive: (i) with respect to Dollar Notes, the tender offer consideration equal to $992.50 per $1,000 principal amount of such Notes, and (ii) with respect to Euro Notes, the tender offer consideration equal to €1,018.75 per €1,000 principal amount of such Notes, plus in each case, accrued interest up to, but not including, the applicable payment date of the Notes (the “Tender Offer Consideration”). Holders of Notes who tender after the Consent Date will not receive the consent payment.

Subject to the terms and conditions of the tender offers and consent solicitations, the Issuer will, following the Expiration Date, accept for purchase all the Dollar Notes and/or the Euro Notes (such time, the “Final Acceptance Time”) validly tendered after the Consent Date and prior to the Expiration Date. The Issuer will pay the Tender Offer Consideration for the Dollar Notes and the Euro Notes accepted for purchase at the Final Acceptance Time on a date (the “Final Payment Date”) promptly following the Final Acceptance Time. The Issuer currently expects that the Final Payment Date will be May 26, 2011.

Any Notes not tendered and purchased pursuant to the tender offers will remain outstanding and, to the extent that the requisite consents are received, the holders thereof will be bound by the proposed amendments to the indentures governing the Notes contained in the applicable supplemental indenture even though they have not consented to the proposed amendments.

The Issuer has issued redemption notices with respect to any Notes that remain outstanding after the consummation of the tender offers in accordance with the terms of the applicable indenture. The redemption date with respect to any such Notes will be June 13, 2011.

None of Sensata’s or the Issuer’s board of directors, the dealer managers and solicitation agents or any other person makes any recommendation as to whether holders of Notes should tender their Notes or deliver the related consents, and no one has been authorized to make such a recommendation.

This press release is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to sell or a solicitation of consents with respect to any securities. The complete terms and conditions of the tender offers and consent solicitations are set forth in an Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement dated April 28, 2011 and, with respect to the Dollar Notes, the related Consent and Letter of Transmittal (the “Offer Documents”) that have been sent to holders of the Notes. In any jurisdiction where the laws require the tender offers and consent solicitations to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the tender offers and consent solicitations will be deemed made on behalf of the Issuer by Barclays Capital Inc. or Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, or one or more registered brokers or dealers under the laws of such jurisdiction.

Barclays Capital Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated are acting as dealer managers and solicitation agents for the tender offers and consent solicitations. With respect to the Dollar Notes, Global Bondholder Services Corporation is the information agent and depositary for the tender offer and consent solicitation. With respect to the Euro Notes, Lucid

 

2


Issuer Services Limited is the information agent and tender agent for the tender offer and consent solicitation. Questions regarding the tender offers or consent solicitations may be directed to Barclays Capital Inc. at +1 (800) 438-3242 (U.S. toll-free) or +1 (212) 528-7581 (collect) or Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated at +1 (800) 624-1808 (U.S. toll-free) or +1 (212) 761-1057 (collect). Requests for the Offer Documents with respect to the Dollar Notes may be directed to Global Bondholder Services Corporation at +1 (866) 952-2200 (U.S. toll-free) or +1 (212) 430-3774 (banks and brokers only). Requests for the Offer Documents with respect to the Euro Notes should be directed to Lucid Issuer Services Limited at +44 (20) 7704-0880.

About Sensata

Sensata Technologies Holding N.V. is one of the world’s leading suppliers of sensing, electrical protection, control and power management solutions. Majority-owned by affiliates of Bain Capital Partners, LLC, a leading global private investment firm, and its co-investors, Sensata employs approximately 11,500 people in nine countries. Sensata’s products improve safety, efficiency and comfort for millions of people every day in automotive, appliance, aircraft, industrial, military, heavy vehicle, heating, air-conditioning and ventilation, data, telecommunications, recreational vehicle and marine applications.

Contacts

For Investors:

Maggie Morris

+1 (508) 236-1069

mmorris2@sensata.com

For News Media:

Linda Megathlin

+1 (508) 236-1761

lmegathlin@sensata.com

Sensata Safe Harbor Statement

Some of the statements in this news release constitute “forward-looking statements” that do not directly or exclusively relate to historical facts. The forward-looking statements made in this release reflect Sensata’s intentions, plans, expectations, assumptions and beliefs about future events and are subject to risks, including known and unknown risks. Detailed information about some of the known risks is included in Sensata’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 and Sensata’s other periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Because actual results could differ materially from Sensata’s intentions, plans, expectations, assumptions and beliefs about the future, you are urged to view all forward-looking statements contained in this news release with caution. Sensata does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

3