UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
August 13, 2013
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
Franks International N.V.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
The Netherlands | 001-36053 | 98-1107145 | ||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer
Identification Number) |
Prins Bernhardplein 200
1097 JB Amsterdam, The Netherlands
(Address of principal executive offices)
+31 (0)20 52 14 777
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
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.
Tax Receivable Agreement
On August 14, 2013, in connection with the closing of its initial public offering (the Offering) of 34,500,000 shares of common stock, par value 0.01 per share (the Common Stock), Franks International N.V., a limited liability company organized under the laws of The Netherlands (the Company), entered into a tax receivable agreement (the TRA) with Franks International C.V., a limited partnership organized under the laws of The Netherlands (FICV), and Mosing Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (Mosing Holdings). Pursuant to the TRA, Mosing Holdings and its permitted transferees may exchange their FICV Portions (as defined below) for cash accompanied by the conversion of such shares into shares of the Companys Common Stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to customary conversion rate adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends and reclassifications and other similar transactions (the Exchange).
The TRA generally provides for the payment by the Company of 85% of actual reductions, if any, in payments of U.S. federal, state and local income tax or franchise tax in periods after the Offering as a result of (i) the basis increases resulting from the Exchanges and (ii) imputed interest deemed to be paid by the Company as a result of, and additional tax basis arising from, payments under the TRA. In addition, the TRA provides for payment by the Company of interest earned from the due date (without extensions) of the corresponding tax return to the date of payment specified in the TRA. The payment obligations under the TRA are the Companys obligations and are not obligations of FICV. The term of the TRA commences on August 14, 2013 and continues until all such tax benefits have been utilized or expired, unless the Company exercises its right to terminate the TRA. The payments under the TRA will not be conditioned upon a holder of rights under the TRA having a continued ownership interest in either FICV or the Company.
If the Company elects to terminate the TRA early, it would be required to make an immediate payment equal to the present value of the anticipated future tax benefits subject to the TRA (based upon certain assumptions and deemed events set forth in the TRA, including the assumption that it has sufficient taxable income to fully utilize such benefits and that any FICV interests that Mosing Holdings or its transferees own on the termination date are deemed to be exchanged on the termination date). In addition, payments due under the TRA will be similarly accelerated following certain mergers or other changes of control.
Payments under the TRA are based on the tax reporting positions that the Company will determine. The holders of rights under the TRA are not required to reimburse the Company for any payments previously made under the TRA if such basis increases or other benefits are subsequently disallowed, except that excess payments made to any such holder will be netted against payments otherwise to be made, if any, to such holder after the Companys determination of such excess. Payments under the TRA, if any, will be made pro rata among all parties to the TRA entitled to payments on an annual basis to the extent the Company has sufficient taxable income to utilize the increased tax benefits. The availability of sufficient taxable income to utilize the increased tax benefits will not be determined until such time as the financial results for the year in question are known and tax estimates prepared.
Payments are generally due under the TRA within five days following the determination of the applicable tax benefit, which generally is required to occur within 60 days of the filing of the Companys tax return for the taxable year with respect to which the payment obligation arises, although interest on such payments will begin to accrue at a rate of interest equal to LIBOR plus 5% from the due date. Except in cases where the Company elects to terminate the TRA early, the TRA is terminated early due to certain mergers or other changes of control or the Company has available cash but fails to make payments when due, generally the Company may elect to defer payments under the TRA if it does not have available cash to satisfy its payment obligations under the TRA or if the Companys contractual obligations limit its ability to make these payments. Any such deferred payments would accrue interest at a rate of interest equal to LIBOR plus 5%. To the extent that the Company is unable to make payments under the TRA for any reason, such payments will be deferred and will accrue interest until paid, and the Company will be prohibited from paying dividends on its common stock.
The foregoing description of the TRA is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the TRA, which is attached as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated in this Item 1.01 by reference.
Registration Rights Agreement
On August 14, 2013, in connection with the closing of the Offering, the Company entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the Registration Rights Agreement) with Mosing Holdings and FWW B.V., a private limited liability company organized under the laws of The Netherlands (FWW) covering 52,976,000 shares of Series A preferred stock, par value 0.01 per share (the Series A preferred stock) owned by Mosing Holdings and 119,024,000 shares of common stock owned by FWW. Pursuant to this agreement, Mosing Holdings and FWW may cause the Company to register an underwritten offering of their shares of Common Stock under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act) and to maintain an effective shelf registration statement with respect to such shares. The Registration Rights Agreement also includes customary provisions dealing with indemnification and allocation of expenses.
The foregoing description of the Registration Rights Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Registration Rights Agreement, which is attached as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated in this Item 1.01 by reference.
FICV Management Agreement
On August 14, 2013 in connection with the closing of the Offering, the Company entered into the FICV management agreement (the FICV Management Agreement) with Franks International LP B.V., a private limited partnership organized under the laws of the Netherlands (FILP), Franks International Management B.V., a private limited liability company organized under the laws of The Netherlands (FIBV) and Mosing Holdings, which constitute the partners in FICV, with respect to the operation and management of FICV in order to facilitate the activities of the Company as a publicly traded company. The FICV Management Agreement provides for the consent of the FICV partners to facilitate (i) the Companys percentage interest in FICV remaining equal to the percentage of the total number of outstanding shares of the Companys common stock and Series A preferred stock (the FINV Stock) represented by the Companys outstanding Common Stock and (ii) Mosing Holdings (together with any permitted transferees) percentage interest in FICV remaining equal to the percentage of the total number of outstanding shares of FINV Stock represented by the Companys outstanding Series A preferred stock.
The foregoing description of the FICV Management Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the FICV Management Agreement, which is attached as Exhibit 10.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated in this Item 1.01 by reference.
FICV Limited Partnership Agreement
On August 14, 2013, in connection with the closing of the Offering, FIBV, and FILP, each wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company, entered into amendment number 4 to the limited partnership agreement (the FICV Partnership Agreement) of FICV with Mosing Holdings.
Pursuant to the FICV Partnership Agreement, the Company, as the indirect sole shareholder of FIBV, the general partner of FICV, is responsible for all operational, management and administrative decisions relating to FICVs business and will consolidate the financial results of FICV and its subsidiaries. In accordance with the FICV Partnership Agreement, net profits and net losses of FICV will be allocated to its members on a pro rata basis in accordance with their respective percentage of interest in FICV.
The FICV Partnership Agreement provides for distributions to be made at the discretion of the general partner on a pro rata basis to the holders of FICV interests for purposes of funding the holders tax obligations with respect to the income of FICV allocated to them. Generally, these tax distributions will be computed based on the Companys estimate of the taxable income of FICV allocable to a holder of FICV interests multiplied by an assumed tax rate equal to the highest effective marginal combined U.S. federal, state and local income tax rate prescribed for an individual resident in Louisiana.
The FICV Partnership Agreement provides for customary mechanisms to ensure that (i) the Companys indirect percentage interest in FICV will always equal the percentage of the total number of outstanding shares of FINV Stock represented by the Companys outstanding common stock and (ii) Mosing Holdings (together with any permitted transferees) percentage interest in FICV will always equal the percentage of the total number of outstanding shares of the Companys Common Stock represented by the Companys outstanding Series A preferred stock. In this regard, the FICV Partnership Agreement provides that at any time the Company issues a share of its Common Stock, the net proceeds received by the Company with respect to such share, if any, shall be concurrently transferred to FICV and FICV will issue to the Company an additional percentage interest in FICV such that the Companys total interest in FICV will be equal to (i) the total number of shares of the Companys Common Stock issued and outstanding divided by (ii) the total number of issued and outstanding shares of FINV Stock, in each case taking into account the newly issued shares of Common Stock. Conversely, if at any time, any shares of the Companys Common Stock are redeemed, FICV shall, immediately prior to such redemption, redeem a proportionate percentage of interest in FICV held indirectly by the Company, upon the same terms and for the same price, as the shares of the Companys Common Stock are redeemed.
For purposes of any transfer or exchange of Series A preferred stock and limited partnership interest in FICV, the FICV Partnership Agreement contains provisions linking each share of Series A preferred stock to a proportionate portion of the limited partnership interest in FICV held by Mosing Holdings or its permitted transferee, which portion at any time will equal the total limited partnership interest in FICV held by Mosing Holdings or its permitted transferee divided by the total number of issued and outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock of the Company (each such portion being referred to as an FICV Portion). Mosing Holdings (or any of its permitted transferees) has the right to convert all or a portion of its Series A preferred stock into the Companys Common Stock by delivery to the Company of an equivalent number of FICV Portions. In connection with such conversion, Mosing Holdings or its permitted transferees are entitled to receive an amount of cash equal to the par value of each share of Series A preferred stock so converted plus any accrued but unpaid dividends thereon. The above mechanism is subject to customary conversion rate adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends and reclassifications.
The foregoing description of the FICV Partnership Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the FICV Partnership Agreement, which is attached as Exhibit 10.4 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated in this Item 1.01 by reference.
Credit Agreements
On August 14, 2013, in connection with the closing of the Offering, FICV (as borrower) entered into two revolving credit facilities with Amegy Bank National Association (as administrative agent), Capital One, National Association (as syndication agent) and certain other financial institutions named therein. The credit agreements provide for (i) a $100 million revolving credit facility, including up to $20 million for letters of credit and up to $10 million in swingline loans, which will mature in July 2018 (the Five Year Facility) and (ii) a $100 million revolving credit facility that will mature in July 2014 (the One Year Facility and, together with the Five Year Facility, the Credit Facilities). Subject to the terms of the credit agreements, the Company has the ability to increase the commitments under the Credit Facilities by $150 million.
Borrowings under the Credit Facilities bear interest, at the Companys option, at either a base rate or an Adjusted Eurodollar rate. Base rate loans under the Credit Facilities bear interest at a rate based off of the higher of (a) the Prime Rate as published from time to time in the Bonds, Rates & Yields section of The Wall Street Journal, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 0.5% or (c) the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate plus 1.00%, plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.50% to 1.50% (determined with reference to the Companys leverage ratio). Interest is payable quarterly for base-rate loans. Eurodollar loans under the Credit Facilities bear interest at an Adjusted Eurodollar Rate equal to the Eurodollar Rate for such interest period multiplied by the Statutory Reserves, plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.50% to 2.50% (determined with reference to the Companys leverage ratio). Interest is payable at the end of applicable interest periods for Eurodollar loans, except that if the interest period for a Eurodollar loan is longer than three months, interest is paid at the end of each three-month period. The timing of the required interest payments does not affect the calculation of the interest on the Eurodollar loans. The unused portion of the Five Year Facility is subject to a commitment fee of up to 0.375%.
The credit agreements contain various covenants that, among other things, limit the Companys ability to grant certain liens, make certain loans and investments, enter into mergers or acquisition, enter into hedging transactions, change its lines of business, prepay certain indebtedness, enter into certain affiliate transactions, incur additional indebtedness or engage in certain asset dispositions. Additionally, the credit agreements limit our ability to incur additional indebtedness subject to certain exceptions. The credit agreements also contain financial covenants, which, among other things, require the Company, on a consolidated basis, to maintain (i) a total consolidated funded debt to adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the Credit Facilities) ratio of not more than 2.50 to 1.0; and (ii) an EBITDA to interest expense ratio of not less than 3.0 to 1.0. In addition, the Credit Facilities contains customary events of default, including, among others (a) representations and warranties in the credit agreements or other loan documents being incorrect or misleading in any material respect; (b) failure to pay any principal when due or any interest, fees or other amount within certain grace periods; (c) failure to perform or otherwise comply with the covenants in the credit agreements or other loan documents, subject, in certain instances, to grace periods; (d) the actual or asserted invalidity of any material provisions of the guarantees of the indebtedness under the credit agreements; (e) default by the Company or its restricted subsidiaries on the payment of any other indebtedness with a principal amount in excess of $10 million, any default in the performance of any obligation or condition with respect to such indebtedness beyond the applicable grace period if the effect of the default is to permit or cause the acceleration of the indebtedness, or such indebtedness will be declared due and payable prior to its scheduled maturity; (f) bankruptcy or insolvency events involving the Company or its restricted subsidiaries; (g) the entry, and failure to pay, of one or more adverse judgments in excess of $10 million, upon which enforcement proceedings are commenced or that are not stayed pending appeal; and (h) the occurrence of a change in control (as defined in the Credit Facilities).
The foregoing description of the Credit Facilities is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Credit Facilities, which are attached as Exhibit 10.5 and Exhibit 10.6 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated in this Item 1.01 by reference.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Prior to the closing of the Offering, the Companys board of directors approved the adoption of the Franks International N.V. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the ESPP), which will become effective January 1, 2014 and which will enable eligible employees to purchase shares of the Companys Common Stock at a discount. Purchases will be accomplished through participation in discrete offering periods. This ESPP is intended to qualify as an employee stock purchase under section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Subject to adjustment, the ESPP limits the number of shares that may be purchased to 3,000,000 shares of the Companys Common Stock. The number of shares of Common Stock that may be granted to any single participant in any single option period will be subject to certain limitations set forth in the plan.
The foregoing description of the ESPP is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the ESPP, which is incorporated by reference as Exhibit 10.7 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated in this Item 1.01 by reference.
Relationships
As more fully described in the sections entitled Organizational Structure and Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions in the prospectus, dated August 8, 2013 (the Prospectus), filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) on August 9, 2013, pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), the Company has 153,524,000 shares of Common Stock and 52,976,000 shares of Series A preferred stock outstanding. FWW, which is controlled by two managing directors including Donald Keith Mosing, owns 119,024,000 shares of the Companys Common Stock. The remaining 34,500,000 shares are owned by the public. All 52,976,000 shares of the Companys Series A preferred stock are owned by Mosing Holdings. Additionally, the Company, indirectly through its ownership of FIBV and FILP, owns 74.2% of the limited partnership interest and a 0.1% general partnership interest in FICV. The remaining 25.7% limited partnership interest in FICV is held by Mosing Holdings.
As a result of the relationships disclosed above, certain individuals, including officers and directors of the Company, serve as officers and/or directors of more than one of such other entities.
Item 2.01. Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.
On August 14, 2013, immediately prior to the closing of the Offering and pursuant to that certain Global Transaction Agreement, dated July 22, 2013, by and among the Company and Mosing Holdings (the Global Transaction Agreement), Mosing Holdings contributed all of the outstanding membership interests in each of its wholly owned subsidiaries, which consist of Franks International, LLC, Franks Casing Crew & Rental Tools, LLC and Franks Tong Service, LLC, to FICV in exchange for 52,976,000 shares of Series A preferred stock.
The foregoing description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Global Transaction Agreement, which is incorporated by reference as Exhibit 10.8 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated in this Item 2.01 by reference.
Item 2.03. Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.
The descriptions of the Credit Facilities provided above under Item 1.01 are incorporated in this Item 2.03 by reference.
Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.
The description in Item 2.01 above regarding the issuance by the Company of 52,976,000 shares of Series A preferred stock to FICV in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Global Transaction Agreement is incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing transaction was undertaken in reliance upon the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by Section 4(a)(2) thereof.
Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
Appointment of Directors
On August 14, 2013, the supervisory board of directors of the Company (the Board) elected Kirkland D. Mosing and Steven B. Mosing to serve as members of the Board, effective August 14, 2013. There are no arrangements or understandings between Kirkland D. Mosing and Steven B. Mosing and any other persons pursuant to which Kirkland D. Mosing and Steven B. Mosing were selected as supervisory directors.
There are no relationships between Kirkland D. Mosing and Steven B. Mosing and the Company or any of its subsidiaries that would require disclosure pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. As described below, in connection with their election to the Board, the Company entered into indemnification agreements with each of Kirkland D. Mosing and Steven B. Mosing. The indemnification agreements are attached hereto as Exhibits 10.12 and 10.15 and are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
Indemnification Agreements
In connection with the closing of the Offering, the Company entered into indemnification agreements with each of its executive officers and Supervisory Directors.
The agreements provide, to the fullest extent permitted by the Companys Articles of Association (as defined below) and the law of The Netherlands, that the Company will indemnify the directors and executive officers against any and all liabilities, claims, judgments, fines, penalties, interest and expenses, including attorneys fees, incurred in connection with any expected, threatened, pending or completed action, investigation or other proceeding, whether civil, criminal or administrative, involving a director or an executive officer by reason of his position as director or officer.
The foregoing description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the indemnification agreements, which are attached as Exhibits 10.9 through 10.16 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated in this Item 1.01 by reference.
Long-Term Incentive Plan
The Companys board of directors previously adopted and established the Franks International N.V. 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the LTIP), to be effective as of immediately prior to the closing of the Offering, and to provide for the grant of certain incentive awards for the employees, directors, and consultants of the Company and its affiliates who perform services for the Company. The LTIP allows for the provision of grants of (1) stock options, (2) stock appreciation rights, (3) restricted stock, (4) restricted stock units, (5) bonus stock and awards in lieu of obligations, (6) dividend equivalents, (7) performance and annual incentive awards, and (8) other stock-based awards. The LTIP will initially be administered by the Companys supervisory board or a designated committee thereof. Subject to adjustment, the LTIP will limit the number of shares that may be delivered pursuant to awards to 20,000,000 shares of the Companys Common Stock.
The foregoing description of the LTIP is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the LTIP, which is incorporated by reference as Exhibit 10.17 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated in this Item 5.02 by reference.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
The description of the ESPP provided above under Item 1.01 is incorporated in this Item 5.02 by reference. A copy of the ESPP is incorporated by reference as Exhibit 10.7 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated in this Item 5.02 by reference.
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan
The Company adopted the Franks Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (the EDC Plan) effective as of December 24, 2004. This plan was amended and restated by the Company effective January 1, 2009. The purpose of the EDC Plan is to provide participants with an opportunity to defer receipt of a portion of their salary, bonus, commission, and any other cash or equity-based compensation approved by the plans administrative committee as eligible compensation (Participant Contributions). In addition, the Company or any designated participating employer affiliate (the Employer) may make an employer contribution for the benefit of any participant in any amount and at any time, in the Employers discretion (Company Contributions). Participant Contributions are immediately vested, while Company Contributions vest after five years of service. Distributions from the EDC Plan will be made upon the participants retirement, death, disability, or separation from service or upon a specified date or an unforeseeable emergency, pursuant to a participants elections and the terms of the EDC Plan. Distributions can be paid in a lump sum, equal annual installments over a period of years, or a combination of each, depending on the reason for the distribution and any participant elections that apply thereto. Participants in the EDC Plan will be entitled to select from a wide variety of deemed investment options available under the EDC Plan and will be allocated gains or losses based upon the performance of the deemed investments selected by the participant.
The foregoing description of the EDC Plan is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the EDC Plan, which is attached as Exhibit 10.18 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated in this Item 5.02 by reference.
Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
Amended and Restated Articles of Association
On August 13, 2013, the Company amended and restated its Articles of Association (as amended, the Articles of Association), effective as of August 14, 2013 immediately prior to the closing of the Offering. A description of the Articles of Association is contained in the Prospectus in the section entitled Description of Capital Stock and is incorporated herein by reference.
The foregoing description and the description contained in the Prospectus are not complete and each is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Articles of Association, which is filed as Exhibit 3.1 to this Current Report on 8-K and incorporated in this Item 5.03 by reference.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
Exhibit
|
Description of the Exhibit |
|
3.1 | Deed of Amendment to the Articles of Association of Franks International N.V., dated August 13, 2013 | |
10.1 | Tax Receivable Agreement, dated August 14, 2013, by and among Franks International N.V., Franks International C.V. and Mosing Holdings, Inc. | |
10.2 | Registration Rights Agreement, dated August 14, 2013, by and among Franks International N.V., Mosing Holdings, Inc. and FWW B.V. | |
10.3 | Franks International C.V. Management Agreement, dated August 14, 2013, by and among Franks International N.V., Franks International LP B.V., Franks International Management B.V. and Mosing Holdings, Inc. | |
10.4 | Amendment No. 4 to the Limited Partnership Agreement of Franks International C.V., dated August 14, 2013 |
Exhibit
|
Description of the Exhibit |
|
10.5 | Revolving Credit Agreement, dated August 14, 2013, by and among Franks International C.V. (as borrower), Amegy Bank National Association (as administrative Agent), Capital One, National Association (as syndication Agent) and the other lenders party thereto. | |
10.6 | 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement, dated August 14, 2013, by and among Franks International C.V. (as borrower); Amegy Bank National Association (as administrative Agent); Capital One, National Association (as syndication Agent) and the other lenders party thereto. | |
10.7 | Franks International N.V. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (filed as Exhibit 4.6 to the Companys Registration Statement on Form S-8 on August 13, 2013 (File No. 333-190607), and incorporated herein by reference) | |
10.8 | Global Transaction Agreement, dated July 22, 2013, by and between Franks International N.V. and Mosing Holdings, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 10.11 to Amendment No. 3 to the Companys Registration Statement on Form S-1 on July 24, 2013 (File No. 333-188536), and incorporated herein by reference) | |
10.9 | Indemnification Agreement, dated August 14, 2013, by and between Franks International N.V. and Donald Keith Mosing | |
10.10 | Indemnification Agreement, dated August 14, 2013, by and between Franks International N.V. and Brian D. Baird | |
10.11 | Indemnification Agreement, dated August 14, 2013, by and between Franks International N.V. and C. Michael Webre | |
10.12 | Indemnification Agreement, dated August 14, 2013, by and between Franks International N.V. and Kirkland D. Mosing | |
10.13 | Indemnification Agreement, dated August 14, 2013, by and between Franks International N.V. and Mark G. Margavio | |
10.14 | Indemnification Agreement, dated August 14, 2013, by and between Franks International N.V. and Sheldon Erikson | |
10.15 | Indemnification Agreement, dated August 14, 2013, by and between Franks International N.V. and Steven B. Mosing | |
10.16 | Indemnification Agreement, dated August 14, 2013, by and between Franks International N.V. and W. John Walker | |
10.17 | Franks International N.V. 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Companys Registration Statement on Form S-8 on August 13, 2013 (File No. 333-190607), and incorporated herein by reference) | |
10.18 | Franks Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2009. |
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.
Franks International N.V. | ||||||
Date: August 19, 2013 | By: | /s/ Mark G. Margavio | ||||
Name: Mark G. Margavio | ||||||
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
|
Description of the Exhibit |
|
3.1 | Deed of Amendment to the Articles of Association of Franks International N.V., dated August 13, 2013 | |
10.1 | Tax Receivable Agreement, dated August 14, 2013, by and among Franks International N.V., Franks International C.V. and Mosing Holdings, Inc. | |
10.2 | Registration Rights Agreement, dated August 14, 2013, by and among Franks International N.V., Mosing Holdings, Inc. and FWW B.V. | |
10.3 | Franks International C.V. Management Agreement, dated August 14, 2013, by and among Franks International N.V., Franks International LP B.V., Franks International Management B.V. and Mosing Holdings, Inc. | |
10.4 | Amendment No. 4 to the Limited Partnership Agreement of Franks International C.V., dated August 14, 2013 | |
10.5 | Revolving Credit Agreement, dated August 14, 2013, by and among Franks International C.V. (as borrower), Amegy Bank National Association (as administrative Agent), Capital One, National Association (as syndication Agent) and the other lenders party thereto. | |
10.6 | 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement, dated August 14, 2013, by and among Franks International C.V. (as borrower); Amegy Bank National Association (as administrative Agent); Capital One, National Association (as syndication Agent) and the other lenders party thereto. | |
10.7 | Franks International N.V. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (filed as Exhibit 4.6 to the Companys Registration Statement on Form S-8 on August 13, 2013 (File No. 333-190607), and incorporated herein by reference) | |
10.8 | Global Transaction Agreement, dated July 22, 2013, by and between Franks International N.V. and Mosing Holdings, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 10.11 to Amendment No. 3 to the Companys Registration Statement on Form S-1 on July 24, 2013 (File No. 333-188536), and incorporated herein by reference) | |
10.9 | Indemnification Agreement, dated August 14, 2013, by and between Franks International N.V. and Donald Keith Mosing | |
10.10 | Indemnification Agreement, dated August 14, 2013, by and between Franks International N.V. and Brian D. Baird | |
10.11 | Indemnification Agreement, dated August 14, 2013, by and between Franks International N.V. and C. Michael Webre | |
10.12 | Indemnification Agreement, dated August 14, 2013, by and between Franks International N.V. and Kirkland D. Mosing | |
10.13 | Indemnification Agreement, dated August 14, 2013, by and between Franks International N.V. and Mark G. Margavio | |
10.14 | Indemnification Agreement, dated August 14, 2013, by and between Franks International N.V. and Sheldon Erikson | |
10.15 | Indemnification Agreement, dated August 14, 2013, by and between Franks International N.V. and Steven B. Mosing | |
10.16 | Indemnification Agreement, dated August 14, 2013, by and between Franks International N.V. and W. John Walker | |
10.17 | Franks International N.V. 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Companys Registration Statement on Form S-8 on August 13, 2013 (File No. 333-190607), and incorporated herein by reference) | |
10.18 | Franks Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2009. |
Exhibit 3.1
UNOFFICIAL ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF
THE DEED OF AMENDMENT OF:
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL N.V.
The attached document is an unofficial English translation of the deed of amendment to the articles of association of Franks International N.V., having its corporate seat in Amsterdam, executed on August 13, 2013.
In this translation an attempt has been made to be as literal as possible without jeopardizing the overall continuity. Inevitably, differences may occur in the translation, and if so, the Netherlands text will by law govern.
INDEX
CHAPTER I |
Definitions |
Article 1 Definitions |
CHAPTER II |
Name. Corporate seat. Objects |
Article 2. Name and corporate seat |
Article 3. Objects |
CHAPTER III |
Capital and shares. Register of shareholders |
Article 4. Authorized capital |
Article 5. Quality Requirement. Conversion of Convertible Preferred Shares |
Article 6. Register of shareholders |
CHAPTER IV |
Issue of shares. Repurchase of shares. Capital reduction |
Article 7. Issue of shares. Authorized corporate body. Terms and conditions of issue. Pre-emptive rights |
Article 8. Payment for shares. Payment in cash. Non-cash Contribution |
Article 9. Repurchase of shares |
Article 10. Capital reduction |
CHAPTER V |
Transfer of shares. Usufruct. Pledge |
Article 11. Transfer of shares |
Article 12. Usufruct |
Article 13. Pledge |
Article 14. Acknowledgement pledge |
CHAPTER VI |
Board of managing directors |
Article 15. Board of managing directors |
Article 16. Suspension and dismissal |
Article 17. Board compensation |
Article 18. Decision-making. Division of duties |
Article 19. Representative authority |
Article 20. Approval of board resolutions |
Article 21. Absence or inability to act |
CHAPTER VII |
Board of supervisory directors |
Article 22. Number of members |
Article 23. Appointment |
Article 24. Suspension and dismissal. |
Article 25. Remuneration |
Article 26. Duties and powers |
Article 27. Decision-making |
CHAPTER VIII |
Annual accounts. Profits |
Article 28. Financial year. Drawing up the annual accounts |
Article 29. Auditor |
Article 30. Presentation to the shareholders. Availability. Adoption |
Article 31. Publication |
Article 32. Profits |
CHAPTER IX |
General meetings |
Article 33. Annual general meeting |
Article 34. Extraordinary general meetings |
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Article 35. Convocation. Agenda |
Article 36. Place of the meetings |
Article 37. Imperfect convocation general meeting |
Article 38. General meeting chairman |
Article 39. Minutes |
Article 40. Rights exercisable during a meeting. Admission |
Article 41. Decision making. General meeting |
Article 42. Resolutions passed outside a meeting |
CHAPTER X |
Amendment to the articles of association. Liquidation |
Article 43. Amendment to the articles of association and dissolution |
Article 44. Liquidation |
CHAPTER XI |
Indemnification and hold harmless clause |
Article 45. Indemnification and hold harmless clause |
CHAPTER XII |
Transitional provision |
Article 46. Transitional provision |
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AMENDMENT TO THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL N.V.
This day, the thirteenth day of August two thousand and thirteen, appeared before me, Pauline Francisca Maria van Leeuwen, Esq., candidate civil law notary, hereinafter referred to as the civil law notary, as substitute of Tjien Hauw Liem, Esq., civil law notary officiating in Amsterdam:
Anne Eva Klein Obbink, Esq., born in Nieuwegein, The Netherlands on the twenty-sixth day of January, nineteen hundred and eighty-eight, for these purposes electing as her place of residence the office of the aforementioned notary, J.J. Viottastraat 52, 1071 JT Amsterdam, The Netherlands, holder of the Netherlands passport with number NN7KJL8P6.
The appearing person declared as follows:
I. | PRESENT ARTICLES |
The articles of association of Franks International N.V. , a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the Netherlands, having its corporate seat in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, with address Prins Bernhardplein 200, 1097 JB Amsterdam, the Netherlands, registered with the trade register under number 34241787 (the Company), have most recently been amended by the deed executed before a substitute of Tjien Hauw Liem, Esq., civil law notary officiating in Amsterdam, on the eighth day of August two thousand and thirteen.
II. | RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION |
According to the attached written resolution (the Resolution), the Companys general meeting of shareholders has resolved to amend the Companys articles of association and to authorize the appearing person to have this deed executed and to sign it.
III. | AMENDMENT OF THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION |
Pursuant to the Resolution, the Companys articles of association are amended in such a manner that the articles of association shall henceforth read as follows:
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ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
CHAPTER I
Definitions
Article 1 Definitions
In these articles of association, the following terms shall mean:
a. | Affiliate: of any specified person, any other person which, directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified person (control of a person means the power, direct or indirect, to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such person whether by contract or otherwise; and the terms controlling and controlled have meanings correlative to the foregoing); |
b. | annual accounts: the balance sheet and profit and loss account plus explanatory notes of the company; |
c. | auditor: a registered accountant or any such other accountant as referred to in article 2:393 of the Netherlands Civil Code, or any organization in which such accountants co-operate; |
d. | beneficially owns: the ability, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship, or otherwise, to (i) vote, or to direct the voting of, a security or (ii) dispose, or to direct the disposition of, a security; |
e. | depositary receipts: depositary receipts for shares in the company. Unless the context proves otherwise, such receipts include depositary receipts issued both with and without the companys cooperation; |
f. | Family Member: a spouse, lineal ancestor, lineal descendant, legally adopted child, brother or sister of a person, or a lineal descendant or legally adopted child of a brother or sister of a person; |
g. | FICV: Franks International C.V., a limited partnership established under the laws of the Netherlands; |
h. | general meeting: the general meeting of the company; |
i. | MH: Mosing Holdings, Inc., a company established under the laws of the state of Delaware, United States of America, with its registered office at Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, County of Newcastle, Delaware 19801, United States of America; |
j. | MH CV Portion: a proportionate part of the limited partner interest which shall be held by MH in FICV, equal to the total limited partner interest in FICV held by MH divided by the total number of issued and outstanding Convertible Preferred Shares; |
k. |
Mosing Family: collectively, MH, FWW B.V., a private limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the Netherlands, Ginsoma Family C.V., a limited partnership established under the laws of the Netherlands and each of the persons |
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listed on Exhibit A hereto and each of their Affiliates, Family Members or trusts set up for the benefit of any of the persons listed on Exhibit A hereto ( provided that such Affiliates, Family Members or trusts are identified to the company in writing at its principal executive office as a person included in the definition of the Mosing Family; provided further that any person may, by written notice to the company, irrevocably waive its rights to be included as a member of the Mosing Family), for the purpose of these articles of association represented by (a) Donald Keith Mosing or (b) such other person as shall be agreed upon in writing by the members of the Mosing Family that own an aggregate of at least sixty-six and two/third percent (66 2 / 3 %) of the entire interest of the Mosing Family in the company, whereby prior to exercising any rights awarded to the Mosing Family under these articles of association such representative shall deliver to the company a certificate stating the members of the Mosing Family and the number of shares held by them; |
l. | subsidiary: |
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a legal entity in respect whereof the company or any of its subsidiaries have, whether or not pursuant to an agreement with other persons entitled to vote, can exercise either individually or collectively, more than one-half of the voting rights at the general meeting; |
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a legal entity of which the company or any of its subsidiaries are members or shareholders, and in respect of which the company or any of its subsidiaries have, either individually or collectively, the right to appoint or dismiss more than half of such legal entitys managing directors or supervisory directors, whether or not pursuant to any agreement with other persons having voting rights, and even if all persons having voting rights in fact cast their vote; |
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a partnership acting in its own name, for the liabilities of which the company or one or more subsidiaries is, as a partner, fully liable to creditors; |
m. | stock market: regulated market or multilateral trading facility, as referred to in article 1:1 of the Dutch Financial Supervision Act ( Wet Financieel Toezicht ) or a system comparable to a regulated market or multilateral trading facility in a state not being a member state of the European Economic Area. |
CHAPTER II
Name. Corporate seat. Objects
Article 2. Name and corporate seat
2.1 | The name of the company is Franks International N.V. |
2.2 | The company has its corporate seat in Amsterdam. |
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Article 3. Objects
The objects of the company are:
a. | to incorporate, participate in, conduct the management of and take any other financial interest in other companies and enterprises; |
b. | to render administrative, technical, financial, economic or managerial services to other companies, persons or enterprises; |
c. | to acquire, dispose of, manage and exploit real and personal property, including patents, marks, licenses, permits and other industrial property rights; |
d. | to borrow and/or lend monies, act as surety or guarantor in any other manner, and bind itself jointly and severally or otherwise in addition to or on behalf of others (including through the issuance of bonds, promissory notes or other securities in the widest sense of the word); |
e. | to grant security over the assets of the company and its subsidiaries; |
f. | to carry out all sorts of industrial, financial and commercial activities, including the manufacturing, import, export, purchase, sale, distribution and marketing of products and raw materials; |
g | to act as a holding company; |
the foregoing whether or not in collaboration with third parties and inclusive of the performance and promotion of all activities which directly and indirectly relate to those objects, all this in the broadest sense.
CHAPTER III
Capital and shares. Register of shareholders
Article 4. Authorized capital
4.1 | The authorized capital amounts to two million four hundred thousand euro (EUR 2,400,000) and is divided into one hundred eighty million (180,000,000) shares of common stock (Common Shares), each with a nominal value of one eurocent (EUR 0.01), and sixty million (60,000,000) shares of Series A convertible preferred stock (the Convertible Preferred Shares), each with a nominal value of one eurocent (EUR 0.01). |
Upon a conversion of Convertible Preferred Shares into Common Shares in accordance with article 5, the number of Convertible Preferred Shares of the authorized capital will be decreased and the number of Common Shares of the authorized capital will be increased, equal to the number of Convertible Preferred Shares that are converted into Common Shares.
4.2 | Wherever the term shares or shareholders is used in these articles of association, this shall be construed to mean both Common Shares and Convertible Preferred Shares or the holders of Common Shares and the holders of Convertible Preferred Shares respectively, unless the contrary has been stipulated in so many words. |
4.3 | The company shall not cooperate to the issue of depositary receipts. |
4.4 | All shares shall be in registered form. No share certificates shall be issued. The shares are non-divisible. |
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4.5 | The Common Shares shall be numbered consecutively from 1 onwards and the Convertible Preferred Shares shall be numbered consecutively from A-1 onwards. |
4.6 | For each class of shares a share premium reserve can be maintained to the extent that share premium has been paid to the class of shares concerned. Each reserve shall mention the amount that has been paid as share premium on the relevant class of shares. |
The general meeting shall be able to decide to discontinue and distribute a share premium reserve for the benefit of the holders of a particular class of shares, in whole or in part, provided that this is proposed by the meeting of holders of the relevant class of shares. Such a distribution shall be made to the shareholders of the relevant class of shares in proportion to the aggregate nominal value of their shares of that class.
Article 5. Quality Requirement. Conversion of Convertible Preferred Shares
5.1 | A holder of Convertible Preferred Shares must, for each such share he holds, simultaneously hold one MH CV Portion (this requirement hereinafter referred to as the Quality Requirement). |
Any purported transfer in violation of the provisions of this article 5 paragraph 1 shall be null and void and any purported transferee shall accordingly have no rights in respect of these articles of association or the Convertible Preferred Shares.
5.2 | Each holder of Convertible Preferred Shares shall be entitled at any time and from time to time, upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereof, to convert Convertible Preferred Shares into Common Shares (a Conversion); provided that any such Conversion is for a minimum of the lesser of one thousand (1,000) Convertible Preferred Shares or all of the Convertible Preferred Shares held by such holder, or such lesser amount as the company determines to be acceptable in its sole discretion. Upon the written election of a holder of Convertible Preferred Shares to effect a Conversion, the relevant number of Convertible Preferred Shares shall be converted into an equal number of Common Shares; provided, however, that the Conversion shall only be effective upon the transfer of a MH CV Portion for each such Convertible Preferred Share by the holder to the company. Upon Conversion, the holder shall be entitled to receive an amount in cash equal to the nominal value of each Convertible Preferred Share, increased by any accrued but unpaid dividend. |
The board of managing directors shall register any Conversion in the register of shareholders, stating the effective date. Furthermore, the board of managing directors shall without delay report any conversion, in any case within eight (8) days after the date of the Conversion, to the office of the Trade Register.
Upon a Conversion, a pro rata part of the share premium reserve maintained for the Convertible Preferred Shares shall be transferred to the share premium reserve maintained for the Common Shares.
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5.3 | The Conversion right of a holder of Convertible Preferred Shares shall be exercised by the holder (the Converting Holder) by written notice, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the Conversion Notice), to the company at its principal executive office, that the Converting Holder elects to convert all or a portion of its Convertible Preferred Shares. Such Conversion Notice shall be duly executed by such Converting Holder or such Converting Holders duly authorized representative. As promptly as practicable following any Conversion, the company shall deliver or cause to be delivered at the offices of the then-acting registrar and transfer agent of the Common Shares or, if there is no then-acting registrar and transfer agent of the Common Shares, at the principal executive office of the company, a notice confirming the number of Common Shares registered in the name of the Converting Holder pursuant to the relevant Conversion. To the extent the Common Shares are settled through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company, the company will, upon the written instruction of the Converting Holder, use its reasonable best efforts to cause the registration of the Common Shares deliverable to such Converting Holder through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company, in the account of the participant of The Depository Trust Company designated by such Converting Holder. |
5.4 | If MH (or its successor or permitted transferee) shall retire as a partner of FICV, including retirement pursuant to Article 8 of the limited partnership agreement of FICV, then all Convertible Preferred Shares held by MH (or its successor or permitted transferee) shall automatically convert (without the need to deliver a Conversion Notice) into Common Shares in the manner provided in this article, and MH (or its successor or permitted transferee) shall be required to deliver the requisite number of MH CV Portions to the company to effectuate such Conversion. |
5.5 |
If there is any reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction in which the Common Shares are converted or changed into another security, securities or other property, then upon any subsequent Conversion, each Converting Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount of such security, securities or other property that such Converting Holder would have received if such Conversion had occurred immediately prior to the effective date of such reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction, taking into account any adjustment as a result of any subdivision (by any split, distribution or dividend, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse split, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) of such security, securities or other property that occurs after the effective time of such reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction. For the avoidance of doubt, if there is any reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction in which the |
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Common Shares are converted or changed into another security, securities or other property, this article 5 paragraph 5 shall continue to be applicable, mutatis mutandis, with respect to such security or other property. |
5.6 | The company and each Converting Holder shall bear their own expenses in connection with any Conversion. |
5.7 | For the avoidance of doubt, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a holder of Convertible Preferred Shares shall not be entitled to effect a Conversion to the extent the company determines that such Conversion (i) would be prohibited by law or regulation (including, without limitation, the unavailability of any requisite registration statement filed under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act)) or (ii) would not be permitted under any other agreements with the company or its subsidiaries, to which such holder may be party or any written policies of the company related to unlawful or improper trading (including, without limitation, the policies of the company relating to insider trading). |
5.8 | To the extent that a registration statement under the Securities Act is effective and available for Common Shares to be delivered with respect to any Conversion, Common Shares that have been registered under the Securities Act shall be delivered in respect of such Conversion. In the event that any Conversion in accordance with this article 5 is to be effected at a time when any required registration has not become effective or otherwise is unavailable, upon the request and with the reasonable cooperation of the Converting Holder, the company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to promptly facilitate such Conversion pursuant to any reasonably available exemption from such registration requirements. The company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to list the Common Shares required to be delivered upon Conversion prior to such delivery upon each national securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system upon which the outstanding Common Shares may be listed or traded at the time of such delivery. |
Article 6. Register of shareholders
A shareholders register will be kept at the office of the company in accordance with applicable law; provided that the preceding shall not apply to the part of the register kept outside The Netherlands in order to comply with the laws applicable there or by virtue of any stock exchange requirements.
CHAPTER IV
Issue of shares. Repurchase of shares. Capital reduction
Article 7. Issue of shares. Authorized corporate body. Terms and conditions of issue. Pre-emptive rights
7.1 | The Company may issue shares up to the entire authorized share capital pursuant to a resolution of the board of managing directors, which resolution shall require the prior approval from the board of supervisory directors. |
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7.2 | The designation as set out in paragraph 1 of this article 7 shall be valid for a period of five years starting on August thirteen, two thousand and thirteen and ending on August thirteen, two thousand and eighteen (unless such period is extended in accordance with this article 7 paragraph 3). This designation also includes the authority to restrict or exclude pre-emptive rights upon an issue of shares. |
7.3 | The designation as set out in this article 7 paragraph 1, with or without the authority to restrict or exclude pre-emptive rights, may be extended by a resolution of the general meeting, each time for a period not exceeding five years. If the designation is extended, the number of shares which may be issued shall be determined at the same time. Unless laid down otherwise in the designation, it may not be withdrawn. |
7.4 | If the designation as set out in this article 7 paragraph 1 ends, the general meeting shall be competent to issue shares unless another body is designated for this purpose by the general meeting. The resolution of the general meeting to issue shares or to designate another body, including or excluding the assignment of the authority to exclude or limit the pre-emptive rights, other than as set out in this article 7 paragraph 1, will only be taken on the proposal of the board of managing directors, which proposal will have been approved by the board of supervisory directors. Any designation shall also determine the number of shares which may be issued and will have a duration of no more than five years. |
7.5 | The provisions of paragraph 1 up to and including paragraph 4 of this article shall apply accordingly to the granting of rights to subscribe to shares, but does not apply to the issue of shares to someone who exercises a previously acquired right to subscribe to shares. |
7.6 | If a resolution to issue shares is adopted, the issue price of the shares and the other conditions of the issue shall also be determined. |
7.7 | Subject to this article 7 paragraph 9, each holder of Common Shares shall, with respect to an issue of Common Shares, have a pre-emptive right with respect to any further share issue in proportion to the aggregate amount of his Common Shares, except if shares are issued for a non-cash consideration, shares are issued as a result of a legal merger or legal split-off or if shares are issued to employees of the company or of a group company. |
7.8 | Pre-emptive rights, if applicable, may be exercised within at least two weeks after the notification was sent to the shareholders. |
7.9 |
If the general meeting is competent to issue shares, it may also restrict or exclude pre-emptive rights. If pre-emptive rights are restricted or excluded by a resolution of the general meeting, the reasons for such proposal and the issue price of the shares must be given in writing in the proposal thereto. Pre-emptive rights may also be excluded or restricted by the body authorized to issue shares if such corporate body is also authorized by the relevant |
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resolution of the general meeting for a fixed period, not exceeding five years, to restrict or exclude the pre-emptive rights. Upon termination of the authority of the corporate body to issue shares, its authority to restrict or exclude pre-emptive rights shall also terminate. |
7.10 | A resolution of the general meeting to restrict or exclude pre-emptive rights or to authorize another corporate body for that purpose shall require a majority of at least two-thirds of the votes cast if less than one-half of the issued capital is represented at the general meeting. |
7.11 | If, on the issue of shares, an announcement is made as to the amount to be issued and only a lesser amount can be placed, such lower amount shall be placed only if the conditions of issue explicitly provide therefore. |
7.12 | At the granting of rights to subscribe to shares, the shareholders shall have a pre-emptive right. The provisions of the previous paragraphs of this article shall apply accordingly at the granting of rights to subscribe to shares. |
Shareholders shall have no pre-emptive rights in respect to shares issued to a person who exercises a right to acquire shares granted to him at an earlier date.
Article 8. Payment for shares. Payment in cash. Non-cash Contribution
8.1 | Upon the issue of a share, the nominal value must be fully paid up, and, in addition, if the share is subscribed at a higher amount, the difference between such amounts. It may be stipulated that a part, not exceeding three quarters of the nominal value needs only be paid after such part is called up by the company. |
8.2 | Persons who are professionally engaged in the placing of shares for their own account may be permitted, by agreement, to pay less than the nominal value for the shares subscribed by them, provided that no less than ninety-four percent of such amount is paid in cash not later than on the subscription for the shares. |
8.3 | Payment for shares shall be made in cash unless a non-cash contribution has been agreed. Payment in foreign currency may only be made with the companys approval, and furthermore in accordance with the relevant statutory provisions. |
8.4 | The board of managing directors, with the approval from the board of supervisory directors, may agree to a payment for shares other than in cash. |
A non-cash contribution shall occur without delay after acceptance of the share or following the day on which an additional payment is called up or agreed upon. In accordance with article 2:94b paragraph 1 of the Netherlands Civil Code, a description shall be drawn up of the contribution to be made. The description shall relate to the situation on a day no less than six months prior to the day the shares are subscribed for or the additional payment is called up or agreed upon. The managing directors shall sign the description; if the signature of any of them is lacking, this fact shall be recorded and the reasons therefor so noted.
8.5 | An auditor as mentioned in article 2:393 paragraph 1 of the Netherlands Civil Code shall issue a statement on the description of the contribution to be made. |
8.6 | The provisions set out in this article relating to the description and auditors report shall not apply to the cases referred to in article 2:94b paragraphs 3, 6 and 8 of the Netherlands Civil Code. |
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Article 9. Repurchase of shares
9.1 | The company may not subscribe for its own shares upon the issue thereof. |
9.2 | Any acquisition by the company of shares in its capital which are not fully paid up, is null and void. |
Any acquisition by the company of fully paid up shares in its capital, in violation of paragraph 3 of this article is null and void.
The term shares in this paragraph and paragraphs 3 up and including 5 of this article shall include depositary receipts.
9.3 | The company may only acquire its own fully paid-up shares without consideration, or: |
a. | if the equity decreased by the acquisition price is not less than the paid and called up part of the capital increased with the reserves which must be maintained by law or the articles of association; and |
b. | the nominal amount of the shares in the companys capital to be acquired, already held or held in pledge by the company and its subsidiaries collectively, does not exceed half of the companys issued capital. |
The company may only acquire its own fully paid-up shares with consideration if and insofar the general meeting has authorized the board of managing directors in that respect. Such authorization shall be valid for a period of no longer than eighteen months. In the authorization, the general meeting shall state the number of shares that may be acquired, how the shares may be acquired and the limits within which the price of the shares must be set. No authorization shall be required in case the company acquires shares in its capital, which are officially listed on a stock market, for the purpose of transferring such shares to employees of the company or of a group company, under a scheme applicable to such employees.
9.4 | Decisive for the validity of the acquisition shall be the value of the companys equity according to the most recently adopted balance sheet decreased with the acquisition price of shares in the companys capital, the amount of the loans as meant in article 2:98c paragraph 2 of the Netherlands Civil Code and any distributions to others out of profits or reserves which became payable by the company and its subsidiaries after the date of the balance sheet. |
If more than six months have lapsed since the expiration of a financial year without adoption of the annual accounts, an acquisition in accordance with the provisions in paragraph 3 shall not be permitted.
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9.5 | The provisions of paragraphs 2 up to and including 4 of this article do not apply to shares acquired by the company under universal succession of title ( onder algemene titel ), without prejudice of the provisions in article 2:98a paragraph 3 and paragraph 4 of the Netherlands Civil Code. |
9.6 | The company may not with a view to any other party subscribing to or acquiring the companys shares or depositary receipts, grant loans, provide security or any price guarantee, act as surety in any other manner, or bind itself jointly and severally or otherwise in addition to or on behalf of others. This prohibition shall also apply to its subsidiaries. |
This prohibition shall not apply if shares or depositary receipts are subscribed for or acquired by employees of the company or a group company.
9.7 | The company and its subsidiaries may not grant loans with a view to subscribing for its own shares or any other party acquiring shares in the capital of the company or depositary receipts, unless the board of managing directors passes a resolution and the conditions of article 2:98c paragraphs 2 up to and including 7 of the Netherlands Civil Code are fulfilled. |
9.8 | Shares or depositary receipts in the companys capital may, upon issue, not be subscribed for by or on behalf of any of its subsidiaries. The subsidiaries may acquire such shares or depositary receipts for their own account only insofar as the company is permitted to acquire its own shares or depositary receipts pursuant to paragraphs 2 up to and including 5 of this article. |
9.9 | Disposal of any shares in its own capital or depositary receipts held by the company shall require a resolution of the general meeting provided that the general meeting has not granted this authority to another corporate body. |
9.10 | The company may not cast votes in respect of shares in its own capital held by the company or such shares on which the company has a right of usufruct or pledge. Nor may any votes be cast by the pledgee or usufructuary of shares in its own capital held by the company if the right has been created by the company. No votes may be cast in respect of the shares whereof depositary receipts are held by the company. The provisions of this paragraph shall also apply to shares or depositary receipts held by any subsidiary or in respect of which any subsidiary owns a right of usufruct or pledge. |
9.11 | When determining to what extent the companys capital is represented, or whether a majority represents a certain part of the capital, the capital shall be reduced by the amount of the shares for which no votes can be cast. |
Article 10. Capital reduction
10.1 | Upon a proposal of the board of managing directors, which proposal shall be approved by the board of supervisory directors, the general meeting may resolve to reduce the issued capital of the company by a cancellation of its shares or by a reduction of the nominal value of the shares by amendment of the articles of association. |
10.2 | The relevant statutory provisions shall apply to the above mentioned resolution and the execution thereof. |
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CHAPTER V
Transfer of shares. Usufruct. Pledge
Article 11. Transfer of shares
The transfer of a share or any restricted rights thereon must be effected in accordance with applicable law.
Article 12. Usufruct
12.1 | A shareholder may freely create a right of usufruct on one or more of his shares. |
12.2 | The shareholder shall have the voting rights attached to the shares on which the usufruct has been established. |
12.3 | In deviation of the previous paragraph, the voting rights shall be vested in the usufructuary if such is determined upon the creation of the right of usufruct. |
12.4 | The shareholder without voting rights and the usufructuary with voting rights shall have the rights conferred by law upon holders of depositary receipt issued with the cooperation of the company. The usufructuary without voting rights shall also have such rights unless these are withheld from him upon the creation or transfer of the usufruct. |
12.5 | Any rights arising from the share to acquire other shares, shall vest in the shareholder on the understanding that he must compensate the usufructuary for the value thereof to the extent the usufructuary is entitled thereto pursuant to his right of usufruct. |
Article 13. Pledge
13.1 | A shareholder may create a right of pledge on one or more of his shares. |
13.2 | The shareholder shall have the voting rights attached to the shares on which the pledge has been established. |
13.3 | In deviation of the previous paragraph, the voting rights shall be vested in the pledgee if such is provided upon the creation of the pledge. |
13.4 | The shareholder without voting rights and the pledgee with voting rights shall have the rights conferred by law upon holders of depositary receipt issued with the cooperation of the company. Pledgees without voting rights shall also have such rights unless these are withheld from him upon the creation or transfer of the pledge. |
Article 14. Acknowledgement pledge
14.1 | A pledge may also be created without acknowledgement by or service on the company. In that case article 3:239 of the Netherlands Civil Code shall apply accordingly, whereby the acknowledgement by or service on the company shall take the place of the notification referred to in paragraph 3 of that article. |
14.2 | If a pledge is created without acknowledgement by or service on the company, the rights pursuant to the provisions of article 13 shall vest in the pledgee only after the pledge has been acknowledged by or has been served on the company. |
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CHAPTER VI
Board of managing directors
Article 15. Board of managing directors
15.1 | The board of managing directors shall be in charge of managing the company, subject to the restrictions set forth in these articles of association. When performing their duties, the managing directors shall be guided by the interests of the company and its affiliated business. |
15.2 | The board of managing directors shall consist of one or more managing directors. The general meeting shall determine the number of managing directors, upon the proposal of the board of supervisory directors. |
15.3 | The managing directors shall be appointed by the general meeting, on a recommendation made by the board of supervisory directors. A resolution by the general meeting to appoint a managing director may be passed by a simple majority of the votes cast. |
15.4 | The general meeting shall be free to appoint a managing director if the board of supervisory directors fails to make a recommendation within three months of the position becoming vacant. |
15.5 | A recommendation submitted on time shall be binding. However, the general meeting may disregard the recommendation if it adopts a resolution to that effect by a majority of no less than two-thirds of the votes cast, representing over one-half of the issued capital. |
15.6 | The legal relationship between a managing director and the company does not constitute an employment contract. |
Article 16. Suspension and dismissal
16.1 | The general meeting shall at all times have the power to suspend or dismiss each managing director. A resolution to suspend or dismiss a managing director may be passed by a simple majority of the votes cast. |
16.2 | Each managing director may at all times be suspended by the board of supervisory directors. The suspension may at all times be canceled by the general meeting. |
16.3 | Any such suspension may be extended several times but the total term of the suspension may not exceed three months. The suspension shall expire on lapse of this period if no resolution has been adopted either to lift the suspension or to dismiss the managing director. |
16.4 | If the general meeting has suspended a director in conformity with paragraph 1, the general meeting shall within three months of the date on which suspension has taken effect resolve either to dismiss such managing director, or to terminate or continue the suspension, failing which the suspension shall lapse. |
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A resolution to continue the suspension may be adopted only once and in such event the suspension may be continued for a maximum period of three months commencing on the day the general meeting has adopted the resolution to continue the suspension.
If within the period of continued suspension the general meeting has not resolved either to dismiss the managing director concerned or to terminate the suspension, the suspension shall lapse.
A managing director who has been suspended shall be given the opportunity to account for his actions at the general meeting.
Article 17. Board compensation
17.1 | The general policy with regard to the compensation of the board of managing directors shall be determined by the general meeting, upon a proposal of the board of supervisory directors. The compensation policy shall, at a minimum, address the items set out in articles 2:383c up to and including 2:383e of the Netherlands Civil Code, to the extent that these relate to the board of managing directors. The compensation policy shall be presented in writing to the works council, if any, for information purposes at the same time as it is submitted to the general meeting. |
17.2 | The compensation of managing directors shall be set, with due regard for the compensation policy, by the board of supervisory directors. With regard to arrangements concerning compensation in the form of shares or share options, the board of supervisory directors shall submit a proposal to the general meeting for its approval. This proposal must, at a minimum, state the number of shares or share options that may be granted to the board of managing directors and the criteria that apply to the granting of such shares or share options or the alteration of such arrangements. |
Article 18. Decision-making. Division of duties
18.1 | The board of managing directors shall meet as often as a managing director may deem necessary. |
18.2 | In the meeting of the board of managing directors, each managing director has a right to cast one vote. All resolutions by the board of managing directors shall be adopted by a simple majority of the votes cast. In the event the votes are equally divided, none of the managing directors has a decisive vote. |
18.3 | A managing director may grant another managing director a written proxy to represent him at the meeting. |
18.4 | The board of managing directors may adopt resolutions without holding a meeting, provided that the resolution is adopted in writing and all managing directors have expressed themselves in favor of the proposal. |
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18.5 | The board of managing directors may adopt rules and regulations governing its decision-making process. |
18.6 | The board of managing directors may make a division of duties, specifying the individual duties of every managing director. Such division of duties shall require the approval of the board of supervisory directors. |
18.7 | A managing director shall not participate in the deliberations and the decision making process if he has a direct or indirect personal interest which is in conflict with the interest as meant in article 15. If as a result hereof no resolution of the board of managing directors can be adopted, the resolution shall be adopted by the board of supervisory directors. |
Article 19. Representative authority
19.1 | The board of managing directors shall represent the company. The authority to represent the company shall also be vested in every managing director individually. |
19.2 | The board of managing directors may appoint officers and grant them a general or special power of attorney. Their title shall be determined by the board of managing directors. Titles may include Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary. Each officer shall represent the company within the bounds of his authorization. The appointment of officers shall require the prior approval of the board of supervisory directors. |
Article 20. Approval of board resolutions
20.1 | The board of managing directors shall require the approval of the general meeting for resolutions of the board of managing directors with regard to an important change in the identity or character of the company or its business, including in any case: |
a. | the transfer of the business of the company or almost the entire business of the company to a third party; |
b. | the entering into or termination of any long-term co-operation of the company or any subsidiary of the company with another legal entity or company or as a fully liable partner in a limited or general partnership, if such co-operation or termination is of far-reaching significance for the company; |
c. | the acquisition or disposal by the company or by a subsidiary of the company of a participation in the capital of another company with a value of at least one third of the amount of the assets according to the balance sheet with explanatory notes, or in case the company prepares a consolidated balance sheet, according to the consolidated balance sheet with explanatory notes, forming part of the most recently adopted annual accounts of the company. |
20.2 | The absence of approval as meant in this article does not affect the representative authority of the board of managing directors or the managing directors. |
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Article 21. Absence or inability to act
If a managing director is absent or unable to act, the remaining managing director(s) shall be temporarily charged with the management of the company. If the sole managing director is or all managing directors are absent or unable to act, a person appointed by the board of supervisory directors shall be temporarily charged with the management of the company. Such person appointed by the board of supervisory directors shall duly observe these articles of association and the rules of the board of managing directors.
CHAPTER VII
Board of supervisory directors
Article 22. Number of members
The company shall have a board of supervisory directors, consisting of a minimum of one (1) supervisory director and a maximum of nine (9) supervisory directors. The general meeting shall determine the number of supervisory directors, upon the proposal of the board of supervisory directors.
Article 23. Appointment
23.1 | The supervisory directors shall be appointed by the general meeting. Until such time as the Mosing Family no longer beneficially owns at least the percentage of all issued and outstanding shares in the company set forth below, it will have the right to make a binding recommendation for the appointment of up to the number of supervisory directors as set forth below: |
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if the Mosing Family holds at least fifty percent (50%), it shall have the right to bindingly recommend five (5) supervisory directors; |
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if the Mosing Family holds at least forty percent (40%), it shall have the right to bindingly recommend four (4) supervisory directors; |
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if the Mosing Family holds at least thirty percent (30%), it shall have the right to bindingly recommend three (3) supervisory directors; |
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if the Mosing Family holds at least twenty percent (20%), it shall have the right to bindingly recommend two (2) supervisory directors; and |
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if the Mosing Family holds at least ten percent (10%), it shall have the right to bindingly recommend one (1) supervisory directors. |
The remaining supervisory directors, if any (including any supervisory directors for which the Mosing Family does not exercise its recommendation right), shall be appointed on a recommendation made by the board of supervisory directors. A resolution by the general meeting to appoint a supervisory director may be passed by a simple majority of the votes cast.
23.2 | The general meeting shall be free to appoint a supervisory director if no recommendation in accordance with paragraph 1 of this article is made within three months of the position becoming vacant. |
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23.3 | A recommendation submitted on time shall be binding. However, the general meeting may disregard the recommendation if it adopts a resolution to that effect by a majority of no less than two-thirds of the votes cast, representing over one-half of the issued capital. |
23.4 | The supervisory directors shall be appointed for an indefinite period of time unless the general meeting has expressly appointed the supervisory director for a defined period of time. |
23.5 | The board of supervisory directors shall appoint a supervisory director from their midst as chairman of the board of supervisory directors. |
Article 24. Suspension and dismissal.
A supervisory director can at any time be suspended and dismissed by the general meeting.
Article 25. Remuneration
The general meeting may grant a remuneration to the supervisory directors.
Article 26. Duties and powers
26.1 | The duty of the board of supervisory directors shall be to supervise the policies of the board of managing directors and the general course of affairs of the company and its affiliated business. |
It shall give advice to the board of managing directors. When performing their duties, the supervisory directors shall be guided by the interests of the company and its affiliated business.
26.2 | The board of supervisory directors may make a division of duties, specifying the individual duties of every supervisory director. |
26.3 | The board of supervisory directors has an audit committee. The board of supervisory directors may establish any other committee as the board of supervisory directors shall decide. The board of supervisory directors shall draw up charters governing a committees internal affairs. |
26.4 | The board of managing directors shall timely provide the board of supervisory directors with any such information as may be necessary for the board of supervisory directors to perform its duties. At least once a year the board of managing directors shall inform the board of supervisory directors in writing of the main lines of the companys strategic policy, the general and financial risks and the management and control system. |
26.5 | The board of supervisory directors shall have access to the buildings and grounds of the company and be authorized to inspect the books, records and other carriers of data of the company. |
The board of supervisory directors may appoint one or more persons from their midst or any expert to exercise such powers. The board of supervisory directors may also seek assistance of experts in other cases.
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Article 27. Decision-making
27.1 | The board of supervisory directors shall meet as often as a supervisory director or the board of managing directors may deem necessary. |
27.2 | In the meeting of the board of supervisory directors each supervisory director has a right to cast one vote. All resolutions by the board of supervisory directors shall be adopted by an simple majority of the votes cast. In the event the votes are equally divided, the chairman shall have a decisive vote. |
27.3 | A supervisory director may grant another supervisory director a written proxy to represent him at the meeting. |
27.4 | The board of supervisory directors may pass resolutions outside a meeting, provided that the resolution is adopted in writing and all supervisory directors have expressed themselves in favor of the proposal. |
27.5 | The board of supervisory directors may adopt rules and regulations governing its decision-making process. |
27.6 | The board of supervisory directors shall have a meeting with the board of managing directors as often as the board of supervisory directors or the board of managing directors deems necessary. |
27.7 | A supervisory director shall not participate in the deliberations and the decision making process if he has a direct or indirect personal interest which is in conflict with the interest as meant in article 26 paragraph 1. If as a result hereof no resolution of the board of supervisory directors can be adopted, the resolution shall be adopted by the general meeting. |
CHAPTER VIII
Annual accounts. Profits
Article 28. Financial year. Drawing up the annual accounts
28.1 | The companys financial year shall correspond with the calendar year. |
28.2 | Within five months of the end of the companys financial year, the board of managing directors shall draw up the annual accounts unless, in special circumstances, an extension of this term by not more than six months is approved by the general meeting. |
28.3 | The annual accounts shall be signed by all the managing and supervisory directors; if the signature of any of them is missing, this fact and the reason for such omission shall be stated. |
28.4 | The board of supervisory directors may submit to the general meeting a preliminary advice on the annual accounts. |
Article 29. Auditor
29.1 | The company shall commission an auditor to examine the annual accounts. |
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29.2 | The general meeting shall be authorized to grant such commission. If the general meeting fails to do so, the board of supervisory directors shall be authorized to act instead, or if the board of supervisory directors fails to do so, the board of managing directors. The commission may at any time be withdrawn by the general meeting and the one who granted the commission; the commission granted by the board of managing directors may also be withdrawn by the board of supervisory directors. |
29.3 | The auditor shall report its findings to the board of managing directors and the board of supervisory directors. |
29.4 | The auditor shall record its findings in a report commenting on the true and fair nature of the annual accounts. |
29.5 | The auditor may be questioned by the general meeting in relation to his statement on the fairness of the annual accounts. The auditor shall therefore attend and be entitled to address this meeting. |
Article 30. Presentation to the shareholders. Availability. Adoption
30.1 | The annual accounts shall be deposited at the companys office for inspection by the shareholders and holders of depositary receipt issued with the cooperation of the company, within the period of time specified in article 28 paragraph 2. The board of managing directors shall also submit the annual report within the same term. |
30.2 | The company shall ensure that the annual accounts, the annual report, the preliminary advice of the board of supervisory directors, if any, and the additional data to be added pursuant to article 2:392 paragraph 1 of the Netherlands Civil Code shall be available at its office from the day notice is sent out for the general meeting at which these documents will be handled. Shareholders and holders of depositary receipt issued with the cooperation of the company may inspect these documents at the companys office and may obtain a complimentary copy thereof. |
30.3 | If the company has bearer debt instruments outstanding, the documents, insofar as the same must be published after adoption, may also be inspected by any third party who may obtain a copy thereof at no more than cost. This right shall lapse as soon as the said documents have been deposited with the trade register. |
30.4 | The general meeting shall adopt the annual accounts. The annual accounts cannot be adopted if the general meeting has not been able to examine the auditors report referred to in article 29 paragraph 4, unless under the additional data as mentioned in paragraph 2 of this article, a lawful ground has been stated for the absence of the auditors report. |
30.5 | The provisions set out in these articles of association regarding the annual report and the additional data to be added under article 2:392 paragraph 1 of the Netherlands Civil Code shall not apply if the company is a member of a group and article 2:396 paragraph 6, first sentence or article 2:403 of the Netherlands Civil Code applies to the company. |
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Article 31. Publication
The company shall publish its annual accounts, if required, in accordance with applicable law.
Article 32. Profits
32.1 | Out of the profits earned in the past financial year, first, if possible, an amount shall be paid to the holders of the Convertible Preference Shares at a rate of twenty-five hundredth per cent (0.25%) of the nominal value of those shares. If the Convertible Preference Shares were not issued throughout the year on the basis of which the dividend is calculated, then the dividend shall be calculated on the basis of that period of the year during which the Convertible Preference Shares were issued. If the profits do not permit a dividend payment as contemplated in this paragraph, the unpaid portion of the dividend shall be paid out of the profits of the next financial year(s). |
32.2 | The board of managing directors, subject to the approval of the board of supervisory directors, shall determine which portion of the profits remaining after application of paragraph 1, shall be reserved. The profit remaining after application of the previous sentence, if any, shall be at the disposal of the general meeting, albeit that no further dividends shall be paid on the Convertible Preference Shares. The general meeting may only resolve to partially or totally reserve such remaining profit, upon a proposal of the board of managing directors, which proposal shall be approved by the board of supervisory directors. |
32.3 | The company can only make distributions to the extent its equity exceeds the paid and called up part of the capital increased with the reserves, which must be maintained pursuant to the law. |
32.4 | Dividends shall be paid after the adoption of the annual accounts evidencing that the payment of dividends is lawful. |
32.5 | Upon a proposal of the board of managing directors, which proposal shall be approved by the board of supervisory directors, the general meeting may resolve to pay interim dividends, if the requirement of paragraph 3 of this article has been met as evidenced by an interim statement of assets and liabilities. |
Such interim statement shall relate to the condition of such assets and liabilities on a date no earlier than the first day of the third month preceding the month in which the resolution to distribute is published.
It shall be prepared on the basis of generally acceptable valuation methods. The amounts to be reserved by law shall be included in such statement of assets and liabilities. The interim statement of assets and liabilities shall be signed by the managing directors, if the signature of one of them is missing, this fact and the reason for such omission shall be stated.
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The company shall deposit the statement of assets and liabilities with the trade register within eight days after the day on which the resolution to distribute is published.
32.6 | Upon a proposal of the board of managing directors, the general meeting may, with due observance of the provisions of paragraph 3 and 5, resolve to make distributions out of a reserve which need not be kept by law. |
32.7 | Upon a proposal of the board of managing directors, the general meeting may, with due observance of the provisions of paragraph 3 and 5, resolve to pay, wholly or partly, dividends other than in cash. |
32.8 | For the calculation of the amount to be distributed on the shares, the shares held by the company in its own capital shall not be taken into account. For the calculation of the amount to be distributed on each share, only the amount of the mandatory payments on the nominal value of the shares shall be taken into account. The foregoing may be deviated from with the consent of all shareholders. |
32.9 | A claim of a shareholder to receive a distribution expires after five years. |
CHAPTER IX
General meetings
Article 33. Annual general meeting
33.1 | Within six months of the end of the companys financial year, the annual general meeting shall be held. |
33.2 | The agenda of that meeting shall, among other matters, contain the items required by applicable law and such other proposals raised for consideration by the board of supervisory directors or the board of managing directors. |
Article 34. Extraordinary general meetings
Without prejudice to the provisions of article 33 paragraph 1 and the law, general meetings shall be held as often as the board of managing directors, the board of supervisory directors, or shareholders and holders of depositary receipt issued with the cooperation of the company together representing at least one-tenth of the issued capital, hereinafter referred to as the requesting shareholders, deem necessary, and as required by applicable law.
Article 35. Convocation. Agenda
35.1 | General meetings shall be called by the board of managing directors, the board of supervisory directors or by the requesting shareholders. The requesting shareholders are only authorized to call the general meeting themselves if it is evidenced that the requesting shareholders have requested the board of managing directors to call a general meeting in writing, exactly stating the matters to be discussed, and the board of managing directors has not taken the necessary steps so that the general meeting could be held within six weeks after the request. The requirement of a written request is also met if the request is recorded electronically. |
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If the requesting shareholders represent more than half of the issued capital, however, they shall be authorized to call the general meeting themselves without first having to request the board of managing directors to call the general meeting.
35.2 | Convocation shall take place not later than on the fifteenth day prior to the day of the meeting. |
35.3 | The convening notice shall specify the items to be discussed. Items which have not been specified in the convening notice may be announced with due observance of the requirements of this article. |
35.4 | The agenda shall contain such business as may be placed thereon by the board of managing directors. An item, of which the discussion has been requested in writing by one or more holders of shares, representing solely or jointly at least three-hundredth of the issued capital, shall be included in the convocation notice or announced in an equal manner, provided that the company has received the request, including the reasons for the request, or the proposal for a resolution, at least sixty days before the date of the meeting. The general meeting shall not adopt resolutions on matters other than those that have been placed on the agenda. |
35.5 | All convocations for the general meetings and all notifications to shareholders and holders of depositary receipt issued with the cooperation of the company shall be given in the manner required by applicable law |
Article 36. Place of the meetings
General meetings shall be held in the Netherlands, in the municipality of Amsterdam, or in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer (Schiphol). In a meeting held elsewhere, valid resolutions can only be taken if the entire issued capital is represented. The convening notice shall state the place where the general meeting shall be held.
Article 37. Imperfect convocation general meeting
37.1 | Valid resolutions in respect of matters which were not mentioned on the agenda in the convocation letter or which have not been published in the same manner and with due observance of the period set for convocation, can only be taken by unanimous votes in a meeting where the entire issued capital is represented. |
37.2 | If the period for convocation mentioned in article 35 paragraph 2 was shorter or if no convocation has taken place, valid resolutions can only be taken by unanimous votes in a meeting where the entire issued capital is represented. |
Article 38. General meeting chairman
38.1 | The general meetings shall be chaired by the chairman of the board of supervisory directors or by another supervisory director appointed for that purpose by the board of supervisory directors. |
38.2 | If no chairman for a meeting has been appointed in accordance with paragraph 1, the meeting shall appoint its chairman itself. |
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Article 39. Minutes
39.1 | Minutes shall be taken of the matters discussed at every general meeting by a secretary to be appointed by the chairman. The minutes shall be adopted by the chairman and the secretary and signed by them to that effect. |
39.2 | The chairman, or the person who requested the meeting, may decide that an official notarial report should be drawn up of the matters discussed at the general meeting. This report must be co-signed by the chairman. |
Article 40. Rights exercisable during a meeting. Admission
40.1 | Every person entitled to vote and every usufructuary and pledgee having voting rights shall be authorized to attend the general meeting, address the meeting and exercise their voting rights. |
40.2 | If the voting rights attached to a share are vested in the usufructuary or pledgee instead of the shareholder, also the shareholder shall be authorized to attend the general meeting and to address the meeting. |
40.3 | Furthermore, holders of depositary receipt issued with the cooperation of the company shall be authorized to attend and address the general meeting. |
40.4 | Every share shall give the right to cast one vote. |
40.5 | Every person entitled to vote or his representative must sign the attendance list. |
40.6 | The rights referred to in the previous paragraphs may be exercised by a person acting upon a written power of attorney. A power of attorney shall mean any power of attorney transmitted via standard means of communication and received in written form. The requirement of a written power of attorney is also met in case the power of attorney has been recorded electronically. |
40.7 | The supervisory directors and the managing directors shall have an advisory vote at the general meeting. |
40.8 | The auditor as meant in article 29 paragraph 1 shall be authorized to attend the general meeting held to adopt the annual accounts and to address the meeting. |
40.9 | Admission to the general meeting of persons other than those referred to in this article shall be decided upon by the chairman of the general meeting. |
40.10 | The board of managing directors is authorized to determine that participation in the general meeting may also occur through an electronic communication method, under the conditions as may be announced in the convocation. Through the electronic communication method, the relevant participants must be able to be identified, to directly take note of the discussions at the meeting and to exercise the voting rights. |
40.11 | Votes that have been cast through an electronic communication method prior to the general meeting, but not earlier than the ultimate date of registration, will be treated equally to votes cast at the time of the meeting. |
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Article 41. Decision making. General meeting
41.1 | Resolutions shall be passed by a simple majority of the votes cast, unless the law or the articles of association prescribe a greater majority. |
41.2 | If no simple majority is reached by a vote taken with respect to the election of persons, a second vote shall be taken whereby the voters are not required to vote for the previous candidates. |
If, again, no one has gained a simple majority of the votes, new votes shall be held until either one person has gained a simple majority or, if the vote was between two persons, the votes are equally divided.
Such new votes (except for the second vote) shall only take place between the candidates who were voted for in the previous vote, except for the person who received the least number of votes.
If two or more persons have the least number of votes, it shall be decided by lot who cannot be voted for at the new vote.
If, in the event of an election between two candidates, the votes are equally divided, it shall be decided by lot who has been elected.
41.3 | If a vote is taken in respect of matters other than in relation to election of persons and the votes are equally divided, the relevant motion shall be considered rejected. |
41.4 | All votings shall take place orally unless the chairman decides or any person entitled to vote requests a voting in writing. |
41.5 | Abstentions and invalid votes shall be deemed not to have been cast. |
41.6 | Votes by acclamation shall be allowed unless one of the persons present and entitled to vote objects. |
41.7 | The chairmans view at the meeting expressing that the general meeting has passed a resolution shall be decisive. The same shall apply to the contents of the resolution so passed, provided that the relevant motion was not put down in writing. However, if the chairmans view is challenged immediately after it is expressed, a new vote shall be taken when the majority of the persons present and entitled to vote so require or, if the original vote was not by call or by ballot, when one person present and entitled to vote so requires. The new vote shall nullify the legal consequences of the original vote. |
Article 42. Resolutions passed outside a meeting
The shareholders may not pass resolutions in writing, rather than at a general meeting.
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CHAPTER X
Amendment to the articles of association. Liquidation
Article 43. Amendment to the articles of association and dissolution
Upon the proposal of the board of managing directors, which proposal shall be approved by the board of supervisory directors, the general meeting may resolve to amend the articles of association or to dissolve the company.
If a proposal to amend the articles of association or to dissolve the company is to be submitted to the general meeting, the convening notice must state this fact. At the same time, if the motion is for an amendment to the articles of association, a copy of the motion containing a verbatim text of the proposed amendment must be deposited at the companys office for inspection by the shareholders and holders of depositary receipt issued with the cooperation of the company until the meeting has been held
Article 44. Liquidation
44.1 | If the company is dissolved pursuant to a resolution by the general meeting, the managing directors shall be the liquidators of the dissolved company, unless the general meeting appoints other persons to that effect. The board of supervisory directors shall supervise the liquidation. |
44.2 | The provisions of these articles of association shall, to the fullest extent possible, continue to be in force during the liquidation. |
44.3 | The surplus remaining after payment of the debts shall be paid to the shareholders in proportion to the aggregate nominal value of the individual shareholdings. |
44.4 | After the company has ceased to exist, the books, records and other carriers of data shall be kept by the person designated thereto by the liquidators for seven years. |
CHAPTER XI
Indemnification and hold harmless clause
Article 45. Indemnification and hold harmless clause
45.1 | To the fullest extent permissible by law, the company shall indemnify and reimburse for, and hold harmless against, each officer and former officer, managing director and former managing director and supervisory director and former supervisory director (and, in the case of an officer or managing director that is not a natural person, its affiliates, shareholders, members, managers, directors, officers, partners, employees and agents) collectively, the Indemnified Persons): |
a. | any and all liabilities, claims, judgments, fines and penalties (collectively, the Claims) incurred by an Indemnified Person as a result of any expected, threatened, pending or completed action, investigation or other proceeding, whether civil, criminal or administrative (each a Legal Action) in relation to any act or omission in or related to his or her capacity as Indemnified Person; and |
b. | any expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees and litigation costs) (collectively, Expenses) incurred by an Indemnified Person in connection with any Legal Action. |
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45.2 | An Indemnified Person will not be held harmless, indemnified and reimbursed as referred to above in paragraph 1, if and to the extent: |
a. | a Dutch court has made a final and binding judgment that the act or omission of the Indemnified Person can be characterized as willful misconduct ( opzet ), willful recklessness ( bewuste roekeloosheid ) or serious culpability ( ernstige verwijtbaarheid ); and/or |
b. | the costs or the loss of the Indemnified Person is covered by insurance and the insurer has compensated him or her for the costs or loss. |
45.3 | When a Dutch court has made a final and binding judgment that an Indemnified Person has no claim to the indemnification as referred to above in paragraph 1, the Indemnified Person shall immediately repay to the company any amount of indemnification it received from the company. The company can demand surety for the repayment obligation of the concerned party. |
45.4 | The company shall use all its reasonable endeavors to provide for, and shall bear the cost of, insurance covering Claims against, and Expenses incurred by, the Indemnified Persons in connection with any Legal Action. |
45.5 | The company may enter into agreements with an Indemnified Person to provide for indemnification consistent with the terms and conditions set forth in this article 45. Unless otherwise agreed by the Indemnified Persons, the company may maintain insurance, at its expense, on its own behalf and on behalf of the Indemnified Persons against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, whether or not the company would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under this article 45. |
45.6 | Expenses incurred by an Indemnified Person in defending a Legal Action shall be paid by the company in advance of such Legal Actions final disposition upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnified Person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the company. Such expenses incurred by other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the company deems appropriate. The indemnification and advancement of expenses set forth in this article 45 shall continue as to an Indemnified Person who has ceased to be a named Indemnified Person and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, administrators, successors and permitted assigns of such a person. |
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45.7 | Persons who are not covered by the foregoing provisions of this article 45 and who are or were partners, employees or agents of the company, or who are or were serving at the request of the company as employees or agents of another limited liability company, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, may be indemnified to the extent authorized at any time or from time to time by the company. |
45.8 | The provisions of this article 45 shall be deemed to be a contract right between the company and each person who serves in such capacity at any time while this article 45 and the relevant provisions of applicable law are in effect, and any repeal or modification of this article 45 or any such law shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing with respect to any state of facts or Legal Action then existing. The indemnification and other rights provided for in this article 45 shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of any Indemnified Person. Except as provided in this article 45, the company shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a Legal Action initiated by such person only if such Legal Action was authorized by the board of supervisory directors. |
45.9 | For purposes of this article 45, references to the company shall include, in addition to the resulting company, any constituent company (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its managers, managing directors, supervisory directors, officers, employees or agents, so that any Person who is or was a manager, managing director, supervisory director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent company, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent company as a managing director, supervisory director, officer, employee or agent of another company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this article 45 with respect to the resulting or surviving company as he or she would have with respect to such constituent company if its separate existence had continued. For purposes of this article 45, references to other enterprise(s) shall include employee benefit plans; references to fines shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to serving at the request of the company shall include any service as a manager, officer, employee or agent of the company that imposes duties on, or involves services by, such manager, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries. |
45.10 | Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, any indemnity by the company relating to the matters covered in this article 45 shall be provided out of and to the extent of company assets only and no shareholder shall have personal liability on account thereof or shall be required to make additional contributions to help satisfy such indemnity of the company |
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CHAPTER XII
Transitional provision
Article 46. Transitional provision
It is intended that as soon as possible after the amendment of the articles of association becoming into force, a transaction will be effected pursuant to which, among others, MH will become limited partner in FICV and will acquire Convertible Preferred Shares. Article 5 will only come into force at such time.
The appearing person is known to me, civil law notary.
The identity of the appearing person was established by me, civil law notary, on the basis of the above-mentioned document intended for identification purposes.
WITNESSED THIS DEED, the original of which was drawn up and executed in Amsterdam on the date first written above.
Prior to the execution of this deed, I, civil law notary, informed the appearing person of the substance of the deed and gave the appearing person an explanation thereon, and furthermore pointed out the consequences which will result for the party from the contents of this deed.
Subsequently, the appearing person declared to have taken note of the contents of this deed after timely being given the opportunity thereto and waived a full reading of this deed.
Immediately after a limited reading, this deed was signed by the appearing person and me, civil law notary.
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EXHIBIT A
Donald Keith Mosing
William Bradford Mosing
Lindsey R. Mosing
Trust u/l/w Janice P. Mosing f/b/o Lindsey R. Mosing
Victoria R. Mosing
Trust u/l/w Janice P. Mosing f/b/o Victoria R. Mosing
By-Pass Corporate Stock Trust u/l/w Janice P. Mosing f/b/o Donald Keith Mosing
By-Pass Corporate Stock Trust u/l/w Janice P. Mosing f/b/o Gregory Stanton Mosing
By-Pass Corporate Stock Trust u/l/w Janice P. Mosing f/b/o William B. Mosing
Melanie Christine Mosing
Derek A. Veverica
Trust u/l/w Janice P. Mosing f/b/o Derek A. Veverica
Christine M. Veverica
Trust u/l/w Janice P. Mosing f/b/o Christine M. Veverica
Melanie C. Mosing
By-Pass Corporate Stock Trust u/l/w Janice P. Mosing f/b/o Melanie C. Mosing
The 2009 Mosing Family Delaware Dynasty Trust FBO William Bradford Mosing
The 2009 Mosing Family Delaware Dynasty Trust FBO Donald Keith Mosing
The 2009 Mosing Family Delaware Dynasty Trust FBO Gregory Stanton Mosing
The 2009 Mosing Family Delaware Dynasty Trust FBO Melanie Christine Mosing
Gregory Stanton Mosing
Michael Frank Mosing
Succession of Clara L. Mosing
The CLM 2009 IDG Trust
Steven Brent Mosing
The Erich & Stephanie Mosing 1994 Trust, Share A f/b/o Erich Lloyd Mosing
The Erich & Stephanie Mosing 1994 Trust, Share B f/b/o Stephanie Marie Mosing
Erich Lloyd Mosing
Stephanie Marie Mosing
Sharon Mosing Miller
Succession of Timothy Dupre Mosing
Jeffrey Louis Mosing
Kirkland David Mosing
Kendall Garrett Mosing
The DBM 2009 QSST IDG Trust u/t/a/ December 17, 2009
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The LKM 2009 QSST IDG Trust u/t/a/ December 17, 2009
Succession of Larry Kirkland Mosing
Lori Mosing Thomas
Donald K. Mosing Family Partnership, Ltd.
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EXHIBIT B
Franks International N.V.
Prins Bernhardplein 200
1097 JB Amsterdam, The Netherlands
+31 (0)20 52 14 777
Reference is hereby made to the Articles of Association of Franks International N.V. (the Articles). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Articles.
The undersigned Converting Holder hereby transfers to the company the number of Convertible Preferred Shares, together with an equal number of MH CV Portions, set forth below to be converted into Common Shares, as set forth in the Articles.
Legal Name of Converting Holder:
Address:
Number of Convertible Preferred Shares to be converted:
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that (i) the undersigned has full legal capacity to execute and deliver this Conversion Notice and to perform the undersigneds obligations hereunder; (ii) this Conversion Notice has been duly executed and delivered by the undersigned and is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the undersigned enforceable against it in accordance with the terms thereof or hereof, as the case may be, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors rights generally and the availability of equitable remedies; (iii) the MH CV Portions subject to this Conversion Notice are being transferred to the company free and clear of any pledge, lien, security interest, encumbrance, equities or claim; and (iv) no consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of any third party or with any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the undersigned or the MH CV Portions subject to this Conversion Notice is required to be obtained by the undersigned for the transfer of such MH CV Portions to the company.
The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints any officer or supervisory or management board member of the company as the attorney of the undersigned, with full power of substitution and resubstitution in the premises, to do any and all things and to take any and all actions
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that may be necessary to transfer to the company the MH CV Portions subject to this Conversion Notice and to deliver to the undersigned the Common Shares into which the Convertible Preferred Shares are so converted.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, by authority duly given, has caused this Conversion Notice to be executed and delivered by the undersigned or by its duly authorized attorney.
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Name: |
Date: |
Exhibit 10.1
Execution Version
TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT
among
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL N.V.,
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL CV,
and
MOSING HOLDINGS INC.
DATED AS OF AUGUST 14, 2013
TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT
This TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT (this Agreement ), dated as of August 14, 2013, is hereby entered into by and among Franks International N.V., a Dutch public company with limited liability ( naamloze vennootschap ) incorporated in the Netherlands (the FINV ), Franks International CV, a Dutch limited liability partnership ( commanditaire vennootschap ) organized under the laws of the Netherlands ( FICV ), and Mosing Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation ( Mosing Holdings ).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Mosing Holdings owns Series A preferred stock of FINV (the Series A Preferred Stock ) and limited partner interests in FICV, which is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income Tax purposes;
WHEREAS, FINV indirectly owns the general partner of FICV and limited partner interests in FICV;
WHEREAS, for purposes of any transfer or exchange of Series A Preferred Stock and limited partner interests in FICV, the FINV Articles of Association (as defined below) and the FICV Partnership Agreement (as defined below) contain provisions linking each share of Series A Preferred Stock to a proportionate portion of the limited partner interest in FICV held by Mosing Holdings or its permitted transferee, which portion at any time will equal the total limited partner interest in FICV that is held by Mosing Holdings or its permitted transferee (expressed as a percentage of the total limited partner interests in FICV) divided by the total number of issued and outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock (each such portion being referred to as an FICV Portion );
WHEREAS, Mosing Holdings will have the right to convert one or more shares of Series A Preferred Stock and an equal number of FICV Portions pursuant to the FINV Articles of Incorporation into shares of Class A common stock of FINV, par value 0.01 per share ( Common Shares ) (each such conversion, an Exchange , and each such date on which an Exchange occurs, an Exchange Date );
WHEREAS, as a result of each Exchange, the Corporate Taxpayer (as defined below) is expected to incur lower Tax (as defined below) liabilities on an ongoing basis with respect to the operations of FICV;
WHEREAS, FICV and each of its direct and indirect subsidiaries treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income Tax purposes have and will have in effect an election under Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code ), for each Taxable Year (as defined below) in which an Exchange occurs, which election is expected to result in an adjustment to the Tax basis of the assets owned by FICV and such subsidiaries, solely with respect to Corporate Taxpayer;
WHEREAS, this Agreement is intended to set forth the agreements among the parties regarding the sharing of the Tax benefits realized by the Corporate Taxpayer as a result of any Exchange;
Execution Version
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective covenants and agreements set forth herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Definitions . As used in this Agreement, the terms set forth in this Article I shall have the following meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined).
Accrued Amount is defined in Section 3.1(b) of this Agreement.
Affiliate means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such first Person.
Agent means Mosing Holdings or any other entity appointed by Mosing Holdings .
Agreed Rate means LIBOR plus 100 basis points.
Agreement is defined in the Recitals of this Agreement.
Amended Schedule is defined in Section 2.3(b) of this Agreement.
A Beneficial Owner of a security is a Person who directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares: (i) voting power, which includes the power to vote, or to direct the voting of, such security and/or (ii) investment power, which includes the power to dispose of, or to direct the disposition of, such security. The terms Beneficially Own and Beneficial Ownership shall have correlative meanings.
Board means the Board of Directors of FINV.
Business Day means Monday through Friday of each week, except that a legal holiday recognized as such by the government of the United States of America or the State of New York shall not be regarded as a Business Day.
Change of Control means the occurrence of any of the following events:
(i) | any Person or any group of Persons acting together which would constitute a group for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, or any successor provisions thereto, excluding a group of Persons which includes one or more Affiliates of Mosing Holdings and one or more Affiliates of Ginsoma Family C.V., is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of FINV representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of FINVs then outstanding voting securities; or |
(ii) |
the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of directors of FINV then serving: individuals who, on the IPO Date, constitute the Board and any new director whose appointment or election by the Board or |
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nomination for election by FINVs shareholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors on the IPO Date or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended by the directors referred to in this clause (ii); or |
(iii) | there is consummated a merger or consolidation of FINV with any other corporation or other entity, and, immediately after the consummation of such merger or consolidation, either (x) the Board immediately prior to the merger or consolidation does not constitute at least a majority of the board of directors of the company surviving the merger or, if the surviving company is a Subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof, or (y) the voting securities of FINV immediately prior to such merger or consolidation do not continue to represent or are not converted into more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Person resulting from such merger or consolidation or, if the surviving company is a Subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof; or |
(iv) | the shareholders of FINV approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of FINV or there is consummated an agreement or series of related agreements for the sale or other disposition, directly or indirectly, by FINV of all or substantially all of FINVs assets, other than such sale or other disposition by FINV of all or substantially all of FINVs assets to an entity, at least 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by shareholders of FINV in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of FINV immediately prior to such sale. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, except with respect to clause (ii) and clause (iii)(x) above, a Change of Control shall not be deemed to have occurred by virtue of the consummation of any transaction or series of integrated transactions immediately following which the record holders of the shares of FINV immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership in, and own substantially all of the shares of, an entity which owns all or substantially all of the assets of FINV immediately following such transaction or series of transactions.
Common Shares is defined in the Recitals of this Agreement.
Code is defined in the Recitals of this Agreement.
Control means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
Corporate Taxpayer means FINV and any of its Subsidiaries (other than FICV and its Subsidiaries).
Corporate Taxpayer Return means any Tax Return of the Corporate Taxpayer relating to a Tax imposed by the United States or any subdivision thereof.
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Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit for a Taxable Year means the cumulative amount of Realized Tax Benefits for all Taxable Years of the Corporate Taxpayer, up to and including such Taxable Year, net of the cumulative amount of Realized Tax Detriments for the same period. The Realized Tax Benefit and Realized Tax Detriment for each Taxable Year shall be determined based on the most recent Tax Benefit Schedule or Amended Schedule, if any, in existence at the time of such determination.
Default Rate means LIBOR plus 500 basis points.
Determination shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 1313(a) of the Code or similar provision of U.S. state or local Tax law, as applicable, or any other event (including the execution of IRS Form 870-AD) that finally and conclusively establishes the amount of any liability for Tax.
Dispute has the meaning set forth in Section 7.8(a) of this Agreement.
Early Termination Date means the date of an Early Termination Notice for purposes of determining the Early Termination Payment.
Early Termination Effective Date is defined in Section 4.2 of this Agreement.
Early Termination Notice is defined in Section 4.2 of this Agreement.
Early Termination Payment is defined in Section 4.3(b) of this Agreement.
Early Termination Rate means the long-term Treasury rate in effect on the applicable date plus 300 basis points.
Early Termination Schedule is defined in Section 4.2 of this Agreement.
Exchange is defined in the Recitals of this Agreement.
Exchange Basis Adjustment means the adjustment to the Tax basis of a Reference Asset as a result of an Exchange, as calculated under Section 2.1 of this Agreement, under Section 732(b) of the Code (in situations where, as a result of one or more Exchanges, FICV becomes an entity that is disregarded as separate from its owner for Tax purposes) or under Sections 743(b) and 754 of the Code (including in situations where, following an Exchange, FICV remains in existence as an entity for Tax purposes) and, in each case, comparable sections of U.S. state or local Tax laws. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the amount of any Exchange Basis Adjustment resulting from an Exchange of one or more FICV Portions shall be determined without regard to any Pre-Exchange Transfer of such FICV Portions and as if any such Pre-Exchange Transfer had not occurred.
Exchange Basis Schedule is defined in Section 2.1 of this Agreement.
Exchange Date is defined in the Recitals of this Agreement.
Exchange Tax Basis means, with respect to any Reference Asset at any time, the Tax basis that such asset would have had at such time if no Exchange Basis Adjustments had been made.
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Expert is defined in Section 7.9 of this Agreement.
FICV is defined in the Recitals of this Agreement.
FICV Partnership Agreement means the The Limited Partnership Agreement of Franks International C.V.
FICV Portion is defined in the Recitals of this Agreement.
FINV Articles of Association means the Articles of Association of Franks International N.V.
FINV is defined in the Recitals of this Agreement.
Hypothetical Tax Liability means, with respect to any Taxable Year, the liability for Taxes of (i) the Corporate Taxpayer and (ii) without duplication, FICV, but only with respect to Taxes imposed on FICV and allocable to the Corporate Taxpayer, in each case using the same methods, elections, conventions and similar practices used on the relevant Corporate Taxpayer Return, but (i) using the Exchange Tax Basis as reflected on the Exchange Basis Schedule including amendments thereto for the Taxable Year and (ii) excluding any deduction attributable to Imputed Interest for the Taxable Year. For the avoidance of doubt, Hypothetical Tax Liability shall be determined without taking into account the carryover or carryback of any Tax item (or portions thereof) that is attributable to the Exchange Basis Adjustment or Imputed Interest.
Imputed Interest shall mean any interest imputed under Section 1272, 1274 or 483 or other provision of the Code and any similar provision of U.S. state or local Tax law with respect to FINVs payment obligations under this Agreement.
IPO means the initial public offering of Common Shares by FINV.
IPO Date means the closing date of the IPO.
IRS means the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
LIBOR means during any period, an interest rate per annum equal to the one-year LIBOR reported, on the date two days prior to the first day of such period, on the Telerate Page 3750 (or if such screen shall cease to be publicly available, as reported on Reuters Screen page LIBOR01 or by any other publicly available source of such market rate) for London interbank offered rates for United States dollar deposits for such period.
Market Value shall mean the closing price of the Common Shares on the applicable Exchange Date on the national securities exchange or interdealer quotation system on which such Common Shares are then traded or listed, as reported by the Wall Street Journal; provided , that if the closing price is not reported by the Wall Street Journal for the applicable Exchange Date, then the Market Value shall mean the closing price of the Common Shares on the Business Day immediately preceding such Exchange Date on the national securities exchange or interdealer quotation system on which such Common Shares are then traded or listed, as reported by the Wall Street Journal; provided, further, that if the Common Shares are not then listed on a national securities exchange or interdealer quotation system, Market Value shall mean the cash consideration paid for Common Shares, or the fair market value of the other property delivered for Common Shares, as determined by the Board in good faith.
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Material Objection Notice has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2 of this Agreement.
Mosing Holdings is defined in the Recitals of this Agreement.
Net Tax Benefit is defined in Section 3.1(b) of this Agreement.
Objection Notice has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a) of this Agreement.
Opt Out Notice is defined in Section 3.4(a) of this Agreement.
Payment Date means any date on which a payment is required to be made pursuant to this Agreement.
Person means any individual, corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, estate, trust, business association, organization, governmental entity or other entity.
Pre-Exchange Transfer means any transfer or distribution in respect of FICV Portions (i) that occurs prior to an Exchange of such FICV Portions, and (ii) to which Section 743(b) of the Code applies.
Qualified Tax Advisor means Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., Ernst & Young LLP, or any other law or accounting firm that is nationally recognized as being expert in Tax matters and that is reasonably acceptable to FINV.
Realized Tax Benefit means, for a Taxable Year, the excess, if any, of the Hypothetical Tax Liability over the actual liability for Taxes of (i) the Corporate Taxpayer and (ii) without duplication, FICV, but only with respect to Taxes imposed on FICV and allocable to the Corporate Taxpayer for such Taxable Year. If all or a portion of the actual liability for such Taxes for the Taxable Year arises as a result of an audit by a Taxing Authority of any Taxable Year, such liability shall not be included in determining the Realized Tax Benefit unless and until there has been a Determination.
Realized Tax Detriment means, for a Taxable Year, the excess, if any, of the actual liability for Taxes of (i) the Corporate Taxpayer and (ii) without duplication, FICV, but only with respect to Taxes imposed on FICV and allocable to the Corporate Taxpayer for such Taxable Year, over the Hypothetical Tax Liability for such Taxable Year. If all or a portion of the actual liability for such Taxes for the Taxable Year arises as a result of an audit by a Taxing Authority of any Taxable Year, such liability shall not be included in determining the Realized Tax Detriment unless and until there has been a Determination.
Reconciliation Dispute has the meaning set forth in Section 7.9 of this Agreement.
Reconciliation Procedures has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a) of this Agreement.
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Execution Version
Reference Asset means an asset that is held by FICV, or by any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries treated as a partnership or disregarded entity for purposes of the applicable Tax, at the time of an Exchange. A Reference Asset also includes any asset that is substituted basis property under Section 7701(a)(42) of the Code with respect to a Reference Asset.
Schedule means any of the following: (i) an Exchange Basis Schedule, (ii) a Tax Benefit Schedule, or (iii) the Early Termination Schedule.
Senior Obligations is defined in Section 5.1 of this Agreement.
Subsidiaries means, with respect to any Person, as of any date of determination, any other Person as to which such Person, owns, directly or indirectly, or otherwise controls more than 50% of the voting power or other similar interests or the sole general partner interest or managing member or similar interest of such Person.
Tax Benefit Payment is defined in Section 3.1(b) of this Agreement.
Tax Benefit Schedule is defined in Section 2.2 of this Agreement.
Tax Return means any return, declaration, report or similar statement required to be filed with respect to Taxes (including any attached schedules), including, without limitation, any information return, claim for refund, amended return and declaration of estimated Tax.
Taxable Year means a taxable year of the Corporate Taxpayer as defined in Section 441(b) of the Code or comparable section of U.S. state or local Tax law, as applicable (and, therefore, for the avoidance of doubt, may include a period of less than 12 months for which a Tax Return is made), ending on or after the IPO Date.
Taxes means any and all taxes, assessments or similar charges imposed by the United States or any subdivision thereof that are based on or measured with respect to net income or profits, and any interest related to such Tax.
Taxing Authority shall mean any federal, national, state, county or municipal or other local government, any subdivision, agency, commission or authority thereof, or any quasi-governmental body exercising any taxing authority or any other authority exercising Tax regulatory authority.
TRA Holder means Mosing Holdings and its successors and assigns pursuant to Section 7.6(a).
Treasury Regulations means the final, temporary and proposed regulations under the Code promulgated from time to time (including corresponding provisions and succeeding provisions) as in effect for the relevant Taxable Year.
Valuation Assumptions shall mean, as of an Early Termination Date, the assumptions that (1) in each Taxable Year ending on or after such Early Termination Date, the Corporate Taxpayer will have taxable income sufficient to fully utilize the deductions arising from the Exchange Basis Adjustments and the Imputed Interest during such Taxable Year or future Taxable Years (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Exchange Basis Adjustments and Imputed Interest that would result from future Tax Benefit Payments that would be paid in accordance
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Execution Version
with the Valuation Assumptions) in which such deductions would become available, (2) the U.S. federal income tax rates and state and local income tax rates that will be in effect for each such Taxable Year will be those specified for each such Taxable Year by the Code and other law as in effect on the Early Termination Date, (3) any loss carryovers generated by any Exchange Basis Adjustment or Imputed Interest and available as of the date of the Early Termination Schedule will be utilized by the Corporate Taxpayer on a pro rata basis from the date of the Early Termination Schedule through the scheduled expiration date of such loss carryovers, (4) any non-amortizable assets will be disposed of on the fifteenth anniversary of the applicable Basis Adjustment, and (5) if, at the Early Termination Date, there are FICV Portions that have not been Exchanged, then each such FICV Portions shall be deemed to be Exchanged for the Market Value of the Common Shares and the amount of cash that would be transferred if the Exchange occurred on the Early Termination Date.
Section 1.2 Other Definitional and Interpretative Provisions . The words hereof, herein and hereunder and words of like import used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. References to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules are to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules of this Agreement unless otherwise specified. All Exhibits and Schedules annexed hereto or referred to herein are hereby incorporated in and made a part of this Agreement as if set forth in full herein. Any capitalized terms used in any Exhibit or Schedule but not otherwise defined therein, shall have the meaning as defined in this Agreement. Any singular term in this Agreement shall be deemed to include the plural, and any plural term the singular. Whenever the words include, includes or including are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words without limitation, whether or not they are in fact followed by those words or words of like import. Writing, written and comparable terms refer to printing, typing and other means of reproducing words (including electronic media) in a visible form. References to any agreement or contract are to that agreement or contract as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof. References to any Person include the successors and permitted assigns of that Person. References from or through any date mean, unless otherwise specified, from and including or through and including, respectively.
ARTICLE II
DETERMINATION OF CERTAIN REALIZED TAX BENEFIT
Section 2.1 Basis Adjustment Schedule . Within 90 calendar days after the filing of the U.S. federal income Tax Return of the Corporate Taxpayer for each Taxable Year in which any Exchange has been effected, FINV shall deliver to Agent a schedule (the Exchange Basis Schedule ) that shows, in reasonable detail necessary to perform the calculations required by this Agreement, including (i) the Exchange Tax Basis of the Reference Assets as of each applicable Exchange Date, (ii) the Exchange Basis Adjustments with respect to the Reference Assets as a result of the Exchanges effected in such Taxable Year, calculated in the aggregate, (iii) the period (or periods) over which the Reference Assets are amortizable and/or depreciable and (iv) the period (or periods) over which each Exchange Basis Adjustment is amortizable and/or depreciable. For the avoidance of doubt, payments made under this Agreement shall not be treated as resulting in an Exchange Basis Adjustment to the extent such payments are treated as Imputed Interest.
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Execution Version
Section 2.2 Tax Benefit Schedule . Within 60 calendar days after the filing of the U.S. federal income Tax Return of the Corporate Taxpayer for any Taxable Year in which there is a Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment, FINV shall provide to Agent a schedule showing, in reasonable detail, the calculation of the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment for such Taxable Year (a Tax Benefit Schedule ). The Tax Benefit Schedule will become final as provided in Section 2.3(a) and may be amended as provided in Section 2.3(b) (subject to the procedures set forth in Section 2.3(b)). Without limiting the application of Section 2.3(a), each time FINV delivers to Agent a Tax Benefit Schedule, in addition to the Tax Benefit Schedule duly completed, FINV shall deliver to Agent the Corporate Taxpayer Return, the reasonably detailed calculation by FINV of the Hypothetical Tax Liability, the reasonably detailed calculation by FINV of the actual Tax liability, as well as any other work papers as determined by FINV or requested by Agent.
Section 2.3 Procedure; Amendments .
(a) Procedure . Every time FINV delivers to Agent an applicable Schedule under this Agreement, including any Amended Schedule delivered pursuant to (b), but excluding any Early Termination Schedule or amended Early Termination Schedule, FINV shall also (x) deliver to Agent schedules and work papers, as determined by FINV or requested by Agent, providing reasonable detail regarding the preparation of the Schedule and (y) allow Agent reasonable access at no cost to the appropriate representatives at the Corporate Taxpayer, as determined by FINV or requested by Agent, in connection with a review of such Schedule. An applicable Schedule or amendment thereto shall become final and binding on all parties 30 calendar days from the first date on which Agent has received the applicable Schedule or amendment thereto unless Agent (i) within 30 calendar days after receiving an applicable Schedule or amendment thereto, provides FINV with notice of a material objection to such Schedule ( Objection Notice ) made in good faith or (ii) provides a written waiver of such right of any Objection Notice within the period described in clause (i) above, in which case such Schedule or amendment thereto becomes binding on the date the waiver is received by FINV. If the parties, for any reason, are unable to successfully resolve the issues raised in an Objection Notice within 30 calendar days after receipt by FINV of such Objection Notice, FINV and Agent shall employ the reconciliation procedures described in Section 7.9 of this Agreement (the Reconciliation Procedures ).
(b) Amended Schedule . The applicable Schedule for any Taxable Year may be amended from time to time by FINV (i) in connection with a Determination affecting such Schedule, (ii) to correct material inaccuracies in the Schedule identified as a result of the receipt of additional factual information relating to a Taxable Year after the date the Schedule was provided to Agent, (iii) to comply with the Experts determination under the Reconciliation Procedures, (iv) to reflect a material change in the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment for such Taxable Year attributable to a carryback or carryforward of a loss or other Tax item to such Taxable Year, (v) to reflect a material change in the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment for such Taxable Year attributable to an amended Tax Return filed for such Taxable Year or (vi) to adjust an Exchange Basis Schedule to take into account payments made pursuant to this Agreement (any such Schedule, an Amended Schedule ).
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ARTICLE III
TAX BENEFIT PAYMENTS
Section 3.1 Payments.
(a) Payments . Within five (5) calendar days after a Tax Benefit Schedule delivered to Agent becomes final in accordance with Section 2.3(a), FINV shall pay to each TRA Holder its proportionate share of the Tax Benefit Payment determined pursuant to Section 3.1(b) for such Taxable Year. Each such payment shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the bank account previously designated by the TRA Holder to FINV or as otherwise agreed by FINV and the TRA Holder. For the avoidance of doubt, no Tax Benefit Payment shall be made in respect of estimated Tax payments, including, without limitation, U.S. federal estimated income Tax payments.
(b) A Tax Benefit Payment means the sum of the Net Tax Benefit and the Accrued Amount. Subject to Section 3.3, the Net Tax Benefit for a Taxable Year shall be an amount equal to the excess, if any, of 85% of the Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit as of the end of such Taxable Year over the total amount of payments previously made under this Section 3.1 (excluding payments attributable to Accrued Amounts); provided , for the avoidance of doubt, that a TRA Holder shall not be required to return any portion of any previously made Tax Benefit Payment. The Accrued Amount shall equal the interest on the Net Tax Benefit calculated at the Agreed Rate from the due date (without extensions) for filing the Corporate Taxpayer Return with respect to Taxes for such Taxable Year until the Payment Date. For the avoidance of doubt, for Tax purposes, the Accrued Amount shall not be treated as interest but shall instead be treated as additional consideration for the acquisition of FICV Portions in an Exchange unless otherwise required by law.
Section 3.2 No Duplicative Payments . It is intended that the provisions of this Agreement will not result in duplicative payment of any amount (including interest) required under this Agreement. It is also intended that the provisions of this Agreement will result in 85% of the Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit, and the Accrued Amount thereon, being paid to the TRA Holders pursuant to this Agreement. The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed in the appropriate manner to achieve these fundamental results.
Section 3.3 Proportionate Share and Pro Rata Payments .
(a) Proportionate Share . For purposes of this Agreement, a TRA Holders proportionate share for any Taxable Year equals (i) the deductions available for use in such Taxable Year associated with the Exchange Basis Adjustments and the Imputed Interest attributable to such TRA Holder, divided by (ii) the deductions associated with all Exchange Basis Adjustments and all Imputed Interest that are available for use in such Taxable Year.
(b) Pro Rata Payments . If FINV lacks sufficient funds to satisfy or is prevented under any credit agreement or other arrangement from satisfying its obligations to make all Tax Benefit Payments due in a particular Taxable Year, each TRA Holder shall receive its proportionate share of the total funds available in the Taxable Year to make the Tax Benefit Payments.
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Section 3.4 Opt Out .
(a) Notwithstanding Section 3.1, prior to an Exchange, a TRA Holder may elect not to receive any payments under this Agreement with respect to such Exchange, by delivering written notice evidencing such election (an Opt Out Notice ) to FINV at least three Business Days prior to the Exchange Date of the relevant Exchange. An Opt Out Notice, when delivered, shall be irrevocable.
(b) This Agreement shall not apply to any Exchange which is covered by an Opt Out Notice delivered pursuant to Section 3.4(a), and all computations hereunder, including the computation of any Tax Benefit Payments and determination of any amounts attributable to a TRA Holder, shall be made without taking into account Exchanges covered by such Opt Out Notice. For the avoidance of doubt, a TRA Holder who makes an election pursuant to Section 3.4(a) shall remain entitled to payments under this Agreement with respect to any Exchanges for which no election has been made pursuant to Section 3.4(a).
ARTICLE IV
TERMINATION
Section 4.1 Early Termination and Breach of Agreement .
(a) FINV may terminate this Agreement at any time by paying to each TRA Holder its proportionate share of the Early Termination Payment. Upon payment of the Early Termination Payment by FINV, FINV shall not have any further payment obligations under this Agreement, other than for any (a) Tax Benefit Payment agreed to by FINV acting in good faith and any TRA Holder as due and payable but unpaid as of the Early Termination Notice and (b) Tax Benefit Payment due for the Taxable Year ending with or including the date of the Early Termination Notice (except to the extent that the amount described in clause (b) is included in the Early Termination Payment). Upon payment of all amounts provided for in this Section 4.1(a), this Agreement shall terminate.
(b) In the event that FINV breaches any of its material obligations under this Agreement, whether as a result of failure to make any payment when due, failure to honor any other material obligation required hereunder or by operation of law as a result of the rejection of this Agreement in a case commenced under the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise, then all obligations hereunder shall be accelerated and such obligations shall be calculated as if an Early Termination Notice had been delivered on the date of such breach and shall include, but shall not be limited to, (1) the Early Termination Payment calculated as if an Early Termination Notice had been delivered on the date of a breach, (2) any Tax Benefit Payment agreed to by FINV acting in good faith and any TRA Holder as due and payable but unpaid as of the date of a breach, and (3) any Tax Benefit Payment due for the Taxable Year ending with or including the date of a breach. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that FINV breaches this Agreement, the TRA Holders shall be entitled to elect to receive the amounts set forth in clauses (1), (2) and (3) above or to seek specific performance of the terms hereof. The parties agree that the failure to make any payment due pursuant to this Agreement within three months of the date such payment is due shall be deemed to be a breach of a material obligation under this Agreement for all purposes of this Agreement, and that it shall not be considered to be a breach of a material obligation under this Agreement to make a payment due pursuant to this Agreement within three months of the date such payment is due. Notwithstanding anything in this
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Agreement to the contrary, it shall not be a breach of this Agreement if FINV fails to make any Tax Benefit Payment when due to the extent that FINV has insufficient funds to make such payment; provided that the interest provisions of Section 5.2 shall apply to such late payment (unless FINV does not have sufficient cash to make such payment as a result of limitations imposed by existing credit agreements to which FICV or any Subsidiary of FICV is a party, in which case Section 5.2 shall apply, but the Default Rate shall be replaced by the Agreed Rate); provided further that it shall be a breach of this Agreement, and the provisions in the first two sentences of this Section 4.1(b) shall apply as of the original due date of the Tax Benefit Payment, if FINV makes any distribution of cash or other property to its shareholders while any Tax Benefit Payment is due and payable but unpaid. Any Tax Benefit Payment that is not paid when due pursuant to this Section 4.1(b) shall be due on the date of the next Tax Benefit Payment (the Subsequent Due Date ). If all or a portion of any Tax Benefit Payment is not made to any TRA Holder on the Subsequent Due Date, such payment may be further deferred pursuant to the provisions of this Section 4.1(b) and shall continue to accrue interest pursuant to Section 5.2.
(c) FINV and each TRA Holder hereby acknowledges that, as of the date of this Agreement, the aggregate value of the Tax Benefit Payments cannot reasonably be ascertained for U.S. federal income Tax or other applicable Tax purposes.
(d) In the event of a Change of Control, all obligations hereunder shall be accelerated and such obligations shall be calculated pursuant to this Article IV as if an Early Termination Notice had been delivered on the closing date of the Change of Control and shall include, but not be limited to, (1) the Early Termination Payment calculated as if an Early Termination Notice had been delivered on the effective date of a Change of Control, (2) any Tax Benefit Payment in respect of a Member agreed to by the Corporation and such Members as due and payable but unpaid as of the Early Termination Notice and (3) any Tax Benefit Payment due for any Taxable Year ending prior to, with or including the effective date of a Change of Control. In the event of a Change of Control, the Early Termination Payment shall be calculated utilizing the Valuation Assumptions and by substituting in each case the terms the closing date of a Change of Control for an Early Termination Date.
Section 4.2 Early Termination Notice . If FINV chooses to exercise its right of early termination under Section 4.1 above, FINV shall deliver to Agent notice of such intention to exercise such right (the Early Termination Notice ) and a schedule (the Early Termination Schedule ) specifying FINVs intention to exercise such right and showing in reasonable detail the calculation of the Early Termination Payment. The Early Termination Schedule shall become final and binding on all parties 30 calendar days from the first date on which Agent has received such Schedule or amendment thereto unless Agent (i) within 30 calendar days after receiving the Early Termination Schedule, provides FINV with notice of a material objection to such Schedule made in good faith ( Material Objection Notice ) or (ii) provides a written waiver of such right of a Material Objection Notice within the period described in clause (i) above, in which case such Schedule becomes binding on the date the waiver is received by FINV (the Early Termination Effective Date ). If the parties, for any reason, are unable to successfully resolve the issues raised in such notice within 30 calendar days after receipt by FINV of the Material Objection Notice, FINV and Agent shall employ the Reconciliation Procedures.
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Section 4.3 Payment upon Early Termination .
(a) Within three calendar days after the Early Termination Effective Date, FINV shall pay to each TRA Holder its Early Termination Payment. Each such payment shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account or accounts designated by the TRA Holder or as otherwise agreed by FINV and the TRA Holder.
(b) Early Termination Payment shall equal, with respect to each TRA Holder, the present value, discounted at the Early Termination Rate as of the Early Termination Effective Date, of all Tax Benefit Payments that would be required to be paid by FINV to the TRA Holder beginning from the Early Termination Date and assuming that the Valuation Assumptions are applied.
ARTICLE V
SUBORDINATION AND LATE PAYMENTS
Section 5.1 Subordination . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, any Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment required to be made by FINV to any TRA Holder under this Agreement shall rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to any principal, interest or other amounts due and payable in respect of any obligations in respect of indebtedness for borrowed money of FINV and its Subsidiaries ( Senior Obligations ) and shall rank pari passu with all current or future unsecured obligations of FINV that are not Senior Obligations.
Section 5.2 Late Payments by FINV . The amount of all or any portion of any Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment not made to any TRA Holder when due under the terms of this Agreement shall be payable together with any interest thereon, computed at the Default Rate and commencing from the date on which such Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment was due and payable.
ARTICLE VI
NO DISPUTES; CONSISTENCY; COOPERATION
Section 6.1 Participation in FINVs and FICVs Tax Matters . Except as otherwise provided herein, FINV shall have full responsibility for, and sole discretion over, all Tax matters concerning the Corporate Taxpayer and FICV, including without limitation the preparation, filing or amending of any Tax Return and defending, contesting or settling any issue pertaining to Taxes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, FINV shall notify Agent of, and keep Agent reasonably informed with respect to, the portion of any audit of the Corporate Taxpayer and FICV by a Taxing Authority the outcome of which is reasonably expected to affect the rights and obligations of the TRA Holders under this Agreement, and shall provide to Agent reasonable opportunity to provide information and other input to the Corporate Taxpayer, FICV and their respective advisors concerning the conduct of any such portion of such audit; provided, however , that the Corporate Taxpayer and FICV shall not be required to take any action that is inconsistent with any provision of the FICV Partnership Agreement.
Section 6.2 Consistency . Except upon the written advice of a Qualified Tax Advisor, and except for items that are explicitly characterized as deemed or in a similar manner by the
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terms of this Agreement, FINV and the TRA Holders agree to report and cause to be reported for all purposes, including U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. Tax purposes and financial reporting purposes, all Tax-related items (including, without limitation, the Reference Assets and each Tax Benefit Payment) in a manner consistent with that specified by FINV in any Schedule required to be provided by or on behalf of the Corporate Taxpayer under this Agreement. Any Dispute concerning such advice shall be subject to the terms of Section 7.9.
Section 6.3 Cooperation . Each TRA Holder shall (a) furnish to FINV in a timely manner such information, documents and other materials as FINV may reasonably request for purposes of making any determination or computation necessary or appropriate under this Agreement, preparing any Tax Return or contesting or defending any audit, examination or controversy with any Taxing Authority, (b) make itself available to FINV and its representatives to provide explanations of documents and materials and such other information as FINV or its representatives may reasonably request in connection with any of the matters described in clause (a) above, and (c) reasonably cooperate in connection with any such matter, and FINV shall reimburse the TRA Holder for any reasonable third-party costs and expenses incurred pursuant to this Section 6.3.
ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 7.1 Notices . All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given and received (a) on the date of delivery if delivered personally, or by facsimile upon confirmation of transmission by the senders fax machine if sent on a Business Day (or otherwise on the next Business Day) or (b) on the first Business Day following the date of dispatch if delivered by a recognized next-day courier service. All notices hereunder shall be delivered as set forth below, or pursuant to such other instructions as may be designated in writing by the party to receive such notice:
If to FINV, to:
10260 Westheimer, Suite 700
Houston, Texas 77042
Telephone: (281) 966-7300
Attention: Brian D. Baird
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice to FINV) to:
Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
1001 Fannin, Suite 2500
Houston, Texas 77002-6760
Telephone: (713) 758-2222
Attention: Douglas E. McWilliams
If to Agent, to:
10260 Westheimer, Suite 700
Houston, Texas 77042
Telephone: (281) 966-7300
Attention: Brian D. Baird
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If to Mosing Holdings, to:
10260 Westheimer, Suite 700
Houston, Texas 77042
Telephone: (281) 966-7300
Attention: Brian D. Baird
If to a TRA Holder other than Mosing Holdings and that is a partner in FICV, to:
The address set forth in the records of FICV.
Any party may change its address or fax number by giving the other party written notice of its new address or fax number in the manner set forth above.
Section 7.2 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties, it being understood that all parties need not sign the same counterpart. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.
Section 7.3 Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of each party hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person any right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.
Section 7.4 Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of Texas, without regard to the conflicts of laws principles thereof that would mandate the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.
Section 7.5 Severability . If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any law or public policy, all other terms and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.
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Section 7.6 Successors; Assignment; Amendments; Waivers .
(a) No TRA Holder may assign this Agreement to any person without the prior written consent of FINV; provided , however , that (i) to the extent FICV Portions are transferred in accordance with the terms of the FICV Partnership Agreement, the transferring TRA Holder shall have the option to assign to the transferee of such FICV Portions the transferring TRA Holders rights under this Agreement with respect to such transferred FICV Portions as long as such transferee has executed and delivered, or, in connection with such transfer, executes and delivers, a joinder to this Agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to FINV, agreeing to become a TRA Holder for all purposes of this Agreement, except as otherwise provided in such joinder, and (ii) any and all payments payable or that may become payable to a TRA Holder pursuant to this Agreement (A) that do not arise from an Exchange and (B) that, once an Exchange has occurred, arise with respect to the Exchanged FICV Portions may be assigned to any Person or Persons as long as any such Person has executed and delivered, or, in connection with such assignment, executes and delivers, a joinder to this Agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to FINV, agreeing to be bound by Section 7.12 and acknowledging specifically the terms of Section 7.6(b). For the avoidance of doubt, if a TRA Holder transfers FICV Portions but does not assign to the transferee of such FICV Portions, the rights of such TRA Holder under this Agreement with respect to such transferred FICV Portions, such TRA Holder shall continue to be entitled to receive the Tax Benefit Payments, if any, due hereunder with respect to, including any Tax Benefit Payments arising in respect of a subsequent Exchange of, such FICV Portions.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7.6, no transferee described in clause (i) of the first sentence of Section 7.06(a) shall have the right to enforce the provisions of Section 2.3, 4.2, or 6.2 of this Agreement, and no assignee described in clause (ii) of the first sentence of Section 7.6(a) shall have any rights under this Agreement except for the right to enforce its right to receive payments under this Agreement.
(c) No provision of this Agreement may be amended unless such amendment is approved in writing by each of FINV and FICV and by TRA Holders who would be entitled to receive at least two-thirds of the Early Termination Payments payable to all TRA Holders hereunder if FINV had exercised its right of early termination on the date of the most recent Exchange prior to such amendment (excluding, for purposes of this sentence, all payments made to any TRA Holder pursuant to this Agreement since the date of such most recent Exchange); provided , however , that no such amendment shall be effective if such amendment would have a disproportionate effect on the payments certain TRA Holders will or may receive under this Agreement unless all such disproportionately affected TRA Holders consent in writing to such amendment. No provision of this Agreement may be waived unless such waiver is in writing and signed by the party against whom the waiver is to be effective.
(d) Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, shall inure to the benefit of and shall be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives. FINV shall cause any direct or indirect successor (whether by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Corporate Taxpayer, by written agreement, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Corporate Taxpayer would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place. Notwithstanding anything to the
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contrary herein, in the event a TRA Holder transfers his FICV Portions to a Permitted Transferee (as defined in the FICV Partnership Agreement), such TRA Holder shall have the right, on behalf of such transferee, to enforce the provisions of Sections 2.3, 4.2 or 6.2 with respect to such transferred FICV Portions.
Section 7.7 Titles and Subtitles . The titles of the sections and subsections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
Section 7.8 Resolution of Disputes .
(a) Any and all disputes which are not governed by Section 7.9, including any ancillary claims of any party, arising out of, relating to or in connection with the validity, negotiation, execution, interpretation, performance or non-performance of this Agreement (including the validity, scope and enforceability of this Section 7.8 and Section 7.9) (each a Dispute ) shall be governed by this Section 7.8. The parties hereto shall attempt in good faith to resolve all Disputes by negotiation. If a Dispute between the parties hereto cannot be resolved in such manner, such Dispute shall be finally settled by arbitration conducted by a single arbitrator in Texas in accordance with the then-existing Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce. If the parties to the Dispute fail to agree on the selection of an arbitrator within ten (10) days of the receipt of the request for arbitration, the International Chamber of Commerce shall make the appointment. The arbitrator shall be a lawyer admitted to the practice of law in the State of Texas and shall conduct the proceedings in the English language. Performance under this Agreement shall continue if reasonably possible during any arbitration proceedings. In addition to monetary damages, the arbitrator shall be empowered to award equitable relief, including an injunction and specific performance of any obligation under this Agreement. The arbitrator is not empowered to award damages in excess of compensatory damages, and each party hereby irrevocably waives any right to recover punitive, exemplary or similar damages with respect to any Dispute. The award shall be the sole and exclusive remedy between the parties regarding any claims, counterclaims, issues, or accounting presented to the arbitral tribunal. Judgment upon any award may be entered and enforced in any court having jurisdiction over a party or any of its assets.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a), FINV may bring an action or special proceeding in any court of competent jurisdiction for the purpose of compelling a party to arbitrate, seeking temporary or preliminary relief in aid of an arbitration hereunder, and/or enforcing an arbitration award and, for the purposes of this paragraph (b), Agent and each TRA Holder (i) expressly consents to the application of paragraph (c) of this Section 7.8 to any such action or proceeding, (ii) agrees that proof shall not be required that monetary damages for breach of the provisions of this Agreement would be difficult to calculate and that remedies at law would be inadequate, and (iii) irrevocably appoints FINV as agent of such party for service of process in connection with any such action or proceeding and agrees that service of process upon such agent, who shall promptly advise such party in writing of any such service of process, shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon such party in any such action or proceeding.
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(c) (i) EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF COURTS LOCATED IN TEXAS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SECTION 7.8, OR ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING ANCILLARY TO AN ARBITRATION OR CONTEMPLATED ARBITRATION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO OR CONCERNING THIS AGREEMENT. Such ancillary judicial proceedings include any suit, action or proceeding to compel arbitration, to obtain temporary or preliminary judicial relief in aid of arbitration, or to confirm an arbitration award. The parties acknowledge that the for a designated by this paragraph (c) have a reasonable relation to this Agreement, and to the parties relationship with one another; and
(ii) The parties hereby waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which they now or hereafter may have to personal jurisdiction or to the laying of venue of any such ancillary suit, action or proceeding brought in any court referred to in paragraph (c)(1) of this Section 7.8 and such parties agree not to plead or claim the same.
Section 7.9 Reconciliation . In the event that FINV and Agent or the relevant TRA Holder, as applicable, are unable to resolve a disagreement with respect to the matters governed by Section 2.3, Section 4.2 and Section 6.2 within the relevant period designated in this Agreement ( Reconciliation Dispute ), the Reconciliation Dispute shall be submitted for determination to a nationally recognized expert (the Expert ) in the particular area of disagreement mutually acceptable to both parties. The Expert shall be a partner or principal in a nationally recognized accounting or law firm, and unless FINV and Agent or the relevant TRA Holder agree otherwise, the Expert shall not, and the firm that employs the Expert shall not, have any material relationship with the Corporate Taxpayer or Agent or the relevant TRA Holder, as applicable, or other actual or potential conflict of interest. If the parties are unable to agree on an Expert within fifteen (15) days of receipt by the respondent(s) of written notice of a Reconciliation Dispute, the Expert shall be appointed by the International Chamber of Commerce Centre for Expertise. The Expert shall resolve any matter relating to the Exchange Basis Schedule or an amendment thereto or the Early Termination Schedule or an amendment thereto within 30 calendar days and shall resolve any matter relating to a Tax Benefit Schedule or an amendment thereto within 15 calendar days or as soon thereafter as is reasonably practicable, in each case after the matter has been submitted to the Expert for resolution. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if the matter is not resolved before any payment that is the subject of a disagreement would be due (in the absence of such disagreement) or any Tax Return reflecting the subject of a disagreement is due, the undisputed amount shall be paid on the date prescribed by this Agreement and such Tax Return may be filed as prepared by the Corporate Taxpayer, subject to adjustment or amendment upon resolution. The costs and expenses relating to the engagement of such Expert or amending any Tax Return shall be borne by FINV except as provided in the next sentence. FINV and Agent or the relevant TRA Holder, as applicable, shall bear their own costs and expenses of such proceeding, unless (i) the Expert adopts Agents or the relevant TRA Holder, as applicable, position, in which case FINV shall reimburse Agent or the relevant TRA Holder, as applicable, for any reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses in such proceeding, or (ii) the Expert adopts FINVs position, in which case Agent or the relevant TRA Holder, as applicable, shall reimburse FINV for any reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses in such proceeding. Any dispute as to whether a dispute is a Reconciliation Dispute within the meaning of this Section 7.9 shall be decided by the Expert.
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The Expert shall finally determine any Reconciliation Dispute and the determinations of the Expert pursuant to this Section 7.9 shall be binding on FINV and its Subsidiaries and Agent or the relevant TRA Holder, as applicable, and may be entered and enforced in any court having jurisdiction.
Section 7.10 Withholding . FINV shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any payment payable pursuant to this Agreement such amounts as FINV is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Code or any provision of U.S. federal, state, local or non-U.S. Tax law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld and paid over to the appropriate Taxing Authority by FINV, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the relevant TRA Holder.
Section 7.11 Admission of the Corporate Taxpayer into a Consolidated Group; Transfers of Corporate Assets .
(a) If the Corporate Taxpayer becomes a member of an affiliated or consolidated group of corporations that files a consolidated income Tax Return pursuant to Sections 1501 et seq. of the Code or any corresponding provisions of U.S. state or local law, then: (i) the provisions of this Agreement shall be applied with respect to the group as a whole; and (ii) Tax Benefit Payments, Early Termination Payments and other applicable items hereunder shall be computed with reference to the consolidated taxable income of the group as a whole.
(b) If any entity that is obligated to make a Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment hereunder transfers one or more assets to a corporation (or a Person classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income Tax purposes) with which such entity does not file a consolidated Tax Return pursuant to Section 1501 of the Code, such entity, for purposes of calculating the amount of any Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment (e.g., calculating the gross income of the entity and determining the Realized Tax Benefit of such entity) due hereunder, shall be treated as having disposed of such asset in a fully taxable transaction on the date of such contribution. The consideration deemed to be received by such entity shall be equal to the fair market value of the contributed asset, plus (i) the amount of debt to which such asset is subject, in the case of a contribution of an encumbered asset or (ii) the amount of debt allocated to such asset, in the case of a contribution of a partnership interest. For purposes of this Section 7.11, a transfer of a partnership interest shall be treated as a transfer of the transferring partners share of each of the assets and liabilities of that partnership.
Section 7.12 Confidentiality .
(a) Agent and each of its assignees and each TRA Holder and each of its assignees acknowledges and agrees that the information of the Corporate Taxpayer is confidential and, except in the course of performing any duties as necessary for FINV and its Affiliates, as required by law or legal process or to enforce the terms of this Agreement, such person shall keep and retain in the strictest confidence and not disclose to any Person any confidential matters, acquired pursuant to this Agreement, of the Corporate Taxpayer and its Affiliates and successors, concerning FICV and its Affiliates and successors or the TRA Holders, learned by Agent or TRA Holder heretofore or hereafter. This Section 7.12 shall not apply to (i) any information that has been made publicly available by FINV or any of its Affiliates, becomes
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public knowledge (except as a result of an act of Agent or a TRA Holder in violation of this Agreement) or is generally known to the business community and (ii) the disclosure of information to the extent necessary for a TRA Holder to prepare and file its Tax Returns, to respond to any inquiries regarding the same from any Taxing Authority or to prosecute or defend any action, proceeding or audit by any Taxing Authority with respect to such returns. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Agent and each of its assignees (and each employee, representative or other agent of Agent or its assignees, as applicable) and each TRA Holder and each of its assignees (and each employee, representative or other agent of such TRA Holder or its assignees, as applicable) may disclose to any and all Persons, without limitation of any kind, the Tax treatment and Tax structure of the Corporate Taxpayer, FICV, Agent, the TRA Holders and their Affiliates, and any of their transactions, and all materials of any kind (including opinions or other Tax analyses) that are provided to Agent or the TRA Holder relating to such Tax treatment and Tax structure.
(b) If Agent or an assignee or a TRA Holder or an assignee commits a breach, or threatens to commit a breach, of any of the provisions of this Section 7.12, FINV shall have the right and remedy to have the provisions of this Section 7.12 specifically enforced by injunctive relief or otherwise by any court of competent jurisdiction without the need to post any bond or other security, it being acknowledged and agreed that any such breach or threatened breach shall cause irreparable injury to FINV or any of its Subsidiaries or the TRA Holders and the accounts and funds managed by FINV and that money damages alone shall not provide an adequate remedy to such Persons. Such rights and remedies shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available at law or in equity.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, FINV, FICV, Agent and Mosing Holdings have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
Franks International N.V. | ||||
By: |
/s/ Brian D. Baird |
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Name: | Brian D. Baird | |||
Title: | Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary | |||
Franks International C.V. | ||||
By: |
Franks International Management B.V., its general partner |
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By: |
/s/ Donald Keith Mosing |
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Name: | Donald Keith Mosing | |||
Title: | Managing Director | |||
Mosing Holdings, Inc. | ||||
By: |
/s/ Brian D. Baird |
|||
Name: | Brian D. Baird | |||
Title: | Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |
[Signature Page to Tax Receivable Agreement]
Exhibit 10.2
Execution Version
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this Agreement ) is made and entered into as of August 14, 2013, by and among Franks International N.V., a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the laws of the Netherlands ( naamloze vennootschap ) (the Company ), Mosing Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ( Mosing Holdings ), and FWW B.V., a private limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands ( besloten vennootschap ) ( FWW ) (each a Party and collectively, the Parties ).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS , in connection with, and in consideration of, the transactions contemplated by the Companys Registration Statement on Form S-1, (File No. 333-188536) initially filed with the Commission (as hereinafter defined) on May 10, 2013 and declared effective by the Commission under the Securities Act (as hereinafter defined) on August 8, 2013, the Holders (as hereinafter defined) have requested, and the Company has agreed to provide, registration rights with respect to the Registrable Securities (as hereinafter defined), as set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants of the parties hereto, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. | Definitions |
Unless otherwise defined herein, as used in this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings:
Automatic Shelf Registration Statement means a registration statement filed on Form S-3 (or successor form or other appropriate form under the Securities Act) by a WKSI pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or I.C. (or other successor or appropriate instruction) of such forms, respectively.
Business Day means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday on which banks in New York, New York are authorized or obligated by law to close.
Capital Stock means the Common Stock and Preferred Stock.
Commission means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Common Stock means the common stock, par value 0.01 per share, of the Company (or successor entity), together with each class of security into which such common stock may be converted or for which such common stock may be exercised or exchanged.
Entity means any corporation, limited liability company, general partnership, limited partnership, venture, trust, business trust, unincorporated association, estate or other entity.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
FICV Portions has the meaning set forth in the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-188536).
Governmental Authority means any United States, foreign, supra-national, federal, state, provincial, local or self-regulatory governmental, regulatory or administrative authority, agency, division, body, organization or commission or any judicial or arbitral body.
Holder means any Party owning Registrable Securities.
Initiating Holder(s) has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).
FWW has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
Mosing Holdings has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
Party has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
Person means any individual or Entity.
Preferred Stock means the Series A preferred stock, par value 0.01 per share, of the Company (or successor entity).
Prospectus has the meaning set forth in Section 5(a).
Registering Stockholder means any Holder of Registrable Securities giving the Company a notice pursuant to Section 2 or Section 3 hereof requesting that the Registrable Securities owned by it be included in a proposed registration.
Registrable Securities means any shares of Common Stock held by the Holders from time to time, including any shares of Common Stock issuable upon exchange of FICV Portions or conversion of Preferred Stock (even if such exchange or conversion shall not have yet occurred), other than shares of Common Stock (a) sold by a Holder in a transaction in which the Holders rights under this Agreement are not assigned, (b) sold pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, (c) sold in a transaction exempt from the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act (including transactions under Rule 144, or a successor thereto, promulgated under the Securities Act) so that all transfer restrictions and restrictive legends with respect thereto, if any, are removed upon the consummation of such sale, or (d) that can be publicly sold by the Holder in question without limitations on the manner of such sale and without volume limitations pursuant to Rule 144, or a successor thereto.
Registration Expenses means, except for Selling Expenses (as hereinafter defined), all expenses incurred by the Company in effecting any registration pursuant to this Agreement, including all registration, qualification and filing fees, printing expenses, escrow fees, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, blue sky fees and expenses, the expense of any special audits incident to or required by any such registration and the reasonable fees and disbursements of one special legal counsel to represent all of the Holders together.
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Registration Statement has the meaning set forth in Section 5(a).
Rule 144 has the meaning set forth in Section 8.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Selling Expenses means all underwriting discounts and selling commissions applicable to the securities sold in a transaction or transactions registered on behalf of the Holders.
Shelf Registration Statement shall mean a registration statement of the Company filed with the Commission on Form S-3 (or any successor form or other appropriate form under the Securities Act) for an offering to be made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (or any similar rule that may be adopted by the Commission) covering the Registrable Securities, as applicable.
Transfer means a disposition, sale, assignment, transfer, exchange, pledge or the grant of a security interest or other encumbrance.
Violation has the meaning set forth in Section 7(a).
WKSI , or a well-known seasoned issuer, has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.
Section 2. | Demand Registration Rights |
(a) General . If the Company shall receive from any Holder or group of Holders, at any time after six (6) months after the date of the consummation of the Companys initial public offering, a written request that the Company file a registration statement with respect to any of such Holders Registrable Securities or, in the event that a Shelf Registration Statement covering such Holders Registrable Securities is already effective, a written request that the Company engage in an underwritten offering (an Underwritten Offering ) in respect of such Holders Registrable Securities (the sender(s) of such request or any similar request pursuant to this Agreement shall be known as the Initiating Holder(s) ), then the Company shall, within thirty (30) days of the receipt thereof, give written notice of such request to all Holders, and subject to the limitations of this Section 2, use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect, as soon as reasonably practicable, the registration under the Securities Act of the sale of all Registrable Securities that the Holders request to be registered and/or the Underwritten Offering of all Registrable Securities that the Holders request to be offered pursuant to such Underwritten Offering. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Initiating Holders Registrable Securities that are desired to be sold in an Underwritten Offering are subject to an effective Shelf Registration Statement, neither the Company nor the Initiating Holders shall be required to include in such Underwritten Offering other Registrable Securities that are not subject to an effective Shelf Registration Statement to the extent that such inclusion would result in a material delay in the consummation of the Underwritten Offering. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Initiating Holders may request that the Company register the sale of such Registrable Securities on an appropriate form, including a Shelf Registration Statement (so long as the Company is eligible to use Form S-3) and, if the Company is a WKSI, an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement. The Company shall not be obligated to take any action to effect any such registration:
(i) after it has effected six (6) Underwritten Offerings pursuant to this Section 2 in which all Registrable Securities requested to be included therein will be included; provided that the Holders shall no longer collectively hold at least 10% of the outstanding Capital Stock of the Company;
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(ii) within ninety (90) days after the completion of any Underwritten Offering pursuant to this Section 2;
(iii) during the period starting with the date thirty (30) days prior to its good faith estimate of the date of filing of, and ending on a date sixty (60) days after the effective date of, a Company-initiated registration (other than a registration relating solely to the sale of securities to employees of the Company pursuant to a stock option, stock purchase or similar plan or to a Commission Rule 145 transaction), provided that the Company is actively employing in good faith all reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective;
(iv) where the anticipated aggregate offering price of all securities included in such offering is equal to or less than fifty million dollars ($50,000,000); or
(v) if the Company shall furnish to such Holders a certificate signed by the President of the Company stating that in the good faith judgment of the board of directors of the Company it would be seriously detrimental to the Company and its equity holders for such registration statement to be filed at the time filing would be required and it is therefore essential to defer the filing of such registration statement, the Company shall have the right to defer such filing for a period of not more than ninety (90) days after receipt of the request of the Holders, provided that the Company shall not defer its obligation in this manner or pursuant to Section 2(a)(iii) for more than an aggregate one hundred twenty (120) days in any twelve (12) month period.
(b) Underwriting . In connection with any Underwritten Offering, the Company (together with all Holders proposing to distribute their securities through such underwriting) shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the underwriter or underwriters selected for such underwriting by the Initiating Holders in their sole discretion. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2, if the underwriter advises the Initiating Holders in writing that marketing factors require a limitation of the number of shares to be underwritten, the Initiating Holders shall so advise all Holders of Registrable Securities that would otherwise be underwritten pursuant hereto, and the number of shares of Registrable Securities that may be included in the registration and underwriting shall be allocated as set forth in this Section 2(b). The shares of Registrable Securities that may be included shall be allocated first to the shares requested to be included by the Initiating Holders and then the shares requested to be included by other Holders, with such shares allocated among such other Holders in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the respective amounts of Registrable Securities held by such other Holders at the time of filing the registration statement.
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If any Holder of Registrable Securities disapproves of the terms of the underwriting, such Person may elect to withdraw therefrom by written notice to the Company, the managing underwriter and the Initiating Holders. If by the withdrawal of such Registrable Securities a greater number of shares of Registrable Securities held by other Holders may be included in such registration (up to the maximum of any limitation imposed by the underwriters), then the Company shall offer to all Holders who have included Registrable Securities in the registration the right to include additional Registrable Securities in the same proportion used in determining the underwriter limitation in this Section 2(b). If the underwriter has not limited the number of shares of Registrable Securities to be underwritten, the Company may include securities for its own account if the underwriter so agrees and if the number of shares of Registrable Securities which would otherwise have been included in such registration and underwriting will not thereby be limited.
Section 3. | Piggyback Registrations |
(a) General . If, at any time or from time to time after the date hereof, the Company proposes to register the sale of any of its securities for its own account or for the account of any third person in connection with an underwritten offering of its securities to the general public for cash on a form which would permit the registration of Registrable Securities, the Company will:
(i) promptly give to each Holder written notice thereof; and
(ii) include in such registration and in the underwriting involved therein, all the Registrable Securities specified in a written request or requests, made within ten (10) days after mailing or personal delivery of such written notice from the Company, by any Holders (except that (A) if the underwriter determines that marketing factors require a shorter time period and so inform each Holder in the applicable written notice, such written request or requests must be made within five (5) days and (B) in the case of an overnight offering or a bought deal, such written request or requests must be made within one (1) Business Day), except as set forth in Section 3(b); provided , however , that the Company may withdraw any registration statement described in this Section 3 at any time before it becomes effective, or postpone or terminate the offering of securities under such registration statement, without obligation or liability to any Holder.
(b) Underwriting . The right of any Holder to registration pursuant to this Section 3 shall be conditioned upon such Holders participation in the underwriting and the inclusion of such Holders Registrable Securities in the underwriting to the extent provided herein. All Holders proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through such underwriting shall (together with the Company) enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the underwriter or underwriters selected for such underwriting by the Company. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 3, if the underwriter determines that marketing factors require a limitation of the number of shares to be underwritten, the Company shall so advise all Holders whose securities would otherwise be registered and underwritten pursuant hereto, and the number of shares of Registrable Securities that may be included in the registration and underwriting shall be so limited and shall be allocated first, to the Company; second, if there remains additional availability for additional Common Stock to be included in such offering, among all Holders in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the respective amounts of
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Registrable Securities entitled to inclusion in such registration held by such Holders at the time of filing the registration statement, and third, if there remains availability for additional securities to be included in such offering, pro rata among any other persons who have been granted registration rights, or who have requested participation in the offering.
If any Holder disapproves of the terms of any such underwriting, the Holder may elect to withdraw therefrom by written notice to the Company and the underwriter. If by the withdrawal of such Registrable Securities a greater number of shares of Registrable Securities held by other Holders may be included in such registration (up to the maximum of any limitation imposed by the underwriters), then the Company shall offer to all Holders who have included Registrable Securities in the registration the right to include additional shares of Registrable Securities in the same proportion used in determining the underwriter limitation in this Section 3(b).
Section 4. | Selection of Counsel; Registration Expenses |
(a) The Holders of a majority of the shares of Registrable Securities included in any offering pursuant to Section 2 or 3 hereof shall have the right to designate legal counsel to represent all of the Holders in connection therewith.
(b) All Registration Expenses incurred in connection with any registration, filing, qualification or compliance pursuant to Sections 2 and 3 shall be borne by the Company. All Selling Expenses relating to the sale of securities registered by the Holders shall be borne by the Holders of such securities pro rata on the basis of the number of shares so sold.
Section 5. | Further Obligations |
(a) In connection with any registration of the sale of shares of Registrable Securities under the Securities Act pursuant to this Agreement, the Company will consult with each Holder whose Registrable Securities is to be included in any such registration concerning the form of underwriting agreement (and shall provide to each such Holder the form of underwriting agreement prior to the Companys execution thereof) and shall provide to each such Holder and its representatives such other documents (including correspondence with the Commission with respect to the registration statement and the related securities offering) as such Holder shall reasonably request in connection with its participation in such registration. The Company will furnish each Registering Stockholder whose Registrable Securities is registered thereunder and each underwriter, if any, with a copy of the registration statement and all amendments thereto and will supply each such Registering Stockholder and each underwriter, if any, with copies of any prospectus forming a part of such registration statement (including a preliminary prospectus and all amendments and supplements thereto, the Prospectus ), in such quantities as may be reasonably requested for the purposes of the proposed sale or distribution covered by such registration. In the event that the Company prepares and files with the Commission a registration statement on any appropriate form under the Securities Act (a Registration Statement ) providing for the sale of Registrable Securities held by any Registering Stockholder pursuant to its obligations under this Agreement, the Company will:
(i) prepare and file with the Commission such Registration Statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such
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Registration Statement to become effective and, upon the request of the Holders of a majority of the shares of Registrable Securities registered thereunder, keep such Registration Statement effective until the participating Holder or Holders have completed the distribution described in such Registration Statement, which may include sales from time to time for an indefinite period of time pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (or any similar rule that may be adapted by the Commission);
(ii) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective; cause the related Prospectus to be supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act; and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement during the applicable period in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the participating Holder or Holders thereof set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to such Prospectus;
(iii) promptly notify the Registering Stockholders and the managing underwriters, if any, (A) when a Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective, (B) of any request by the Commission or any state securities commission for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or related Prospectus or for additional information, (C) of the issuance by the Commission or any state securities commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, (D) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, and (E) of the existence of any fact which results in a Registration Statement, a Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference containing an untrue statement of a material fact or omitting to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;
(iv) use commercially reasonable efforts to promptly obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement;
(v) if requested by the managing underwriters or a Registering Stockholder, promptly incorporate in a Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as the managing underwriters or the Registering Stockholders holding a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold by Registering Stockholders agree should be included therein relating to the sale of such Registrable Securities, including without limitation information with respect to the amount of Registrable Securities being sold to such underwriters, the purchase price being paid therefor by such underwriters and with respect to any other terms of the underwritten (or best efforts underwritten) offering of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such offering; and make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as notified of the matters to be incorporated in such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment;
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(vi) furnish to such Registering Stockholder and each managing underwriter at least one signed copy of the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference and all exhibits (including those incorporated by reference) ( provided , however , that any such document made available by the Company through EDGAR shall be deemed so furnished);
(vii) deliver to such Registering Stockholders and the underwriters, if any, as many copies of the Prospectus (including each preliminary prospectus) and any amendment or supplement thereto as such persons or entities may reasonably request;
(viii) prior to any public offering of Registrable Securities, register or qualify or cooperate with the Registering Stockholders, the underwriters, if any, and their respective counsel in connection with the registration or qualification of such Registrable Securities for offer and sale under the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions within the United States as any Registering Stockholder or underwriter reasonably requests in writing and do any and all other acts or things necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement; provided , however , that the Company will not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not then so required to be qualified or to take any action which would subject it to general service of process or taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject;
(ix) cooperate with the Registering Stockholders and the managing underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be sold pursuant to such Registration Statement and not bearing any restrictive legends, and enable such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the managing underwriters may request at least one (1) Business Day prior to any sale of Registrable Securities to the underwriters;
(x) if any fact described in subparagraph (iii)(E) above exists, promptly prepare and file with the Commission a supplement or post-effective amendment to the applicable Registration Statement or the related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Securities being sold thereunder, such Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;
(xi) cause all Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be listed on each securities exchange or automated quotation system on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed;
(xii) provide a CUSIP number for all Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement, not later than the effective date of the applicable Registration Statement;
(xiii) enter into such agreements (including an underwriting agreement in form reasonably satisfactory to the Company) and take all such other reasonable actions in connection therewith in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities, including customary participation of management; and
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(xiv) make available for inspection by a representative of the Registering Stockholders whose Registrable Securities are being sold pursuant to such Registration Statement, any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to a Registration Statement, and any attorney or accountant retained by such Registering Stockholders or underwriter, all financial and other records and any pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company reasonably requested by such representative, underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with such Registration Statement; provided , however , that any records, information or documents that are designated by the Company in writing as confidential shall be kept confidential by such persons or entities unless disclosure of such records, information or documents is required by court or administrative order.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, to the extent the Company is a WKSI, at the time any Registrable Securities are registered pursuant to Section 2 hereof, and the Initiating Holders so request, the Company shall file an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement which covers those shares of Registrable Securities which are requested to be registered within five (5) Business Days after receipt of such request. If the Company does not pay the filing fee covering the shares of Registrable Securities at the time the Automatic Shelf Registration Statement is filed, the Company agrees to pay such fee at such time or times as the shares of Registrable Securities are to be sold. If the Automatic Shelf Registration Statement has been outstanding for at least three (3) years, at the end of the third year the Company shall file a new Automatic Shelf Registration Statement covering the shares of Registrable Securities. If at any time when the Company is required to re-evaluate its WKSI status the Company determines that it is not a WKSI, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to file a new Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 (or amend the Automatic Shelf Registration Statement to a form that the Company is eligible to use) and keep such registration statement effective during the period during which such registration statement is required to be kept effective.
(c) Each Holder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of an event of the kind described in Section 5(a)(iii)(B) through Section 5(a)(iii)(E), such Holder will immediately discontinue disposition of shares of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement or an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement until such stop order is vacated or such Holder receives a copy of the supplemented or amended Prospectus. If so directed by the Company, each Holder will deliver to the Company (at the reasonable expense of the Company) all copies in its possession, other than permanent file copies then in such Holders possession, of the Prospectus covering such shares of Registrable Securities at the time of receipt of such notice.
Section 6. | Further Information Furnished by Holders |
It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations of the Company to take any action pursuant to Sections 2 through 5 that the Holders shall furnish to the Company such information regarding themselves, the Registrable Securities held by them, and the intended method of disposition of such securities as shall be required to effect the registration of the sale of their Registrable Securities.
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Section 7. | Indemnification |
In the event any shares of Registrable Securities are included in a registration statement under Section 2 or 3:
(a) To the extent permitted by law, the Company will indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, each of the officers, directors, partners and agents of each Holder, any underwriter (as defined in the Securities Act) for such Holder and each Person, if any, who controls such Holder or underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act or Exchange Act, against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (joint or several) to which they may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state law, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any of the following statements, omissions or violations (collectively a Violation ): any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in such registration statement, including any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein or any amendments or supplements thereto; the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; or any violation or alleged violation by the Company or any officer, director, employee, advisor or affiliate thereof of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any state securities law or any rule or regulation promulgated under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any state securities law, and the Company will reimburse each such Holder, officer, director, partner or agent, underwriter or controlling Person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability, or action; provided , however , that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 7(a) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability, or action if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, delayed or denied), nor shall the Company be liable in any such case for any such loss, claim, damage, liability, or action to the extent that it arises out of or is based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished expressly for use in connection with such registration by any such Holder or underwriter.
(b) To the extent permitted by law, each Holder will, if shares of Registrable Securities held by such Person are included in the securities as to which such registration, qualification or compliance is being effected, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors and officers, each legal counsel and independent accountant of the Company, each Person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act, each underwriter (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the Companys securities covered by such a registration statement, any Person who controls such underwriter, and any other Holder selling securities in such registration statement and each of its directors, officers, partners or agents or any Person who controls such Holder, against any losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (joint or several) to which the Company or any such underwriter, other Holder, director, officer, partner or agent or controlling Person may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state law, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereto) arise out of or are based upon any Violation, in each case to the extent (and only to the extent) that such Violation occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished by such Holder expressly for use in connection with such registration, and each such Holder will reimburse any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company or any such underwriter, other Holder, officer, director, partner or agent or controlling Person in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim,
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damage, liability, or action; provided , however , that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 7(b) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action if such settlement is effected without the consent of such Holder (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, delayed or denied); and provided , that in no event shall any indemnity under this Section 7(b) exceed the net proceeds from the offering received by such Holder.
(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 7 of notice of the commencement of any action (including any governmental action), such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 7, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof, and the indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly noticed, to assume the defense thereof with counsel mutually satisfactory to the parties; provided , however , that an indemnified party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, with the fees and expenses to be paid by the indemnifying party, if the indemnified party shall have been advised by counsel that representation of such indemnified party by the counsel retained by the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between such indemnified party and any other party represented by such counsel in such proceeding. The failure of any indemnified party to notify an indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such action, if prejudicial to its ability to defend such action, shall relieve such indemnifying party of liability to the indemnified party under this Section 7 only to the extent that such failure to give notice shall materially prejudice the indemnifying party in the defense of any such claim or any such litigation, but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve it of any liability that it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under this Section 7.
(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 7 is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an indemnified party with respect to any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to herein, the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party thereunder, shall to the extent permitted by applicable law contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such loss, claim, damage or liability in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party on the one hand and of the indemnified party on the other in connection with the Violation(s) that resulted in such loss, claim, damage or liability, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and of the indemnified party shall be determined by a court of law by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or by the indemnified party and the parties relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission; provided , that in no event shall any contribution by a Holder hereunder exceed the net proceeds from the offering received by such Holder.
(e) The obligations of the Company and the Holders under this Section 7 shall survive completion of any offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to a registration statement.
(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the provisions on indemnification and contribution contained in the underwriting agreement entered into in connection with any registration provided for under Sections 2 or 3 are in conflict with the foregoing provisions of this Section 7, the provisions in such underwriting agreement shall control.
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Section 8. | Rule 144 Reporting |
With a view to making available to the Holders the benefits of Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act ( Rule 144 ) and any other rule or regulation of the Commission that may at any time permit a Holder to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration, the Company agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to:
(a) make and keep public information available (as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144) at all times after the date hereof;
(b) file with the Commission in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Exchange Act; and
(c) furnish to any Holder, forthwith upon request, (i) a written statement by the Company that it has complied with the reporting requirements of Rule 144, the Securities Act and the Exchange Act (at any time after it has become subject to such reporting requirements), (ii) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company and such other reports and documents so filed by the Company ( provided , however , that any such report or document described in this subsection (iii) made available by the Company through EDGAR shall be deemed so furnished), and (iv) such other information as may be reasonably requested in availing any Holder of any rule or regulation of the Commission which permits the selling of any such securities without registration or pursuant to such form.
Section 9. | Assignment of Rights |
The provisions hereof will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties hereto, except as otherwise provided herein; provided , however , that the registration rights granted hereby may be transferred only (i) by operation of Law or (ii) to any Person to whom a Holder transfers Registrable Securities, provided that any such transferee shall not be entitled to rights pursuant to Section 2 or 3 hereof unless such transferee of registration rights hereunder agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions hereof and executes and delivers to the Company an acknowledgment and agreement to such effect.
Section 10. | Amendment of Registration Rights |
Any provision of this Agreement may be amended and the observance thereof may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) only with the written consent of the Company and the Holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2 / 3 %) of the Registrable Securities or securities convertible into Registrable Securities. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 10 shall be binding upon each Holder and the Company.
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Section 11. | Expiration, Termination and Delay of Registration |
(a) The Company shall have no further obligations pursuant to this Agreement at such time as no shares of Registrable Securities are outstanding after their original issuance; provided , that the Companys obligations under Sections 7 and 14 (and any related definitions) shall remain in full force and effect following such time.
(b) No Holder shall have any right to obtain or seek an injunction restraining or otherwise delaying any such registration as the result of any controversy that might arise with respect to the interpretation or implementation of this Agreement.
Section 12. | Limitations on Subsequent Registration Rights |
From and after the date hereof, the Company may, without the prior written consent of the Holders, enter into any agreement with any holder or prospective holder of any securities of the Company which provides such holder or prospective holder of securities of the Company registration rights that conflict with those granted to the Holders hereby.
Section 13. | Market Stand-off Agreement |
In connection with any Underwritten Offering pursuant to this Registration Rights Agreement, each Holder hereby agrees that it will not, to the extent requested by the Company and an underwriter of securities of the Company, sell or otherwise transfer or dispose of any Registrable Securities, except securities included in such registration, during the period beginning fourteen (14) days prior to the expected date of pricing of such offering and continuing for a period not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days with respect to the initial public offering or ninety (90) days with respect to any offering subsequent to the initial public offering beginning on the date of such final prospectus (or prospectus supplement if the offering is made pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement), and it will enter into agreements with the managing underwriters, if any, in connection with any such sale to give effect to the foregoing; provided , however , that all other Persons with registration rights (whether or not pursuant to this Agreement) enter into similar agreements. In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to the Registrable Securities of each Holder (and the shares or securities of every other Person subject to the foregoing restriction) until the end of such one hundred eighty (180)-day or ninety (90)-day period.
Section 14. | Miscellaneous |
(a) Notices . All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given and received when delivered by overnight courier or hand delivery, when sent by telecopy, or five (5) days after mailing if sent by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) postage prepaid, to the Parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for any Party as shall be specified by like notices, provided that notices of a change of address shall be effective only upon receipt thereof).
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If to the Company, at:
10260 Westheimer Rd., Suite 700
Houston, Texas 77042
Attention: General Counsel
If to any Holder of Registrable Securities, to such Persons address as set forth on the records of the Company.
(b) Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
(c) Headings . The section and paragraph headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
(d) Governing Law . THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, EXCLUDING ANY CONFLICT-OF-LAWS RULE OR PRINCIPLE THAT MIGHT REFER THE GOVERNANCE OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS AGREEMENT TO THE LAW OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION.
(e) Severability . If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the Parties hereto shall use their best efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the intention of the Parties that they would have executed the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.
(f) Entire Agreement . This Agreement is intended by the Parties as a final expression of their agreement, and is intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein, with respect to the registration rights granted by the Company with respect to Registrable Securities. This Agreement supersedes all prior written or oral agreements and understandings between the Parties with respect to such subject matter.
(g) Securities Held by the Company or its Subsidiaries . Whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Securities is required hereunder, Registrable Securities held by the Company or its subsidiaries shall not be counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage.
(h) Termination . This Agreement shall terminate when no shares of Registrable Securities remain outstanding; provided that Sections 4 and 7 shall survive any termination hereof.
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(i) Specific Performance . The parties hereto recognize and agree that money damages may be insufficient to compensate the Holders of any Registrable Securities for breaches by the Company of the terms hereof and, consequently, that the equitable remedy of specific performance of the terms hereof will be available in the event of any such breach.
[ Signature pages follow ]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
F RANK S I NTERNATIONAL N.V. | ||||
By: |
/s/ Donald Keith Mosing |
|||
Name: | Donald Keith Mosing | |||
Title: | Chief Executive Officer and President | |||
M OSING H OLDINGS , I NC . | ||||
By: |
/s/ Brian D. Baird |
|||
Name: | Brian D. Baird | |||
Title: | Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary | |||
FWW B.V. | ||||
By: |
/s/ Donald Keith Mosing |
|||
Name: | Donald Keith Mosing | |||
Title: | Managing Director A | |||
By: Intertrust (Netherlands) B.V., | ||||
as Managing Director B | ||||
By: |
/s/ D.J. Jaarsma |
|||
Name: | D.J Jaarsma | |||
Title: | Proxy Holder | |||
By: |
/s/ S. Srijbosch |
|||
Name: | S. Srijbosh | |||
Title: | Proxy Holder |
Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement
Exhibit 10.3
Execution Version
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V. MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
This Franks International C.V. Management Agreement (this Agreement ), dated as of August 14, 2013, is entered into by and among Franks International N.V., a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands ( FINV ), Franks International LP B.V., a private limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands ( FILP ), Franks International Management B.V., a private limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands ( FIM ), and Mosing Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation ( MH ). The above-named entities are sometimes referred to in this Agreement each as a Party and collectively as the Parties . Certain capitalized and other terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in Article I .
RECITALS :
WHEREAS , FILP, FIM and MH constitute all of the Partners of FICV; and
WHEREAS , the Parties desire to take certain actions with respect to the operation and management of FICV in order to facilitate the activities of FINV as a publicly traded company.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
Article I
DEFINITIONS
Common Stock means the common stock of FINV, par value 0.01 per share.
FICV means Franks International C.V., a limited partnership established under the laws of The Netherlands.
FINV Articles means the Articles of Association of FINV, as amended from time to time.
FWW means FWW B.V., a private limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands.
Managing Partner means FIM, acting in its capacity as the managing partner of FICV.
net proceeds means gross proceeds to FINV from the issuance of Common Stock less all bona fide out-of-pocket expenses of FINV, FICV and their respective subsidiaries in connection with such issuance.
Notes means the unsecured promissory notes issued by FINV payable to FWW, which had a principal balance of $415 million as of June 30, 2013.
Partners has the meaning set forth in the Partnership Agreement.
Partnership Agreement means the limited partnership agreement of FICV, as amended from time to time.
Percentage Interest has the meaning set forth in the Partnership Agreement.
Preferred Stock means the Series A preferred stock of FINV, par value 0.01 per share.
Article II
DELEGATION OF CONSENT
Section 2.01 FILP, FIM and MH, constituting all of the Partners of FICV, hereby consent and agree to the delegation (as meant in article 9.2 of the Partnership Agreement) by MH to FINV of all of its right to consent to or otherwise approve actions taken by or on behalf of FICV pursuant to the following provisions of the Partnership Agreement:
(a) | Article 4.2; or |
(b) | Article 12. |
In addition, the delegation by MH pursuant to this Section 2.01 shall include the right to consent to or otherwise approve any amendment to the Partnership Agreement solely to effectuate changes pursuant to such provisions.
Section 2.02 Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.01 , nothing contained in Section 2.01 shall otherwise authorize FINV to approve on behalf of MH any sale, transfer, exchange, assignment, gift, right of usufruct or other disposition of MHs interest in FICV (a Transfer ), other than pursuant to a conversion of Preferred Stock as contemplated by Article IV . A Transfer shall be subject to article 12 of the Partnership Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, any dilution of MHs percentage interest in FICV as a result of the actions contemplated by Article III shall not be considered a Transfer.
Article III
CAPITAL STRUCTURE
Section 3.01 If FINV issues Common Stock, FINV shall promptly cause FILP (or such other subsidiary of FINV designated by FINV) to contribute to FICV all the net proceeds (or other consideration), if any, received by FINV with respect to such Common Stock (provided that (i) FINV will be treated as contributing the gross proceeds of such offering of Common Stock to FICV and FICV will be treated as paying all of the expenses of the offering directly to each service provider and (ii) if such Common Stock is issued in exchange for services, for purposes of this Article III , (a) FICV shall be treated as having made a cash payment to the employee or other service provider in an amount equal to the value of the Common Stock issued, (b) the employee or other service provider shall be treated as having purchased the Common stock for cash equal to the value of such Common Stock from FINV, and (c) FINV shall be treated as contributing such cash (through FILP and FIM) to FICV). Upon the contribution (or deemed contribution) by FILP (or such other subsidiary) to FICV of all of such consideration, the Managing Partner shall cause FICV to attribute an additional interest in FICV to FILP (or such other subsidiary) such that FILP and FIMs (and, if applicable, any other subsidiary of FINV) collective aggregate percentage interest in FICV shall equal the percentage of the total number of shares of outstanding Common Stock and Preferred Stock that constitutes Common Stock.
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Section 3.02 If any Common Stock is issued by FINV in connection with an equity incentive program subject to vesting or forfeiture provisions, then the interests in FICV that are attributed by FICV to FILP (or such other subsidiary of FINV designated by FINV) in connection therewith in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.01 shall be subject to vesting or forfeiture on the same basis. Any cash or property held by FILP, FIM or FICV (or such other subsidiary) on each others behalf in respect of dividends paid on restricted Common Stock that fails to vest shall be returned to FICV upon the forfeiture of such restricted Common Stock.
Section 3.03 In connection with any future contribution of cash or property to FICV, the Partners percentage interests in FICV will be redetermined. Each Partners percentage interest in FICV will equal the net fair market value of the cash or property contributed (or deemed contributed) to FICV by such Partner divided by the net fair market value of all cash or property contributed (or deemed contributed) by all Partners. For purposes of this calculation, each Partner that owns an interest in FICV immediately prior to a future contribution will be deemed to have made an aggregate contribution to FICV equal to its percentage interest (as in effect immediately prior to the redetermination) of the net fair market value of FICV immediately prior to such future contribution.
Section 3.04 Except as otherwise provided by Section 3.02, if, at any time, any Common Stock is repurchased, redeemed or otherwise reacquired (whether by exercise of a put or call, pursuant to an open market purchase, automatically or by means of another arrangement) by FINV and subsequently cancelled, then the Managing Partner shall cause FICV, immediately prior to such repurchase or redemption of Common Stock, to repurchase or redeem a portion of FILPs (or such other subsidiary of FINV designated by FINV) interests in FICV such that following such repurchase or redemption, FILP and FIMs (and, if applicable, any other subsidiary of FINV) collective aggregate percentage interest in FICV shall equal the percentage of the total number of shares of outstanding Common Stock and Preferred Stock that constitutes Common Stock, at an aggregate redemption price equal to the aggregate purchase or redemption price of the Common Stock being repurchased or redeemed by FINV (plus any expenses related thereto) and upon such other terms as are the same for the Common Stock being repurchased or redeemed by FINV.
Section 3.05 As a result of the provisions of Sections 3.01 , 3.02 , 3.03 and 3.04 , at all times (a) the collective Percentage Interest of FIM, FILP and any other subsidiary of FINV contemplated above will equal the percentage of the total number of shares of outstanding Common Stock and Preferred Stock that constitutes Common Stock and (b) the Percentage Interest of MH will equal the percentage of the total number of shares of outstanding Common Stock and Preferred Stock that constitutes Preferred Stock
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Article IV
RETIREMENT
The Parties agree that no Partner may take any voluntary action that would cause or require such Partner to retire from FICV pursuant to Article 8.1 of the Partnership Agreement without the prior written consent of each of the Parties.
Article V
PREFERRED STOCK CONVERSION
Section 5.01 The Parties acknowledge and agree that the Preferred Stock shall be convertible on the terms set forth in the FINV Articles.
Section 5.02 In connection with any proposed conversion of Preferred Stock, the Parties shall take all actions necessary to effectuate such conversion, including consenting to any changes in the Partners percentage interests in FICV in accordance with the provisions of Article II and Article III .
Article VI
ASSETS OF FICV
Section 6.01 The Parties agree that legal title of any assets contributed to FICV shall be held by FIM in its capacity as Managing Partner pursuant to the terms of the Partnership Agreement. The Parties agree that FIM will be the registered holder of all right, title and interest in and to such assets for the sole benefit, of FICV.
Section 6.02 The Parties further agree that FIM may have the following rights and privileges with respect to the assets described in Section 6.01 :
(a) | to operate in the name and for the account of FICV; |
(b) | to bind FICV by its actions; |
(c) | to transmit money received with respect to the assets described in Section 6.01 to FICV; and |
(d) | to perform all other duties and obligations and exercise all rights and powers arising out of or in connection with FICVs right, title and interest in and to the assets described in Section 6.01 . |
Section 6.03 FIM will promptly transmit to FICV all documents, monies, bills, invoices, instruments, correspondence and any other communications of any kind received by FIM with respect to the assets described in Section 6.01 from any party other than FICV. Promptly upon FIMs receipt of any revenues from any of the assets described in Section 6.01 , FIM will transmit to FICV such revenues without offset or deduction of any kind, accompanied by such statements as shall have been received by FIM in connection with its receipt of such revenues.
Section 6 . 04 The Parties agree to cause to defend, indemnify and hold FIM harmless from and against all losses, costs or liabilities which FIM may incur with respect to any claim asserted against FIM by reason of its acting under this Article VI .
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Article VII
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Section 7.01 Each Party represents and warrants that it is an entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of formation, as applicable, and has power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out its obligations hereunder.
Section 7.02 Each Party represents and warrants that the execution and delivery of this Agreement by such Party have been duly authorized by all necessary action on its part, and no other proceedings on its part are necessary to authorize this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 7.03 Each Party represents and warrants that this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such Party and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of each of them, and is enforceable against each of them in accordance with its terms.
Article VIII
FURTHER ASSURANCES
From and after the date hereof, and without any further consideration, the Parties agree to execute, acknowledge and deliver all such additional documents, and will do all such other acts and things, all in accordance with applicable law, as may be necessary or appropriate to more fully and effectively carry out the purposes of this Agreement.
Article IX
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 9.01 All Article and Section headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be deemed to control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.
Section 9.02 This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and assigns.
Section 9.03 The provisions of this Agreement are intended to bind the Parties as to each other and are not intended to and do not create rights in any other person or confer upon any other person any benefits, rights or remedies, and no person is or is intended to be a third party beneficiary of any of the provisions of this Agreement.
Section 9.04 This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which together shall constitute one agreement binding on the Parties.
Section 9.05 This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Texas applicable to contracts made and to be performed wholly within such state, without giving effect to conflict of laws principles thereof.
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Section 9.06 If any of the provisions of this Agreement are held by any court of competent jurisdiction to contravene, or to be invalid under, the laws of any political body having jurisdiction over the subject matter hereof, such contravention or invalidity shall not invalidate the entire Agreement. Instead, this Agreement shall be construed as if it did not contain the particular provision or provisions held to be invalid, and an equitable adjustment shall be made and necessary provision added so as to give effect to the intention of the Parties as expressed in this Agreement at the time of execution of this Agreement.
Section 9.07 The Agreement may be amended or modified from time to time only by the written agreement of all of the Parties. Each such instrument shall be reduced to writing and shall be designated on its face as an amendment to this Agreement.
Section 9.08 This Agreement shall automatically terminate on the date when MH or its permitted assigns no longer own any interests in FICV.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed by the Parties as of the date first written above.
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL N.V. | ||||
By: |
/s/ Donald Keith Mosing |
|||
Name: | Donald Keith Mosing | |||
Title: | Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Chief Executive Officer and President | |||
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL LP B.V. | ||||
By: |
/s/ Donald Keith Mosing |
|||
Name: | Donald Keith Mosing | |||
Title: | Managing Director A | |||
By: | Intertrust (Netherlands) B.V., | |||
as Managing Director B | ||||
By: |
/s/ D.J. Jaarsma |
|||
Name: | D.J Jaarsma | |||
Title: | Proxy Holder | |||
By: |
/s/ S. Srijbosch |
|||
Name: | S. Srijbosh | |||
Title: | Proxy Holder | |||
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V. | ||||
By: |
/s/ Donald Keith Mosing |
|||
Name: | Donald Keith Mosing | |||
Title: | Managing Director | |||
MOSING HOLDINGS, INC. | ||||
By: |
/s/ Donald Keith Mosing |
|||
Name: | Donald Keith Mosing | |||
Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer |
[Signature Page to Management Agreement]
Exhibit 10.4
THE INTERESTS REPRESENTED BY THIS AGREEMENT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNDER ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS. SUCH INTERESTS MAY NOT BE SOLD, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF AT ANY TIME WITHOUT EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION UNDER SUCH ACT AND LAWS OR EXEMPTION THEREFROM AND COMPLIANCE WITH THE OTHER SUBSTANTIAL RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY SET FORTH HEREIN.
THE INTERESTS REPRESENTED BY THIS AGREEMENT ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND REPURCHASE OPTIONS SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT.
AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO
THE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT OF
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V.
[Capital Contribution by limited partner]
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THIS AGREEMENT (AMENDMENT AGREEMENT NO. 4) IS MADE EFFECTIVE AS
PER THE 14TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2013 (AMENDMENT 4 DATE)
BETWEEN:
(1) | Franks International Management B.V. , a private limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the Netherlands, having its corporate seat in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, with address Prins Bernhardplein 200, 1097 JB Amsterdam, The Netherlands, registered with the trade register under number 50802275 (FIM); |
(2) | Franks International LP B.V. , a private limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the Netherlands, having its corporate seat in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, with address Prins Bernhardplein 200, 1097 JB Amsterdam, The Netherlands, registered with the trade register under number 50802070 (FILP); |
(3) | Mosing Holdings, Inc. , a corporation established under the laws of the state of Delaware, United States of America, with its registered office at 10260 Westheimer Rd, Houston, Texas 77042, United States of America (MH), |
these companies hereinafter each also referred to as a Party and jointly as the Parties.
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WHEREAS:
(A) | By agreement (the Formation Agreement) dated the 29th day of July, 2013 (the Formation Date), FIM and FILP formed and entered into a limited partnership under the laws of the Netherlands ( commanditaire vennootschap ), hereinafter referred to as the C.V., for the purpose of participating in and financing of other companies. |
(B) | By agreement (the Amendment Agreement No. 1) dated the first day of August, 2013 (the Amendment 1 Date), the Parties have recorded: |
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the additional (non-cash) capital contribution by FILP; |
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the additional (non-cash) capital contribution by FIM; and |
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an update of certain provisions of the partnership agreement governing the C.V. |
(C) | By agreement (the Amendment Agreement No. 2) dated the 8th day of August, 2013 (the Amendment 2 Date), the Parties have recorded: |
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the additional (non-cash) capital contribution by FIM; and |
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an update of certain provisions of the partnership agreement governing the C.V. |
(D) | By agreement (the Amendment Agreement No. 3) dated the 14th day of August, 2013 (the Amendment 3 Date), the Parties have recorded: |
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the admission of MH as limited partner of the C.V.; and |
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an update of certain provisions of the partnership agreement governing the C.V. |
(E) | By executing this Amendment Agreement No. 4, the Parties wish to record: |
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the additional capital contribution by FILP; and |
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an update of certain provisions of the partnership agreement governing the C.V. |
I.1 | Contribution |
I.1.1 | The Parties have agreed that as of the Amendment 4 Date, FILP will make an additional capital contribution to the C.V., of an amount of USD 299,468,341, which represents a portion of the net proceeds from the initial public offering of shares of common stock of its ultimate parent company, Franks International N.V. |
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A portion of the contribution by FILP to the C.V. shall be deemed to be a share premium contribution by FILP to FIM, followed by a contribution of the same portion by FIM to the C.V. This portion is such that FIMs Ownership Percentage will be 0.1%.
I.1.2 | As per the Amendment 4 Date, the Partners will hold the interest percentages in the C.V. as stated in Chapter II article 4.4. below. |
I.2 | Consent / Amendment partnership agreement |
I.2.1 | By signing this Amendment Agreement No. 4, the Parties confirm their prior consent to the additional capital contribution by FILP to the C.V. |
I.2.2 | FIM, FILP and MH hereby confirm for the avoidance of doubt that they continue the C.V. and wish to update the partnership agreement governing the C.V., as provided in this Amendment Agreement No. 4. |
II. | Updated and restated complete text of the partnership agreement |
The provisions of the Amendment Agreement No. 3 are hereby modified in order to update the partnership agreement to reflect the changes as of the Amendment 4 Date.
The complete text of the terms and conditions of their relationship as partners of the C.V. as modified in connection with the above, now reads as follows.
1. | Definitions |
In this Agreement and the recitals hereto the following expressions shall have the meaning set opposite them:
C.V.: | Franks International C.V., a limited partnership established under Dutch law as described in Article 2 of this Agreement; | |
FINV | Franks International N.V., a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the Netherlands, having its corporate seat in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, |
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with address Prins Bernhardplein 200, 1097 JB Amsterdam, The Netherlands, registered with the trade register under number 34241787; | ||
FINV A Shares: | Shares of Series A preferred stock in the capital of FINV; | |
FINV Common Shares: | Shares of Common stock in the capital of FINV; | |
Formation Date: | July 29, 2013; | |
General Partner: |
FIM; |
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or any replacement general partner admitted after the date hereof; |
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Limited Partner(s): |
FILP; |
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MH; and |
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any limited partner admitted after the date hereof, or in singular any one of them; |
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Lower-tier Partners: | has the meaning ascribed to it in Article 12.4. | |
Managing Partner: | the General Partner entrusted with the management of the C.V.; | |
Partners: | the General Partner and the Limited Partner(s), or in singular any one of them; | |
Percentage Interest | has the meaning ascribed to it in Article 4.3; | |
Remaining Partners: | has the meaning ascribed to it in Article 8.2; | |
Resigning Partner: | has the meaning ascribed to it in Article 8.2; | |
Upper-tier Partner: | has the meaning ascribed to it in Article 12.1. |
2. | Establishment of limited partnership |
2.1 | FIM, as General Partner, and FILP, as Limited Partner, have established the C.V. with effect as from the Formation Date. As from the Amendment 3 Date, MH has been admitted as Limited Partner. |
2.2 | The C.V.s name is Franks International C.V. It has its partnerships seat in Amsterdam, and its registered office at the principal offices of the Managing Partner. |
2.3 | The objects for which the C.V. is established are to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a limited partnership may be organized under applicable law. The C.V. may engage in any and all activities necessary, desirable or incidental to the accomplishment of the foregoing, including: |
a. | to incorporate, participate in, conduct the management of and take any other financial interest in other companies and enterprises; |
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b. | to render administrative, technical, financial, economic or managerial services to other companies, persons or enterprises; |
c. | to acquire, dispose of, manage and exploit real and personal property, including patents, marks, licenses, permits and other industrial property rights; |
d. | to borrow and/or lend moneys, act as surety or guarantor in any other manner, and bind itself jointly and severally or otherwise in addition to or on behalf of others, |
the foregoing whether or not in collaboration with third parties and inclusive of the performance and promotion of all activities which directly and indirectly relate to those objects, all this in the broadest sense, provided, however, that it shall not itself engage in businesses in the Netherlands.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, nothing set forth herein shall be construed as authorizing the C.V. to possess any purpose or power, or to do any act or thing, forbidden by law to a limited partnership formed under the laws of the Netherlands.
2.4 | Subject to the provisions of this Agreement and except as permitted by applicable law, (i) the Managing Partner acting for and on behalf of the C.V. may enter into and perform any and all documents, agreements and instruments, all without any further act, vote or approval of any other Partner, and (ii) the Managing Partner may authorize any Person (other than a Limited Partner) to enter into and perform any document, agreement or instrument on behalf of the C.V. |
2.5 | The C.V. shall have (i) no less than one Limited Partner and (ii) one General Partner. |
3. | Term of the partnership |
3.1 | The C.V. is established as from the Formation Date and for an indefinite period of time. |
3.2 | The C.V. shall be terminated only upon unanimous votes of the Partners. |
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4. | Contributions; Adjustments to Partnership Interests; Attributions or Redemptions of Partnership Interests |
4.1.1 | As per the Formation Date, FIM has made a contribution to the C.V. of an amount in cash, which amount has been paid by FIM to the bank account of the C.V. |
As per the Amendment 2 Date, FIM has made a (non-cash) contribution to the C.V., consisting of FINV A Shares, the FIBV Receivable and the OER Receivable (the FIBV Receivable and the OER Receivable as defined in the Amendment Agreement No. 2).
4.1.2 | As per the Formation Date, FILP has made a contribution to the C.V. of an amount in cash, which amount has been paid by FILP to the bank account of the C.V. |
As per the Amendment 1 Date, FILP has made a (non-cash) contribution to the C.V., consisting of its membership interest in Franks International Coöperatief U.A.) and all its intercompany balances with FI Coop and/or its subsidiaries, it being understood, however, that a portion of such contribution is deemed to be a contribution by FILP to FIM and subsequently a contribution by FIM to the C.V.
As per the Amendment 4 Date, FILP has made a contribution to the C.V. of an amount of USD 299,468,341 (representing a portion of the net proceeds from the initial public offering of FINV Common Shares) which amount shall be paid by FILP to the bank account of the C.V., it being understood, however, that a portion of such contribution is deemed to be a contribution by FILP to FIM and subsequently a contribution by FIM to the C.V.
4.1.3 | As per the Amendment 3 Date, MH has made a (non-cash) contribution to the C.V., consisting of its interests in the following companies: |
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Franks International LLC , a limited liability company established under the laws of the state of Texas, United States of America United States of America (FI LLC); |
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Franks Casing Operations LLC , a limited liability company established under the laws of the state of Louisiana, United States of America, United States of America (FCO LLC); and |
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Franks Tong Services LLC , a limited liability company established under the laws of the state of Oklahoma, United States of America, United States of America (FTS LLC). |
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4.2 | If agreed by unanimous votes of the Partners and without prejudice to Article 12 (i), the Partners can make additional contributions in cash or in kind to the C.V.; and (ii) capital contributions made by the Partners to the C.V. or parts thereof can be repaid by the C.V. to the Partners. Any such additional contributions or repayments are not required to be made on a pro rata basis. |
4.3 | Upon any contribution (or deemed contribution) by the Partners, the net fair market value of such contribution shall be determined and shall be taken into account for the purpose of determining the percentage interest in the C.V. (Percentage Interest) held by each partner, as further described in article 4.4. |
Solely for the purpose of United States federal income tax purposes, the C.V. shall maintain a capital account for each partner in accordance with Exhibit A, which reflects the agreement of the partners regarding certain United States tax matters.
4.4 | The Percentage Interests held by the Partners will be determined as follows: |
a. | With respect to each Partner on the date hereof, the Partners Percentage Interest will be determined by dividing the net fair market value of the contributions (whether in cash or otherwise) made by such Partner by the net fair market value of the contributions by all the Partners. |
The Partners agree that each Partners Percentage Interest as of the date hereof is as follows:
FIM: | 0.10% | |
FILP: | 74.25% (approximately) | |
MH: | 25.65% (approximately) |
b. |
In connection with any subsequent contribution (or deemed contribution) of cash, property or services to the C.V., the Percentage Interests will be redetermined, as soon as the approvals required by Article 12 have been granted. Each Partners Percentage Interest will equal the net fair market value of the cash, property or services contributed (or deemed contributed) to the C.V. by such Partner divided by the net fair market value of the cash, property or services contributed (or |
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deemed contributed) by all the Partners. For purposes of this calculation, (i) each Partner that owns an interest in the C.V. immediately prior to such subsequent contribution will be deemed to have made an aggregate contribution to the C.V. equal to its Percentage Interest (as in effect immediately prior to the redetermination) of the net fair market value of the C.V. immediately prior to such subsequent contribution and (ii) in connection with an offering of stock by FINV, the proceeds of such offering that FINV contributes to the C.V. will be deemed to include all the expenses of such offering and the C.V. will be treated as paying all of the expenses of the offering directly to each service provider. |
4.5 | For the avoidance of doubt and subject to any approvals required by Article 12, it is the expectation of the Partners that: |
a. | If FINV issues any FINV Common Shares after the date hereof, FINV shall promptly cause FILP (or such other subsidiary of FINV designated by FINV) to contribute to the C.V. all the net proceeds (or other consideration), if any, received by FINV with respect to such FINV Common Shares. Upon the contribution (or deemed contribution) by FILP (or such other subsidiary) to the C.V. of all of such net proceeds (or other consideration) so received by FINV, the Managing Partner shall cause the C.V. to attribute an additional interest in the C.V. to FILP (or such other subsidiary) and the Percentage Interests shall be re-determined pursuant to Article 4.4, such that FILP and FIMs (and, if applicable, any other subsidiary of FINV) collective aggregate Percentage Interest in the C.V. shall equal the percentage of the total number of shares of outstanding FINV Common Shares and FINV A Shares that constitutes FINV Common Shares. |
b. | If any FINV Common Shares are issued by FINV in to an employee or other service provider in connection with services rendered to or for the benefit of the C.V., for purposes of determining Percentage Interests and for purposes of maintaining the Capital Accounts, (i) the C.V. shall be treated as having made a cash payment to the employee or other service provider in an amount equal to the value of the FINV Common Shares issued, (ii) the employee or other service provider shall be treated as having purchased the FINV Common Shares for cash equal to the value of such FINV Common Shares from FINV, and (iii) FINV shall be treated as contributing such cash (through FILP and FIM) to the C.V. |
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c. | If any FINV Common Shares are issued by FINV in connection with an equity incentive program subject to vesting or forfeiture provisions, then the interests in the C.V. that are attributed by the C.V. to FILP (or such other subsidiary of FINV designated by FINV) in connection therewith in accordance with the provisions of paragraph b above shall be subject to vesting or forfeiture on the same basis. Any cash or property held by FILP, FIM or the C.V. (or such other subsidiary) on each others behalf in respect of dividends paid on restricted FINV Common Shares that fails to vest shall be returned to the C.V. upon the forfeiture of such restricted FINV Common Shares. |
d. | If, at any time, any FINV Common Shares are repurchased or redeemed (whether by exercise of a put or call, pursuant to an open market purchase, automatically or by means of another arrangement) by FINV and subsequently cancelled, then the Managing Partner shall cause the C.V., immediately prior to such repurchase or redemption of FINV Common Shares, to repurchase or redeem a portion of FILPs (or such other subsidiary of FINV designated by FINV) interests in the C.V. such that following such repurchase or redemption, FILP and FIMs (and, if applicable, any other subsidiary of FINV) collective aggregate percentage interest in the C.V. shall equal the percentage of the total number of shares of outstanding FINV Common Shares and FINV A Shares that constitutes FINV Common Shares, at an aggregate redemption price equal to the aggregate purchase or redemption price of the FINV Common Shares being repurchased or redeemed by FINV (plus any expenses related thereto) and upon such other terms as are the same for the FINV Common Shares being repurchased or redeemed by FINV. |
e. |
As a result of the foregoing paragraphs a, b, c, and d at all times (i) the collective Percentage Interest of FIM, FILP and any other subsidiary of FINV contemplated above will equal the percentage of the total number of shares of outstanding FINV Common Shares and FINV A Shares that |
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constitutes FINV Common Shares and (ii) the Percentage Interest of MH will equal the percentage of the total number of shares of outstanding FINV Common Shares and FINV A Shares that constitutes FINV A Shares. |
4.6 | The Managing Partner shall hold legal title to the assets of the C.V., including the assets contributed by the Partners. The Managing Partner shall hold title to such assets for the risk and account of the C.V. and the beneficial ownership in such assets shall be vested in the C.V., under the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. If the Managing Partner is replaced, it shall immediately cause title to the assets to be transferred to its successor. The Managing Partner shall be authorized to transfer title to the assets of the C.V. to a legal entity, controlled by the Managing Partner, provided that such legal entity shall have as sole purpose the holding of assets for and on behalf of the C.V. |
5. | Appointment, dismissal and authority of the Managing Partner |
5.1 | The General Partner shall be the Managing Partner. The business and affairs of the C.V. shall be managed by the Managing Partner consistent with this Agreement. Subject to the express limitations contained in this Agreement, the Managing Partner shall have complete and absolute control of the affairs and business of the C.V., and shall possess all powers necessary, convenient or appropriate to carrying out the purposes and business of the C.V., including, without limitation, doing all things and taking all actions necessary to carry out the terms and provisions of this Agreement. Subject to the rights and powers of the Managing Partner and the limitations contained herein, the Managing Partner may delegate to any person, other than a Limited Partner, any or all of its powers, rights and obligations under this Agreement and may appoint, contract or otherwise deal with any person to perform any acts or services for the C.V. as the Managing Partner may reasonably determine. The Managing Partner is specifically authorized to execute and sign in the name of and on behalf of the C.V. any and all agreements, certificates, instruments or other documents requisite to carrying out the intentions and purposes of this Agreement and of the C.V. |
5.2 | No Partner other than the Managing Partner shall be entitled to perform any act of management on behalf of the C.V. or have any authority to represent the C.V. vis-à-vis third parties. |
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5.3 | The Managing Partner shall owe the same duties to the C.V. and the Partners as a member of the board of directors of FINV owes to FINV and its shareholders. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, nothing contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to constitute any Partner an agent or legal representative of any other Partner or to create any fiduciary relationship for any purpose whatsoever, apart from such obligations between partners in a limited partnership formed under the laws of the Netherlands as may be created by applicable law. The Managing Partner shall not have any authority to act for, or to assume any obligation or responsibility on behalf of, any other Partner. |
5.4 | Except as provided by Article 3.2, Article 4.2 and Article 12 of this Agreement or by applicable law, the Managing Partner shall not require the prior approval of the Partners in relation to any action permitted by the terms of this Agreement. |
5.5 | The C.V. shall reimburse the Managing Partner for all costs and expenses incurred by the Managing Partner that are directly attributable to the operation of the C.V., including costs for engaging third parties such as consultants, attorneys and accountants. |
5.6 | The C.V. shall reimburse FINV for all of its general, administrative, overhead and other indirect costs and expenses, including (a) those costs and expenses attributable to operating as a publicly traded company, (b) costs of securities offerings, (c) board of directors compensation and meeting costs, (d) costs of periodic reports to shareholders, (e) litigation costs and damages arising from litigation, (f) accounting and legal costs and (g) franchise taxes. |
6. | Financial year and annual accounts |
6.1 | The financial year of the C.V. will coincide with the calendar year; provided that for United States federal income tax purposes the C.V. will have a tax year ending on June 30. |
6.2 | Within five months after the end of the financial year, or after termination of the C.V., the Managing Partner will draw up the (annual) accounts of the C.V. consisting of a balance sheet and a profit and loss account with explanatory notes thereon. The annual accounts of the C.V. shall be prepared in the English language and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, as determined by the Managing Partner. The annual accounts shall within said period of five months be submitted to the Partners for approval. |
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6.3 | The C.V. shall prepare and timely file all tax returns required to be filed by the C.V., including all applicable U.S. tax returns. Each Partner shall furnish to the C.V. all pertinent information in its possession relating to the C.Vs operations that is necessary to enable the C.V.s tax returns to be timely prepared and filed. With respect to the U.S. Form 1065, the C.V. shall deliver to each Member within 90 calendar days after the end of the applicable tax year, a Schedule K-1 together with such additional information as may be required by the Partners in order to file their individual returns reflecting the C.V.s operations. The C.V. shall bear the costs of the preparation and filing of its tax returns. |
7. | Profits and Losses; Distributions |
7.1 | Except as otherwise provided in Exhibit A relating to allocations for United States income tax purposes, profits and losses (and all items of income, gain, loss and deduction) shall be allocated among the Partners in accordance with their Percentage Interests. |
7.2 | The Limited Partner(s) will not be obliged to make any additional contributions to the C.V. to the C.V. for any reason. |
7.3 | Distributions. |
7.3.1 | To the extent permitted by applicable law and hereunder, distributions to Partners may be declared by the Managing Partner out of legally available funds in such amounts and on such terms (including the payment dates of such distributions) as the Managing Partner shall determine using such record date as the Managing Partner may designate; such distribution shall be made to the Partners as of the close of business on such record date on a pro rata basis in accordance with their Percentage Interests as of the close of business on such record date. |
Distributions on a non pro rata basis may be declared subject to the approvals required by Article 12.
7.3.2 |
To the extent permitted by applicable law and to any restrictions contained in any agreement to which the C.V. is bound prior to making distributions pursuant to Article 7.3.1, on each |
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Tax Distribution Date the C.V. shall, subject to the availability of funds, distribute to the Partners in accordance with their Percentage Interests in cash an amount sufficient to cause each Partner to receive an amount at least equal to such Partners Assumed Tax Liability, if any. Tax Distribution Date means any date that is two business days prior to the date on which estimated United States income tax payments are required to be made by calendar year individual taxpayers and each due date for the United States income tax return of an individual calendar year taxpayer (without regard to extensions) or such other dates as selected by the Managing Partner. Assumed Tax Liability of each Partner means an amount equal to (i) the amount of income taxes (including tax under section 1411 and any applicable estimated taxes), determined taking into account the character of income and loss allocated as it affects the applicable tax rate, that the Managing Partner estimates would be due from such Partner on such Tax Distribution Date, (x) assuming such Partner were an individual resident of the State of Louisiana who earned solely the items of income, gain, deduction, loss, and/or credit allocated to such Partner by the C.V., (y) after taking proper account of loss carryforwards available to individual taxpayers resulting from losses allocated to the Partners by the C.V. (including allocations provided for in Section A-5(b) of Exhibit A), to the extent not taken into account in prior periods, and (z) assuming that such Partner is subject to tax at the highest applicable rate, reduced by (ii) all other distributions made to such Partner in respect of the period for which the Assumed Tax Liability is calculated. |
7.3.3 | Withholding. |
The C.V. may withhold distributions or portions thereof if it is required to do so by any applicable rule, regulation or law, and each Partner hereby authorizes the C.V. to withhold from and pay on behalf of or with respect to such Partner any amount of taxes that the Managing Partner determines that the C.V. is required to withhold and pay with respect to any amount distributable or allocable to such Partner pursuant to this Agreement. Except with respect to amounts that a Partner contributes to the C.V. upon the request of the Managing Partner, any amounts withheld pursuant to this Section 7.3.3 shall be treated as having been distributed to such Partner for all purposes of this Agreement at the time such withholding is made. To the extent that the cumulative amount of such withholding for any period exceeds the distributions to which such Partner is entitled for such period, the amount of such excess shall be considered a loan from the C.V. to such Partner, with interest accruing at the primary rate of interest then publicly quoted by JPMorgan Chase Bank or at the request of the Managing Partner, the amount of such excess shall be promptly paid to the
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C.V. by the Partner on whose behalf such withholding is required to be made, provided that any such payment shall not be treated as a Capital Contribution and shall not reduce the amount that a Partner is otherwise obligated to contribute to the C.V. Any income from any deemed loan shall not be allocated to or distributed to the Partner requiring such loan. Any such loan shall be satisfied out of distributions to which such Partner would otherwise be subsequently entitled until such time as the Managing Partner requests that the Partner pay such amount to the C.V. Each Partner hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the C.V., the other Partners and the Managing Partner from and against any liability (including any liability for taxes, penalties, additions to tax or interest) with respect to income attributable to or distributions or other payments to such Partner.
8. | Retirement, continuation and termination |
8.1 | A Partner shall retire: |
a. | if the Partner (legal entity) is dissolved; |
b. | if the Partners bankruptcy becomes irrevocable; |
c. | if the Partner applies for a moratorium of payments; |
d. | if Article 1684, Book 7A of the Dutch Civil Code (severe reason) applies to an individual Partner, as a result of which its membership terminates. |
8.2 | If any Partner retires pursuant to any of the events specified in Article 8.1, the Partners receiving the termination notice, or the Partners who are not subject to any of the events specified in Article 8.1(a-c), or the Partners to which Article 1684, Book 7A, Dutch Civil Code does not apply - hereafter referred to as the Remaining Partners - shall continue the affairs of the C.V. for their own account and under the same name, unless they have notified their former co-partner - hereafter the Resigning Partner - within one month of the latters resignation that they have elected not to continue the affairs of the C.V., in which case the C.V. shall be dissolved in accordance with Article 8.7. |
If the C.V.s affairs are not terminated, the provisions governing this limited partnership may be amended to reflect the new legal relationship, which has arisen between the Remaining Partners (and any newly admitted Partners).
8.3 |
If a Partner retires and the Remaining Partners have not elected to terminate the C.V., then the Remaining Partner(s) shall be under a duty to take over the Resigning Partners rights in |
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the assets belonging to the C.V., and shall also assume all liabilities of the Resigning Partner towards the C.V., and pay the Resigning Partner the sum specified in Article 8.4. In deviation of the previous sentence, the Parties may also resolve that the Resigning Partner shall receive the Resigning Partners Percentage Interest of all assets of the C.V., provided that he/she assumes a pro rata portion of the liabilities of the C.V. |
8.4 | The sum referred to Article 8.3 shall be equivalent to the product of the Resigning Partners Percentage Interest multiplied by the net fair market value of the C.V.s assets. |
Unless the parties make deviating arrangements, any valuations required for determining the sum of money to be paid to the Resigning Partner shall be carried out by three experts, whose valuations shall be binding upon all parties. The expert(s) shall be appointed by the parties in mutual consultation.
8.5 | The sum referred to above shall be paid to the Resigning Partner not later than one year after the first day of the month following the month of resignation. |
8.6 | If a Partner other than the Resigning Partner has no wish to continue the C.V. and notifies the other Partners within the one month period referred to in Article 8.2, such Partner shall be deemed to retire at the same time as the Resigning Partner and such Partner shall also be considered a Resigning Partner for the purposes of this Article. |
8.7 | The C.V. shall be terminated upon the occurrence of any of the following events: |
a. | the Partners unanimously elect to terminate the C.V.; |
b. | any Partner retires and none of the other Partners wishes to continue the affairs of the C.V. in accordance with Article 8.2; |
c. | if Article 1684, Book 7A of the Dutch Civil Code applies to the entire C.V. |
8.8 | Upon the termination of the C.V., the C.V.s affairs shall be liquidated as soon as possible by the Managing Partner or another liquidator to be appointed by the Managing Partner. |
8.9 | The liquidator shall prepare the liquidation accounts of the C.V. in order to reflect the entitlement of each Partner calculated in accordance with Article 8.4. |
Article 6 shall similarly apply to the approval of the liquidation accounts.
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8.10 | After payment of all creditors of the C.V., the remaining assets of the C.V. following its termination shall be distributed to the Partners whereby each of the Partners shall be entitled to distributions in proportion to each Partners Percentage Interest as per the date of termination of the C.V. The Managing Partner shall in its sole discretion determine how the cash and other assets will be distributed to the each of those Partners and the Managing Partner will in its sole discretion determine the other details. |
8.11 | If there is any liquidation deficit, such deficit shall be entirely borne by the General Partner. The Limited Partner(s) shall not have any obligation to make any additional contributions for the covering of debts of the C.V. |
8.12 | Any payments to be made to the Partners in connection with the liquidation of the C.V. shall be made within one month from the date on which the liquidation accounts are established. |
Any payments to be made by the General Partner to cover any liquidation deficit pursuant to Article 8.11 shall be made within one month from the date on which the liquidation accounts are established.
8.13 | The books and records of the C.V. shall remain in the custody of the liquidator unless the former Partners determine otherwise. |
9. | Voting rights and decision making |
9.1 | Each Partner is entitled to cast one vote. Unless stated otherwise herein, all decisions to be taken by the Partners pursuant to this Agreement shall be adopted by a simple majority of the votes cast. |
9.2 | Each Partner shall appoint a natural person or legal entity to exclusively represent it in all matters regarding the C.V. Such appointment shall be valid, until a replacement is notified to the C.V. in accordance with Article 15. |
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10. | Access to records and accounts |
The Partners or any of their respective designated representatives, in person or by attorney or other agent, shall, upon written demand stating the purpose thereof, have the right during the usual hours for business to inspect for any proper purpose any of the books or records of the C.V.; provided, that for purposes of this sentence, a proper purpose shall mean any purpose reasonably related to such persons interest as a Partner. In every instance where an attorney or other agent shall be the person who seeks the right to inspection, the demand shall be accompanied by a power of attorney or such other writing that authorizes the attorney or other agent to so act on behalf of the Partner. The demand shall be directed to the C.V. at its registered office or at its principal place of business.
11. | Confidentiality |
11.1 | The C.V. shall not, nor shall it permit any subsidiary to, disclose any Partners name or identity as an investor in the C.V. in any press release or other public announcement or in any document or material filed with any governmental entity, without the prior written consent of such Partner, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, unless such disclosure is otherwise required by applicable law or by any regulatory or self-regulatory organization having jurisdiction or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction, in which case (except with respect to disclosure that is required in connection with the filing of federal, state and local tax returns) prior to making such disclosure the C.V. shall give written notice to such Partner describing in reasonable detail the proposed content of such disclosure and shall permit such Partner to review and comment upon the form and substance of such disclosure and allow such Partner to seek confidential treatment therefor. |
11.2 |
Each Partner expressly agrees to maintain, for so long as such person is a Partner and for two (2) years thereafter, the confidentiality of, and not to disclose to any person other than the C.V. (and any successor of the C.V. or any person acquiring (whether by merger, consolidation, sale, exchange or otherwise) all or a material portion of the assets or interests of the C.V. or any of its subsidiaries), another Partner or a person designated by the C.V. or any of their respective financial planners, accountants, attorneys or other advisors, any information relating to the business (current or proposed), financial structure, financial position or financial results, clients or affairs of the C.V. or any of its subsidiaries that shall not be generally known to the public, except (i) as otherwise required by applicable law or by any regulatory or self-regulatory organization having jurisdiction or by order of a court of |
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competent jurisdiction, in which case (except with respect to disclosure that is required in connection with the filing of federal, state and local tax returns or by any regulatory or self-regulatory organization) prior to making such disclosure such Partner shall give written notice to the C.V. describing in reasonable detail the proposed content of such disclosure and shall permit the C.V. to review and comment upon the form and substance of such disclosure and allow the C.V. to seek confidential treatment therefor, and (ii) in the case of any Partner who is employed by the C.V. or any of its subsidiaries, in the ordinary course of his or her duties to the C.V. or any of its subsidiaries; provided, however, that a Partner may report to its stockholders, limited partners, members or other owners, as the case may be, regarding the general status of its investment in the C.V. (without disclosing specific confidential information). |
12. | Admission and Substitution of Partners; Participation in and by Other Partnerships |
12.1 | a. | The sale, transfer, exchange, assignment, gift, right of usufruct or other disposition, including but not limited to a disposition pursuant to a legal merger, legal division, dissolution or liquidation, whether voluntary or involuntary of all or any part of a Partners economic or legal interest in the C.V. shall require the prior written consent of all of the Partners. Such consent may be granted or withheld by each of them in their sole and absolute discretion. |
b. | The admission and/or substitution of a Limited Partner shall require the prior written consent of all of the Partners. Admission or substitution of a Partner, a partner (limited or general partner) of such Partner (Upper-tier Partner) or a Lower-tier Partner (to be defined below) as referred to in this Article shall include proposed capital contributions and repayments of capital contributions, including the retirement of a Partner as referred to in article 8 of this Agreement, Upper-tier Partner or Lower-tier Partner, on a non pro rata basis, and any transfers of interests in the C.V. among Partners, including redetermination of Percentage Interests as referred to in Article 4.4. |
c. | In case a Partner is a transparent entity according to Dutch tax principles, any admission and/or substitution of a Limited Partner shall in addition require the prior written consent of all of the Upper-tier Partners. |
d. | In case a Limited Partner is a transparent entity according to Dutch tax principles, any admission and/or substitution of an Upper-tier Partner shall require the prior written consent of all of the Partners and all of the Upper-tier Partners. |
e. | If C.V. has become a partner of another entity which is a transparent entity according to Dutch tax principles, any admission and/or substitution of a Limited Partner shall in addition require the prior written consent of all of the partners (limited partners and general partners) of such entity (Lower-tier Partners). |
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12.2 | In case the C.V. wishes to become a partner (whether a limited partner or a general partner) of another entity which is a transparent entity according to Dutch tax principles, or in case another entity which is a transparent entity according to Dutch tax principles wishes to become a partner in the C.V., such other entitys partnership agreement, statute, articles, bylaws or other governing document or agreement, whichever applies, has to contain provisions similar to Article 12.1 and this Article 12.2. |
12.3 | Any admission or substitution without the unanimous prior written consents required under this Article 12.1 shall be null and void. |
12.4 | Any admission or substitution of a Partner, an Upper-tier Partner or a Lower-tier Partner does not cause the C.V. to terminate or to dissolve. |
13. | Limited liability of Partner(s); Investment Opportunities; Performance of Duties; Conflicts of Interest |
13.1 | The Limited Partner(s) shall have no liability with respect to the debts of or the claims against the C.V.; each Limited Partner shall only be liable to make its agreed capital contributions. |
13.2 | Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, a Partner may, but shall not be obligated to, lend money to the C.V., act as a surety or guarantor for the C.V., or transact other business with the C.V., and has the same rights and obligations when transacting business with the C.V. as a person or entity who is not a Partner. |
13.3 |
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the doctrine of corporate opportunity, or any analogous doctrine, shall not apply to the Partners, and any of their respective affiliates and any of their respective officers, directors, agents, shareholders, members, partners, affiliates and subsidiaries (other than the C.V. and its subsidiaries) (each, a Business |
19
Opportunity Exempt Party). The C.V. renounces any interest or expectancy of the C.V. in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, business opportunities that are from time to time presented to any Business Opportunity Exempt Party. No Business Opportunity Exempt Party who acquires knowledge of a potential transaction, agreement, arrangement or other matter that may be an opportunity for the C.V. shall have any duty to communicate or offer such opportunity to the C.V. No amendment or repeal of this Article 13.3 shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any Business Opportunity Exempt Party for or with respect to any opportunities of which any such Business Opportunity Exempt Party becomes aware prior to such amendment or repeal. Any Person purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any FINV shares or interests in the C.V. shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article 13.3. Neither the alteration, amendment or repeal of this Article 13.3, nor the adoption of any provision inconsistent with this Article 13.3, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Article 13.3 in respect of any business opportunity first identified or any other matter occurring, or any cause of action, suit or claim that, but for this Article 13.3, would accrue or arise, prior to such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Business Opportunity Exempt Party who is a director or officer of the Managing Partner and who is offered a business opportunity of the Managing Partner reasonably determined by the party receiving the opportunity to be expressly in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Managing Partner shall be obligated to communicate and offer such business opportunity to the Managing Partner and the Managing Partner and the C.V. do not renounce any such opportunity. Nothing this Article 13.3 shall limit the confidentiality obligations set forth in Article 11 or any fiduciary obligations of the directors of the Managing Partner. |
13.4 | In performing its, his or her duties, each of the Partners shall be entitled to rely in good faith on the provisions of this Agreement and on information, opinions, reports or statements (including financial statements and information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value or amount of the assets, liabilities, profits or losses of the C.V. and its subsidiaries), of the following other Persons or groups: (i) one or more officers or employees of such Partner or the C.V. or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) any attorney, independent accountant or other Person employed or engaged by such Partner or the C.V. or any of its subsidiaries, or (iii) any other Person who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of such Partner or the C.V. or any of its subsidiaries, in each case, as to matters which such relying Person reasonably believes to be within such other Persons professional or expert competence. |
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14. | Indemnification |
14.1 | To the fullest extent permissible by law, the C.V. shall indemnify and reimburse for, and hold harmless against, each of the Limited Partners, the Managing Partner and their respective affiliates and the stockholders, members, managers, directors, officers, partners, employees and agents of the Partners, the Managing Partner and their respective affiliates (collectively, the Indemnified Persons): |
a. | any and all liabilities, claims, judgments, fines and penalties (collectively, the Claims) incurred by an Indemnified Person as a result of any expected, threatened, pending or completed action, investigation or other proceeding, whether civil, criminal or administrative (each a Legal Action) in relation to any act or omission in or related to his or her capacity as Indemnified Person; and |
b. | any expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees and litigation costs) (collectively, Expenses) incurred by an Indemnified Person in connection with any Legal Action. |
14.2 | An Indemnified Person will not be held harmless, indemnified and reimbursed as referred to above in paragraph 1, if and to the extent: |
a. | a Dutch court has made a final and binding judgment that the act or omission of the Indemnified Person can be characterized as willful misconduct ( opzet ), willful recklessness ( bewuste roekeloosheid ) or serious culpability ( ernstig verwijt ); and/or |
b. | the costs or the loss of the Indemnified Person is covered by insurance and the insurer has compensated him or her for the costs or loss. |
14.3 | When a Dutch court has made a final and binding judgment that an Indemnified Person has no claim to the indemnification as referred to above in paragraph 1, the Indemnified Person shall immediately repay to the C.V. any amount of indemnification it received from the company. The C.V. can demand surety for the repayment obligation of the concerned party. |
14.4 | The company shall use all its reasonable endeavors to provide for, and shall bear the cost of, insurance covering Claims against, and Expenses incurred by, the Indemnified Persons in connection with any Legal Action. |
14.5 |
The C.V. may enter into agreements with the Managing Partner to provide for indemnification consistent with the terms and conditions set forth in this Article 14. Unless |
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otherwise agreed by the Managing Partner, the C.V. shall maintain insurance, at its expense, on its own behalf and on behalf of the Indemnified Persons against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, whether or not the C.V. would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under this Article 14. |
14.6 | Expenses incurred by an Indemnified Person in defending a Proceeding shall be paid by the C.V. in advance of such Proceedings final disposition upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnified Person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the C.V. Such expenses incurred by other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the Managing Partner deems appropriate. The indemnification and advancement of expenses set forth in this Article 14 shall continue as to an Indemnified Person who has ceased to be a named Indemnified Person and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, administrators, successors and permitted assigns of such a person. |
14.7 | Persons who are not covered by the foregoing provisions of this Article 14 and who are or were partners, employees or agents of the C.V., or who are or were serving at the request of the C.V. as employees or agents of another limited liability company, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, may be indemnified to the extent authorized at any time or from time to time by the Managing Partner. |
14.8 | The provisions of this Article 14 shall be deemed to be a contract right between the C.V. and each person who serves in such capacity at any time while this Article 14 and the relevant provisions of applicable law are in effect, and any repeal or modification of this Article 14 or any such law shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing with respect to any state of facts or Proceeding then existing. The indemnification and other rights provided for in this Article 14 shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of any Indemnified Person. Except as provided in Article 14, the C.V. shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a Proceeding initiated by such person only if such Proceeding was authorized by the Managing Partner. |
14.9 |
For purposes of this Article 14, references to the C.V. shall include, in addition to the resulting company, any constituent company (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its managers, directors, officers, employees or |
22
agents, so that any Person who is or was a manager, director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent company, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this Article 14 with respect to the resulting or surviving company as he or she would have with respect to such constituent company if its separate existence had continued. For purposes of this Article 14, references to other enterprises shall include employee benefit plans; references to fines shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to serving at the request of the C.V. shall include any service as a manager, officer, employee or agent of the C.V. that imposes duties on, or involves services by, such manager, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner not opposed to the best interests of the C.V. as referred to in this Article 14. |
14.10 | Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, any indemnity by the C.V. relating to the matters covered in this Article 14 shall be provided out of and to the extent of C.V. assets only and no Partner (unless such Partner otherwise agrees in writing or is found in a final decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have personal liability on account thereof) shall have personal liability on account thereof or shall be required to make additional contributions to help satisfy such indemnity of the C.V. |
15. | Notices |
The notices given pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be sufficiently given if delivered by hand (or sent by first class mail) to the recipient at the address set out below. Any notice sent by hand shall be deemed effective at the time of receipt; any notice sent by mail shall be deemed effective seven days after the date on which it was sent.
to FIM:
Franks International Management B.V.
Attn. Managing Director
Prins Bernhardplein 200
1097 JB Amsterdam
The Netherlands
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to FILP:
Franks International LP B.V.
Attn. Managing Director
Prins Bernhardplein 200
1097 JB Amsterdam
The Netherlands
to MH:
Mosing Holdings, Inc.
Attn. President
10260 Westheimer Rd
Houston, Texas 77042
United States of America
16. | Miscellaneous |
16.1 | Article headings are inserted in this Agreement for case of reference only and do not form a part of this Agreement for the purposes of interpretation. |
16.2 | If any part of this Agreement becomes invalid or unenforceable the parties shall endeavor to agree to such amendment, which shall, as far as possible, effect the intentions expressed herein. In default of such agreement, the invalidity of such provision shall not affect the other provisions of this Agreement and all provisions not affected by the invalidity shall remain in full force and effect. |
16.3 | The authentic language of this Agreement shall be the English language and all notices, reports and other communications hereunder shall be in English. |
16.4 | No provision of this Agreement may be amended or waiver without the unanimous prior written consent of the Partners. |
24
17. | Governing law and settlement of disputes |
17.1 | This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the Netherlands. |
17.2 | The parties hereto shall use their best endeavors to settle any possible disputes in an amicable way. In the event conciliation fails, all disputes arising in connection with this Agreement or further agreements resulting thereof, shall be finally settled by the Court of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. |
25
IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Agreement was executed in threefold by the parties hereto on the day and year first above written.
Franks International Management B.V. | ||||||||
By: | Donald Keith Mosing | |||||||
Title: | Managing director | |||||||
Signature: |
/s/ Donald Keith Mosing |
|||||||
Franks International LP B.V. | ||||||||
By: | Donald Keith Mosing | |||||||
Title: | Managing director A | |||||||
Signature: |
/s/ Donald Keith Mosing |
|||||||
By: | Intertrust (Netherlands) B.V. | |||||||
Title: | Managing director B | |||||||
Signature: |
/s/ D.J. Jaarsma |
Signature: |
/s/ S. Strijbosch |
|||||
Name: | D.J. Jaarsma | Name: | S. Strijbosch | |||||
Title: | Proxy holder | Title: | Proxy holder |
Mosing Holdings, Inc. | ||
By: | Donald Keith Mosing | |
Title: | President | |
Signature: |
/s/ Donald Keith Mosing |
EXHIBIT A
United States Tax Provisions
This Exhibit A reflects the agreement of the Partners regarding certain UNITED STATES TAX MATTERS , including that for United States federal income tax purposes, the C.V. shall maintain a capital account for each Partner and shall allocate all items of the C.V.s income, gain, loss and deduction as provided for in this Exhibit A.
A-1. Definitions . Capitalized words and phrases used in this Exhibit A have the respective meanings ascribed to them in Amendment No. 4 to The Limited Partnership Agreement of Franks International C.V. dated effective August 14, 2013 (the Agreement) except as otherwise provided below. As used in this Exhibit A, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
Adjusted Capital Account means the capital account maintained for each Partner, (a) increased by any amounts that such Partner is obligated to restore or is treated as obligated to restore under Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c), 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5)), and (b) decreased by any amounts described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) and (6) with respect to such Partner. The foregoing definition of Adjusted Capital Account is intended to comply with the provisions of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and 1.704-2 and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
Allocation Period means the period (a) commencing on the date hereof or, for any Allocation Period other than such first Allocation Period, the day following the end of a prior Allocation Period and (b) ending (A) on the last day of each Fiscal Year, (B) on the day preceding any day in which an adjustment to the Book Value of the C.V.s properties pursuant to clause (b)(i), (ii), (iii) or (v) of the definition of Book Value occurs, (C) immediately after any day in which an adjustment to the Book Value of the C.V.s properties pursuant to clause (b)(iv) of the definition of Book Value occurs, or (D) on any other date determined by the Managing Partner.
Book Value means, with respect to any property or Obligation of the C.V., such propertys adjusted basis or such Obligations adjusted issue price for U.S. federal income tax purposes, except as follows:
(a) The initial Book Value of any property contributed by a Partner to the C.V. shall be the fair market value of such property as determined by the Managing Partner as of the date of such contribution.
(b) The initial Book Value of any Obligation assumed, or taken subject to, by the C.V. from a Partner in connection with a contribution to the C.V. subject to Code Section 721 shall be the Gross Liability Value of such Obligation as determined by the Managing Partner as of the date of such assumption or taking subject to.
(c) The Book Values of all properties shall be adjusted to equal their respective fair market values as determined by the Managing Partner in connection with (i) the acquisition of an interest (or additional interest) in the C.V. by any new or existing Partner in exchange for more than a de minimis Capital Contribution to the C.V. or in exchange for the performance of more than a de minimis amount of services to or for the benefit of the C.V., (ii) the distribution by the C.V. to a Partner of more than a de minimis amount of property as consideration for an interest in the C.V., (iii) the liquidation of the C.V., including within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g)(1) (other than pursuant to Code Section 708(b)(1)(B)), or (iv) any other event to the extent determined by the Managing Partner to be permitted and necessary to properly reflect Book Values in accordance with the standards set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(q); provided that adjustments pursuant to clauses (i), (ii) and (iv) above shall be made only if the Managing Partner reasonably determines that such adjustments are necessary or appropriate to reflect the relative economic interests of the Partners in the C.V.
(d) The Book Value of property distributed to a Partner shall be adjusted immediately prior to the distribution to equal the fair market value of such property as determined by the Managing Partner as of the date of such distribution and the Book Value of any Obligation of the C.V. that is assumed, or taken subject to, by a Partner in connection with a distribution of property to the Partner in a transaction subject to Code Section 731 shall be adjusted immediately prior thereto to equal the Gross Liability Value of such Obligation as of the date it is assumed or taken subject to by such Partner.
(e) The Book Value of all property shall be increased (or decreased) to reflect any adjustments to the adjusted basis of such property pursuant to Code Section 734(b) or Code Section 743(b), but only to the extent that such adjustments are taken into account in determining capital accounts pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m) and clause (f) of the definition of Profits or Losses or Section A-4(h); provided, however, that the Book Value of property shall not be adjusted pursuant to this clause (e) to the extent that the Managing Partner reasonably determines an adjustment pursuant to clause (c) is necessary or appropriate in connection with a transaction that would otherwise result in an adjustment pursuant to this clause (e).
(f) The Book Value of each Obligation of the C.V. shall be adjusted to equal the obligations Gross Liability Value as determined by the Managing Partner at such times as an adjustment to the Book Value of property of the C.V. is made pursuant to clause (c) hereof.
(g) If the Book Value of property has been determined or adjusted pursuant to clauses (a), (c) or (e) hereof, such Book Value shall thereafter be adjusted by the Depreciation taken into account with respect to such property for purposes of computing Profits and Losses and other items allocated pursuant hereto.
(h) If the Book Value of an Obligation of the C.V. has been determined or adjusted pursuant to clauses (b) or (f) hereof, such Book Value shall thereafter be adjusted based on the method adopted under subparagraph (g) of the definition of Profits and Losses to determine the extent to which the Book Value of such Obligation is treated as satisfied or otherwise taken into account.
Capital Contribution means, with respect to any Partner, the amount of money, and the initial Book Value of any property contributed to the C.V. by such Partner, in accordance with Article IV ; provided that any deemed contribution pursuant to Article 4.4(b)(i) shall not be treated as a Capital Contribution for purposes of determining the Partners capital accounts and instead the revaluation of the property and Obligations of the C.V. pursuant to the definition of Book Value and the resulting adjustment of the Partners capital accounts hereunder shall be made in a manner consistent with the provisions of Article 4.4(b)(i). Any reference to the Capital Contributions of a Partner will include the Capital Contributions made by a predecessor holder of such Partners interest in the C.V. to the extent the Capital Contribution was made in respect of interest in the C.V. Transferred to such Partner.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time (or any corresponding provisions of succeeding law.)
Depreciation means, for each Allocation Period an amount equal to the depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deduction allowable for U.S. federal income tax purposes with respect to property for such Allocation Period, except that (a) with respect to any such property the Book Value of which differs from its adjusted tax basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes and which difference is being eliminated by use of the traditional method with curative allocations pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3(d), Depreciation for such Allocation Period shall be the amount of book basis recovered for such Allocation Period under the rules prescribed by Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3(c), and (b) with respect to any other such property the Book Value of which differs from its adjusted tax basis at the beginning of such Allocation Period, Depreciation shall
be an amount which bears the same ratio to such beginning Book Value as the U.S. federal income tax depreciation, amortization, or other cost recovery deduction for such Allocation Period bears to such beginning adjusted tax basis; provided that if the adjusted tax basis of any property at the beginning of such Allocation Period is zero dollars ($0.00), Depreciation with respect to such property shall be determined with reference to such beginning value using any reasonable method selected by the Managing Partner.
Economic Risk of Loss has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-2(a).
Fiscal Year means the fiscal year of the C.V. which shall end on December 31 of each calendar year unless, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, another fiscal year is required. The C.V. shall have the same fiscal year for U.S. federal income tax purposes and for accounting purposes.
Gross Liability Value means, with respect to any Obligation of the C.V., the amount of cash that a willing assignor would pay to a willing assignee to assume such Obligation in an arms-length transaction.
Minimum Gain has the meaning assigned to that term in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(d).
Nonrecourse Deduction has the meaning assigned to that term in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b).
Obligation has the meaning assigned to that term in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-1(a)(4)(ii).
Partner Nonrecourse Debt has the meaning assigned to the term partner nonrecourse debt in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b)(4).
Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain has the meaning assigned to the term partner nonrecourse debt minimum gain in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(2).
Partner Nonrecourse Deduction has the meaning assigned to the term partner nonrecourse deduction in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(1).
Profits or Losses means, for each Allocation Period, an amount equal to the C.V.s taxable income or loss for such period as computed for U.S. federal income tax purposes, determined in accordance with Code Section 703(a) (for this purpose, all items of income, gain, loss, or deduction required to be stated separately pursuant to Code Section 703(a)(1) shall be included in taxable income or loss), with the following adjustments (without duplication):
(a) Any income of the C.V. that is exempt from U.S. federal income tax and not otherwise taken into account in computing Profits and Losses pursuant to this definition of Profits and Losses shall be added to such taxable income or loss;
(b) Any expenditures of the C.V. described in Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) or treated as Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) expenditures pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i), and not otherwise taken into account in computing Profits or Losses pursuant to this definition of Profits and Losses, shall be subtracted from such taxable income or loss;
(c) In the event the Book Value of any asset is adjusted pursuant to clause (c) or clause (d) of the definition of Book Value, the amount of such adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the Book Value of the asset) or an item of loss (if the adjustment decreases the Book Value of the asset) from the disposition of such asset and shall, except to the extent allocated pursuant to Section A-4, be taken into account for purposes of computing Profits or Losses;
(d) In the event the Book Value of any Obligation is adjusted pursuant to clause (d) or clause (f) of the definition of Book Value, the amount of such adjustment shall be treated for purposes hereof as an item of loss (if the adjustment increases the Book Value of such Obligation) or an item of gain (if the adjustment decreases the Book Value of such Obligation);
(e) Gain or loss resulting from any disposition of property with respect to which gain or loss is recognized for U.S. federal income tax purposes shall be computed by reference to the Book Value of the property disposed of, notwithstanding that the adjusted tax basis of such property differs from its Book Value;
(f) In lieu of the depreciation, amortization, and other cost recovery deductions taken into account in computing such taxable income or loss, there shall be taken into account Depreciation;
(g) In determining Profits and Losses, income, gain, deduction or loss resulting from the satisfaction of, or accrual for federal income tax purposes of items with respect to, an Obligation of the C.V. with a Book Value that differs from its adjusted issue price (if any) shall be computed by reference to the Book Value of such Obligation, with the extent to which the Book Value of such Obligation is treated as satisfied or otherwise taken into account being determined under any reasonable method adopted by the Managing Partner;
(h) To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any asset pursuant to Code Section 734(b) is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4), to be taken into account in determining capital account balances as a result of a distribution other than in liquidation of a Partners interest in the C.V., the amount of such adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or an item of loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis) from the disposition of such asset and shall be taken into account for purposes of computing Profits or Losses; and
(i) Any items that are allocated pursuant to Section A-4 shall not be taken into account in computing Profits and Losses, but such items available to be specially allocated pursuant to Section A-4 will be determined by applying rules analogous to those set forth in subparagraphs (a) through (g) above.
Treasury Regulations means the income tax regulations promulgated under the Code, as they may be amended from time to time.
A-2. Capital Accounts . A capital account shall be established and maintained for each Partner in accordance with the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). Each Partners capital account (a) shall be increased by (i) the amount of money contributed by such Partner to the C.V., (ii) the Book Value of property contributed by such Partner to the C.V. (net of the Gross Liability Value of any Obligations secured by the contributed property that the C.V. is considered to assume or take subject to under Code Section 752 or would be considered to have assumed or taken subject to for purposes of Code Section 752 if such Obligation were a liability for purposes of Code Section 752), (iii) allocations to such Partner of Profits and any other items of income or gain allocated to such Partner, and (iv) the Gross Liability Value of any Obligation assumed (or deemed assumed) by the Partner that would not otherwise be taken into account under subparagraph (b)(iii) of this Section A-2 and (b) shall be decreased by (i) the amount of money distributed to such Partner by the C.V., (ii) the Gross Liability Value of any Obligation assumed (or deemed assumed) by the C.V. that would not otherwise be taken into account under subparagraph (a)(ii) of this Section A-2, (iii) the Book Value of property distributed to such Partner by the C.V. (net of the Gross Liability Value of any Obligations secured by the distributed property that such Partner is considered to assume or take subject to under Code Section 752 or would be considered to have assumed or taken subject to for
purposes of Code Section 752 if such Obligation were a liability for purposes of Code Section 752), and (iv) allocations to such Partner of Losses and any other items of loss or deduction allocated to such Partner. The Partners agree that the initial capital account balances of each Partner shall be in the amount as set forth in Exhibit B. On the transfer of all or part of a Partners interest in the C.V., the capital account of the transferor that is attributable to the transferred interest in the C.V. shall carry over to the transferee Partner in accordance with the provisions of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(l). For purposes of this Section A-2, in connection with the contribution or distribution of an interest in an entity that is disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes, liabilities of such entity shall be treated as secured by the property of that entity. For purposes of determining each partners capital account in connection with an offering of stock by FINV, the principles set forth in Section 4.4(b) of the Agreement shall apply. As set forth in Article 4.5(b) of the Agreement, in connection with the issuance of stock in FINV to an employee or other service provider for services rendered to or for the benefit of FICV, that section shall apply for the purposes of maintaining capital accounts.
A-3. Allocations of Profits and Losses . After giving effect to the allocations under Section A-4.1 , Profits and Losses (and to the extent determined by the Managing Partner to be necessary and appropriate to achieve the resulting capital account balances described below, any allocable items of gross income, gain, loss and expense includable in the computation of Profits and Losses) for each Allocation Period shall be allocated among the Partners during such Allocation Period, in such a manner as shall cause the capital accounts of the Partners (as adjusted to reflect all allocations under Section A-4 and all distributions through the end of such Allocation Period) to equal, as nearly as possible, (a) the amount such Partners would receive if all assets of the C.V. on hand at the end of such Allocation Period were sold for cash equal to their Book Values, all Obligations of the C.V. were satisfied in cash for an amount equal to their Book Values (limited in the case of non-recourse debt to the Book Value of the property securing such debt), and all remaining or resulting cash (including any Retained Distributions) were distributed to the Partners in accordance with their Percentage Interests minus (b) such Partners share of Minimum Gain and Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain, computed immediately prior to the hypothetical sale of assets, and the amount any such Partner is treated as obligated to contribute to the C.V., computed immediately after the hypothetical sale of assets.
A-4. Special Allocations . The following allocations shall be made in the following order:
(a) Nonrecourse Deductions . Nonrecourse Deductions shall be allocated to the Partners as determined by the Managing Partner, to the extent permitted by the Treasury Regulations.
(b) Partner Nonrecourse Deductions Attributable to Partner Nonrecourse Debt . Partner Nonrecourse Deductions attributable to Partner Nonrecourse Debt shall be allocated to the Partners bearing the Economic Risk of Loss for such Partner Nonrecourse Debt as determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b)(4). If more than one Partner bears the Economic Risk of Loss for such Partner Nonrecourse Debt, the Partner Nonrecourse Deductions attributable to such Partner Nonrecourse Debt shall be allocated among the Partners according to the ratio in which they bear the Economic Risk of Loss. This Section A-4(b) is intended to comply with the provisions of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
(c) Partner Minimum Gain Chargeback . Notwithstanding any other provision hereof to the contrary, if there is a net decrease in Minimum Gain for an Allocation Period (or if there was a net decrease in Minimum Gain for a prior Allocation Period and the C.V. did not have sufficient amounts of income and gain during prior periods to allocate among the Partners under this Section A-4(c)), items of income and gain shall be allocated to each Partner in an amount equal to such Partners share of the net decrease in such Minimum Gain (as determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(g)(2)). This Section A-4(c) is intended to constitute a minimum gain chargeback under Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
(d) Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain Chargeback . Notwithstanding any provision hereof to the contrary except Section A-4(c) (dealing with Minimum Gain), if there is a net decrease in Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain for an Allocation Period (or if there was a net decrease in Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain for a prior Allocation Period and the C.V. did not have sufficient amounts of income and gain during prior periods to allocate among the Partners under this Section A-4(d), items of income and gain shall be allocated to each Partner in an amount equal to such Partners share of the net decrease in Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain (as determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4)). This Section A-4(d) is intended to constitute a partner nonrecourse debt minimum gain chargeback under Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
(e) Notwithstanding any provision hereof to the contrary except Section A-4(a) and Section A-4(b), no Losses or other items of loss or expense shall be allocated to any Partner to the extent that such allocation would cause such Partner to have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account (or increase any existing deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account) at the end of such Allocation Period. All Losses and other items of loss and expense in excess of the limitation set forth in this Section A-4(e) shall be allocated to the Partners who do not have a deficit balance in their Adjusted Capital Accounts in proportion to their relative positive Adjusted Capital Accounts but only to the extent that such Losses and other items of loss and expense do not cause any such Partner to have a deficit in its Adjusted Capital Account.
(f) Qualified Income Offset . Notwithstanding any provision hereof to the contrary except Section A-4(c) and Section A-4(d), a Partner who unexpectedly receives an adjustment, allocation or distribution described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) or (6) shall be allocated items of income and gain (consisting of a pro rata portion of each item of income, including gross income, and gain for the Allocation Period) in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate any deficit balance in such Partners Adjusted Capital Account as quickly as possible; provided that an allocation pursuant to this Section A-4(f) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Partner would have deficit Adjusted Capital Account balance after all other allocations provided for in this Exhibit A have been tentatively made as if this Section A-4(f) were not in this Agreement. This Section A-4(f) is intended to constitute a qualified income offset under Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
(g) Gross Income Allocation . In the event that any Partner has a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account at the end of any Allocation Period, such Partner shall be allocated items of C.V. gross income and gain in the amount of such deficit as quickly as possible; provided that an allocation pursuant to this Section A-4(g) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Partner would have a deficit balance in its capital account after all other allocations provided for in this Exhibit A have been tentatively made as if Section A-4(f) and this Section A-4(g) were not in this Exhibit A.
(h) Section 754 Adjustments . To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any C.V. properties pursuant to Code Section 734(b) or Code Section 743(b) is required pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) (m) (2) or 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) (m) (4) to be taken into account in determining capital accounts as the result of a distribution to any Partner in complete liquidation of such Partners interest in the C.V., the amount of such adjustment to capital accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis) and such gain or loss shall be allocated to the Partners in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) (m) (2) if such Treasury Regulation Section applies, or to the Partner to whom such distribution was made if Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) (m) (4) applies.
A-5. Income Tax Allocations .
(a) All items of income, gain, loss and deduction for U.S. federal income tax purposes shall be allocated in the same manner as the corresponding item is allocated pursuant to Section 6.01 or Section A-4 , except as otherwise provided in this Section A-4 .
(b) In accordance with the principles of Code Section 704(c) and the Treasury Regulations thereunder (including the Treasury Regulations applying the principles of Code Section 704(c) to changes in Book Values), income, gain, deduction and loss with respect to any C.V. property or Obligations having a Book Value that differs from such propertys adjusted tax basis or adjusted issue price, respectively, for U.S. federal income tax purposes shall, solely for U.S. federal income tax purposes, be allocated among the Partners in order to account for any such difference using the traditional method with curative allocations under Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3(c) or such other method or methods as determined by the Managing Partner to be appropriate and in accordance with the applicable Treasury Regulations.
(c) Any (i) recapture of depreciation or any other item of deduction shall be allocated, in accordance with Treasury Regulations Sections 1.1245-1(e) and 1.1254-5, to the Partners who received the benefit of such deductions (taking into account the effect of allocations under Code Section 704(c)), and (ii) recapture of grants credits shall be allocated to the Partners in accordance with applicable law.
(d) Tax credits of the C.V. shall be allocated among the Partners as provided in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(4)(ii) and 1.704-1(b)(4)(viii).
(e) Allocations pursuant to this Section A-4 are solely for purposes of U.S. federal, state, and local taxes and, except as otherwise specifically provided, shall not affect, or in any way be taken into account in computing, any Partners capital account or share of Profits, Losses, other items or distributions pursuant to any provision of this Exhibit A or the Agreement.
A-6. Other Allocation Rules.
(a) All items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit allocable to an interest in the C.V. that may have been Transferred shall be allocated between the Transferor and the Transferee based on the portion of the Fiscal Year during which each was recognized as the owner of such interest, without regard to the results of C.V. operations during any particular portion of that year and without regard to whether cash distributions were made to the Transferor or the Transferee during that year; provided, however, that this allocation must be made in accordance with a method permissible under Code Section 706 and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.
(b) The Partners proportionate shares of the excess nonrecourse liabilities of the C.V., within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-3(a)(3), shall be allocated to the Partners in any manner determined by the Managing Partner and permissible under the Treasury Regulations.
(c) The allocations set forth in Sections A-3, A-4, A-5 and the preceding provisions of this Section A-6 are intended to comply with the Treasury Regulations. If the Managing Partner determines that a Partners capital account or the allocations to a Partner are not in compliance with the Treasury Regulations, the Managing Partner is authorized to make any appropriate adjustments.
A-7. Tax Matters Partner; Section 754 Election; Tax Classification.
(a) Tax Matters Partner. The Tax Matters Partner (as such term is defined in Section 6231(a)(7) of the Code) of the C.V. shall be the General Partner. The Tax Matters Partner shall use commercially reasonable efforts to comply with the responsibilities outlined in Sections 6221 through 6233 of the Code (including the Regulations promulgated thereunder) and shall
have any powers necessary to perform fully in such capacity. In such regard, the Tax Matters Partners authority shall include the authority to (i) prepare and file all tax returns of the C.V., (ii) make such elections under the Code and other relevant tax laws in a manner consistent with the provisions of this Exhibit A as to the treatment of items of C.V. income, gain, loss and deduction, (iii) determine which items of cash outlay are to be capitalized or treated as current expenses, (iv) select the method of accounting and bookkeeping procedures to be used by the C.V., and (v) represent the C.V. before taxing authorities and courts in tax matters affecting the C.V. and the Partners in their capacity as such and shall keep the Partners informed of any such administrative and judicial proceedings. The Tax Matters Partner shall be entitled to be reimbursed by the C.V. for all costs and expenses incurred by it in connection with any administrative or judicial proceeding affecting tax matters of the C.V. and the Partners in their capacity as such and to be indemnified by the C.V. (solely out of C.V. assets) with respect to any action brought against it in connection with any judgment in or settlement of any such proceeding. Any Partner who enters into a settlement agreement with respect to any C.V. item shall notify the Tax Matters Partner of such settlement agreement and its terms within 30 days after the date of settlement. This Section A-7(a) shall survive any termination of this Exhibit A or the C.V.
(b) Section 754 Election. In the event of a transfer of an interest in the C.V. as permitted pursuant to this Exhibit A or a distribution of property to a Partner, the Tax Matters Partner shall cause the C.V. to make a timely election (a Section 754 Election) under Section 754 of the Code.
(c) Classification as a Partnership. The parties hereto intend the C.V. be classified as a Partnership for United States federal income tax purposes effective as of the date of formation. The General Partner shall not elect to have the C.V. classified as an association taxable as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes pursuant to Regulation section 301.7701-3. The Tax Matters Partner shall, for and on behalf of the C.V., take all steps as may be required to maintain the C.V.s classification as a Partnership for federal income tax purposes, including affirmatively electing to classify the C.V. as a Partnership by timely executing and filing Internal Revenue Service Form 8832 effective as of the date of formation of the C.V. By incorporating this Exhibit A into the Agreement, each of the parties hereto consents to the authority of the Tax Matters Partner to make any such election and shall cooperate in the making of such election (including providing consents and other authorizations that may be required). The C.V. shall not, with respect to the partnership interests in the C.V., participate (within the meaning of Regulation section 1.7704-1(d)(1)) in the establishment of an established securities market (within the meaning of Regulation section 1.7704-1(b)) or a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof (within the meaning of Regulation section 1.7704-1(c)) or, in either case, the inclusion of the partnership interests in the C.V. thereon.
EXHIBIT B
Initial Capital Account Balances
FIM | FILP | MH | Total | |||||||||||
$ | 4,543,000 | $ | 3,372,985,000 | $ | 1,165,472,000 | $ | 4,543,000,000 |
Exhibit 10.5
EXECUTION
U.S. $100,000,000
REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT
Dated as of August 14, 2013
among
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V.
acting as sole general partner and on behalf of
the limited partnership ( commanditaire vennootschap )
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V.,
as Borrower,
AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank and Swingline Facility Lender
CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as Syndication Agent
AMEGY BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
and
CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as Co-Lead Arrangers and
Joint Book Runners
and
THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO
TABLE OF CONTENTS
P AGE |
||||
ARTICLE I | ||||
D EFINITIONS | ||||
Section 1.01 |
Defined Terms |
1 | ||
Section 1.02 |
Terms Generally |
25 | ||
Section 1.03 |
Effectuation of Transfers |
25 | ||
ARTICLE II | ||||
T HE C REDITS | ||||
Section 2.01 |
Commitments |
26 | ||
Section 2.02 |
Loans and Borrowings |
26 | ||
Section 2.03 |
Requests for Borrowings |
26 | ||
Section 2.04 |
Reserved |
27 | ||
Section 2.05 |
Revolving Letters of Credit |
27 | ||
Section 2.06 |
Funding of Borrowings |
31 | ||
Section 2.07 |
Interest Elections |
32 | ||
Section 2.08 |
Termination and Reduction of Commitments |
33 | ||
Section 2.09 |
Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt |
33 | ||
Section 2.10 |
Repayment of Loans |
34 | ||
Section 2.11 |
Prepayment of Loans |
34 | ||
Section 2.12 |
Fees |
35 | ||
Section 2.13 |
Interest |
36 | ||
Section 2.14 |
Alternate Rate of Interest |
37 | ||
Section 2.15 |
Increased Costs |
37 | ||
Section 2.16 |
Break Funding Payments |
38 | ||
Section 2.17 |
Taxes |
39 | ||
Section 2.18 |
Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs |
41 | ||
Section 2.19 |
Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders |
42 | ||
Section 2.20 |
Increase in Revolving Facility Commitments |
43 | ||
Section 2.21 |
Illegality |
45 | ||
Section 2.22 |
Defaulting Lenders |
45 | ||
Section 2.23 |
Swingline Facility |
47 | ||
ARTICLE III | ||||
R EPRESENTATIONS AND W ARRANTIES | ||||
Section 3.01 |
Organization; Powers |
49 | ||
Section 3.02 |
Authorization |
50 | ||
Section 3.03 |
Enforceability |
50 | ||
Section 3.04 |
Governmental Approvals |
50 | ||
Section 3.05 |
Financial Statements |
50 | ||
Section 3.06 |
No Material Adverse Effect |
51 | ||
Section 3.07 |
Title to Properties; Possession Under Leases |
51 | ||
Section 3.08 |
Litigation; Compliance with Laws |
51 | ||
Section 3.09 |
Federal Reserve Regulations |
52 |
i
Section 3.10 |
Investment Company Act |
52 | ||
Section 3.11 |
Use of Proceeds |
52 | ||
Section 3.12 |
Tax Returns |
52 | ||
Section 3.13 |
No Material Misstatements |
52 | ||
Section 3.14 |
Employee Benefit Plans |
53 | ||
Section 3.15 |
Environmental Matters |
53 | ||
Section 3.16 |
Reserved |
54 | ||
Section 3.17 |
Reserved |
54 | ||
Section 3.18 |
Solvency |
54 | ||
Section 3.19 |
Labor Matters |
54 | ||
Section 3.20 |
Insurance |
54 | ||
Section 3.21 |
Status as Senior Debt |
54 | ||
Section 3.22 |
Material Contracts |
55 | ||
Section 3.23 |
Foreign Corrupt Practices |
55 | ||
Section 3.24 |
OFAC |
55 | ||
ARTICLE IV | ||||
C ONDITIONS TO C REDIT E VENTS | ||||
Section 4.01 |
All Credit Events |
55 | ||
Section 4.02 |
First Credit Event |
56 | ||
ARTICLE V | ||||
A FFIRMATIVE C OVENANTS | ||||
Section 5.01 |
Existence; Businesses and Properties |
58 | ||
Section 5.02 |
Insurance |
59 | ||
Section 5.03 |
Taxes; Payment of Obligations |
59 | ||
Section 5.04 |
Financial Statements, Reports, Etc. |
60 | ||
Section 5.05 |
Litigation and Other Notices |
61 | ||
Section 5.06 |
Compliance with Laws |
61 | ||
Section 5.07 |
Maintaining Records; Access to Properties and Inspections |
61 | ||
Section 5.08 |
Use of Proceeds |
62 | ||
Section 5.09 |
Compliance with Environmental Laws |
62 | ||
Section 5.10 |
Further Assurances; Additional Loan Parties |
62 | ||
Section 5.11 |
Fiscal Year |
62 | ||
ARTICLE VI | ||||
N EGATIVE C OVENANTS | ||||
Section 6.01 |
Indebtedness |
63 | ||
Section 6.02 |
Liens |
65 | ||
Section 6.03 |
Sale and Lease-back Transactions |
68 | ||
Section 6.04 |
Investments, Loans and Advances |
68 | ||
Section 6.05 |
Mergers, Consolidations, Sales of Assets and Acquisitions |
69 | ||
Section 6.06 |
Dividends and Distributions |
71 | ||
Section 6.07 |
Transactions with Affiliates |
72 | ||
Section 6.08 |
Business of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries |
73 | ||
Section 6.09 |
Limitation on Modifications of Indebtedness; Modifications of Certificate of Incorporation, By-laws and Certain Other Agreements; etc. |
74 | ||
Section 6.10 |
Leverage Ratio |
75 |
ii
Section 6.11 |
Interest Coverage Ratio |
75 | ||
Section 6.12 |
Swap Agreements |
75 | ||
ARTICLE VII | ||||
E VENTS OF D EFAULT | ||||
Section 7.01 |
Events of Default |
76 | ||
ARTICLE VIII | ||||
T HE A DMINISTRATIVE A GENT | ||||
Section 8.01 |
Appointment and Authority |
78 | ||
Section 8.02 |
Rights as a Lender |
78 | ||
Section 8.03 |
Exculpatory Provisions |
78 | ||
Section 8.04 |
Reliance by Administrative Agent |
79 | ||
Section 8.05 |
Delegation of Duties |
79 | ||
Section 8.06 |
Resignation of the Administrative Agent |
80 | ||
Section 8.07 |
Non-Reliance on the Administrative Agent, Other Lenders and Other Issuing Banks |
81 | ||
Section 8.08 |
No Other Duties, Etc. |
81 | ||
Section 8.09 |
Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim |
81 | ||
Section 8.10 |
Guaranty Matters |
81 | ||
Section 8.11 |
Reserved |
82 | ||
Section 8.12 |
Indemnification |
82 | ||
Section 8.13 |
Appointment of Supplemental Administrative Agent |
82 | ||
Section 8.14 |
Withholding |
83 | ||
Section 8.15 |
Enforcement |
83 | ||
ARTICLE IX | ||||
M ISCELLANEOUS | ||||
Section 9.01 |
Notices |
84 | ||
Section 9.02 |
Survival of Agreement |
84 | ||
Section 9.03 |
Binding Effect |
85 | ||
Section 9.04 |
Successors and Assigns |
85 | ||
Section 9.05 |
Expenses; Indemnity |
88 | ||
Section 9.06 |
Right of Set-off |
89 | ||
Section 9.07 |
Applicable Law |
89 | ||
Section 9.08 |
Waivers; Amendment |
89 | ||
Section 9.09 |
Interest Rate Limitation |
91 | ||
Section 9.10 |
Entire Agreement |
92 | ||
Section 9.11 |
Waiver of Jury Trial |
92 | ||
Section 9.12 |
Severability |
93 | ||
Section 9.13 |
Counterparts |
94 | ||
Section 9.14 |
Headings |
94 | ||
Section 9.15 |
Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process |
94 | ||
Section 9.16 |
Confidentiality |
94 | ||
Section 9.17 |
Communications |
95 | ||
Section 9.18 |
Release of Guarantees |
96 | ||
Section 9.19 |
U.S.A. PATRIOT Act and Similar Legislation |
97 | ||
Section 9.20 |
Judgment |
97 |
iii
Section 9.21 |
Reserved |
97 | ||
Section 9.22 |
No Fiduciary Duty |
97 | ||
Section 9.23 |
Application of Funds |
97 | ||
Section 9.24 |
Imaging of Documents |
98 | ||
Section 9.25 |
Keepwell |
98 |
iv
Exhibits and Schedules | ||
Exhibit A | Form of Assignment and Acceptance | |
Exhibit B | Form of Prepayment Notice | |
Exhibit C-1 | Form of Borrowing Request | |
Exhibit C-2 | Form of Swingline Facility Borrowing Request | |
Exhibit D | Form of Interest Election Request | |
Exhibit E | Form of Guaranty Agreement | |
Exhibit F | Form of Solvency Certificate | |
Exhibit G | Form of Revolving Note | |
Exhibits H-1-4 | Forms of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate | |
Exhibit I | Form of Administrative Questionnaire | |
Exhibit J | Form of Notice of Revolving Facility Commitment Increase | |
Exhibit K | Form of Credit Agreement Joinder | |
Schedule 1.01 | Existing Letters of Credit | |
Schedule 2.01 | Commitments | |
Schedule 3.04 | Governmental Approvals | |
Schedule 3.07(g) | Subsidiaries | |
Schedule 3.08(a) | Litigation | |
Schedule 3.12 | Taxes | |
Schedule 3.15 | Environmental Matters | |
Schedule 3.20 | Insurance | |
Schedule 3.22 | Material Contracts | |
Schedule 6.01 | Indebtedness | |
Schedule 6.02(a) | Liens | |
Schedule 6.04 | Investments |
v
THIS REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of August 14, 2013 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, this Agreement ), is among FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., a private limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the Netherlands ( FIMBV ), acting as sole general partner and on behalf of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V., a limited partnership ( commanditaire vennootschap ) formed and entered into under the laws of The Netherlands ( Franks International C.V. and, FIMBV acting as sole general partner and on behalf of Franks International C.V., the Borrower ), the LENDERS party hereto from time to time, and AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association ( Amegy ), as administrative agent (in such capacity, together with any successor administrative agent appointed pursuant to the provisions of Article VIII, the Administrative Agent ) and CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as syndication agent (in such capacity, the Syndication Agent ).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Lenders extend credit in the form of Revolving Facility Loans and Revolving Letters of Credit at any time and from time to time prior to the Revolving Facility Maturity Date, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not in excess of U.S. $100,000,000.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Lenders are willing to extend such credit to the Borrower on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01 Defined Terms . As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings specified below:
ABR Borrowing shall mean a Borrowing comprised of ABR Loans.
ABR Loan shall mean any Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate in accordance with the provisions of Article II.
Adjusted Eurodollar Rate shall mean for any Interest Period with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, an interest rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1.00%) equal to (a) the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period multiplied by (b) the Statutory Reserves.
Administrator shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.11(b)(ii).
Administrative Agent shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
Administrative Agent Default Period shall mean, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any time when the Administrative Agent is a Defaulting Lender and is not performing its role as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents.
Administrative Agent Fees shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.12(d).
Administrative Questionnaire shall mean an Administrative Questionnaire in substantially the form of Exhibit I or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.
Franks International Multi-Year
Credit Agreement
1
Affiliate shall mean, when used with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.
Agent Parties shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17(c).
Agreement shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
Alternate Base Rate shall mean the greatest of (i) the Prime Rate per annum , (ii) the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 0.50% per annum , and (iii) the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate as of such date for a one-month Interest Period plus 1.00% per annum. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate shall be effective from and including the date of such change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate, respectively.
Applicable Margin shall mean for any day, (i) on and prior to the Trigger Date, (x) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, 1.50% per annum and (y) with respect to any ABR Loan, 0.50% per annum and (ii) after the Trigger Date, the applicable margin per annum set forth below under the caption Revolving Facility Loans ABR Loan Spread , Swingline Facility Loans ABR Loan Spread , Revolving Facility Loans Eurodollar Loan Spread and Commitment Fee , as applicable, based upon the Leverage Ratio as of the last date of the most recent fiscal quarter of the Borrower:
Leverage Ratio: |
Revolving
Facility Loans ABR Loan Spread |
Revolving
Facility Loans Eurodollar Loan Spread and |
Swingline
Facility Loans ABR Loan Spread |
Commitment
Fee |
||||||||||||
Category 1: Greater than 1.50 to 1.00 |
1.50 | % | 2.50 | % | 1.50 | % | 0.375 | % | ||||||||
Category 2: Greater than 0.50 to 1.00 but less than or equal to 1.50 to 1.00 |
1.00 | % | 2.00 | % | 1.00 | % | 0.375 | % | ||||||||
Category 3: Less than or equal to 0.50 to 1.00 |
0.50 | % | 1.50 | % | 0.50 | % | 0.250 | % |
For purposes of the foregoing, (1) the Leverage Ratio shall be determined as of the end of each fiscal quarter of the Borrowers fiscal year based upon the consolidated financial information of FINV and its Subsidiaries (including the Borrower) delivered pursuant to Section 5.04(a) or (b) and (2) each change in the Applicable Margin resulting from a change in the Leverage Ratio shall be effective on the first Business Day after the date of delivery to the Administrative Agent of such consolidated financial information indicating such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change; provided that the Leverage Ratio shall be deemed to be in Category 1 at the option of the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders, at any time during which the Borrower fails to deliver the consolidated financial information when required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.04(a) or (b), during the period from the expiration of the time for delivery thereof until such consolidated financial information is delivered.
Franks International Multi-Year
Credit Agreement
2
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained above in this definition or elsewhere in this Agreement, if it is subsequently determined that the computation of the Leverage Ratio set forth in a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower delivered to the Administrative Agent is inaccurate for any reason and the result thereof is that the Lenders received interest or fees for any period based on an Applicable Margin that is less than that which would have been applicable had the Leverage Ratio been accurately determined, then, for all purposes of this Agreement, the Applicable Margin for any day occurring within the period covered by such certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower shall retroactively be deemed to be the relevant percentage as based upon the accurately determined Leverage Ratio for such period, and any shortfall in the interest or fees theretofore paid by the Borrower for the relevant period pursuant to Section 2.12 and Section 2.13 as a result of the miscalculation of the Leverage Ratio shall be deemed to be (and shall be) due and payable under the relevant provisions of Section 2.12 or Section 2.13, as applicable, at the time the interest or fees for such period were required to be paid pursuant to said Section (and shall remain due and payable until paid in full), in accordance with the terms of this Agreement); provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as an Event of Default described in Section 7.01(h) or (i) has not occurred with respect to the Borrower, such shortfall shall be due and payable five (5) Business Days following the determination described above.
Amegy shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
Approved Fund shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b).
Asset Acquisition shall mean any acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of, or all of the Equity Interests (other than directors qualifying shares) in a Person or division or line of business of a Person in respect of which the aggregate consideration exceeds U.S. $30,000,000.
Asset Disposition shall mean any sale, transfer or other disposition by a Loan Party or any Subsidiary of the Borrower to any Person other than a Loan Party or a Subsidiary of the Borrower to the extent otherwise permitted hereunder of any asset or group of related assets (other than inventory or other assets sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business) in one or a series of related transactions, the Net Proceeds from which exceed U.S. $30,000,000.
Assignment and Acceptance shall mean an assignment and acceptance entered into by a Lender and an assignee, and accepted by the Administrative Agent, Swingline Facility Lender, Issuing Bank and the Borrower (if required pursuant to Section 9.04(b)), in substantially the form of Exhibit A or such other form as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent.
Availability Period shall mean the period from the Closing Date to but excluding the earlier of the Revolving Facility Maturity Date and the date of termination of the Revolving Facility Commitments.
Available Unused Commitment shall mean, with respect to a Revolving Facility Lender (other than the Swingline Facility Lender), at any time of determination, an amount equal to the amount by which (a) the Revolving Facility Commitment of such Revolving Facility Lender at such time exceeds (b) the Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of such Revolving Facility Lender at such time and with respect to the Revolving Facility Lender that is the Swingline Facility Lender, at any time of determination, an amount equal to the amount by which (i) the Revolving Facility Commitment of the Swingline Facility Lender, at such time exceeds (ii) the sum of (1) the Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of the Swingline Facility Lender plus (2) the Swingline Facility Credit Exposure of the Swingline Facility Lender at such time.
Franks International Multi-Year
Credit Agreement
3
Basel III shall mean the comprehensive set of capital, liquidity and other regulatory reform measures developed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, as implemented by the U.S. federal banking agencies.
Benefitting Loan Party means a Loan Party for which funds or other support are necessary for such Loan Party to constitute an Eligible Contract Participant.
Board shall mean the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States.
Borrower shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement, it being understood, however, that for purpose of Sections 5 and 6 of this Agreement such term shall be deemed to include Franks International C.V.
Borrower Materials shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17(b).
Borrowing shall mean a group of Loans of a single Type under the Revolving Facility made on a single date to the Borrower and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect.
Borrowing Minimum shall mean (a) in the case of a Revolving Facility Borrowing comprised entirely of Eurodollar Loans, U.S. $1,000,000 and (b) in the case of a Revolving Facility Borrowing comprised entirely of ABR Loans, U.S. $1,000,000; provided if a Loan Party and Swingline Facility Lender enter into a cash management or similar arrangement pursuant to which the Swingline Facility Lender makes daily advances to a Loan Party and such Loan Party authorizes the Swingline Facility Lender to automatically deduct payments owing by it from specified accounts of a Loan Party in connection with daily repayments of Swingline Facility Loans, no Borrowing Minimum will be applicable.
Borrowing Multiple shall mean (a) in the case of a Revolving Facility Borrowing comprised entirely of Eurodollar Loans, U.S. $500,000 and (b) in the case of a Revolving Facility Borrowing comprised entirely of ABR Loans, U.S. $500,000; provided if a Loan Party and Swingline Facility Lender enter into a cash management or similar arrangement pursuant to which the Swingline Facility Lender makes daily advances to a Loan Party and such Loan Party authorizes the Swingline Facility Lender to automatically deduct payments owing by it from specified accounts of a Loan Party in connection with daily repayments of Swingline Facility Loans, no Borrowing Multiple will be applicable.
Borrowing Request shall mean a request by the Borrower for a Revolving Facility Borrowing in accordance with the terms of Section 2.03 and substantially in the form of Exhibit C-1 .
Business Day shall mean any day of the year, other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banks are required or authorized to close in New York, New York or Houston, Texas, and, where used in the context of Eurodollar Loans, is also a day on which dealings are carried on in the London interbank market.
Calculation Period shall mean, as of any date of determination, the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on such date or, if such date is not the last day of a fiscal quarter, ending on the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Borrower most recently ended prior to such date.
Franks International Multi-Year
Credit Agreement
4
Capital Lease Obligations of any Person shall mean the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP and, for purposes hereof, the amount of such obligations at any time shall be the capitalized amount thereof at such time determined in accordance with GAAP. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, any obligation of a Person under a lease (whether existing now or entered into in the future) that is not (or would not be) required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of such Person under GAAP as in effect at the time such lease is entered into shall not be treated as a Capital Lease Obligation solely as a result of (x) the adoption of any changes in, or (y) changes in the application of, GAAP after such lease is entered into.
Change in Control means the occurrence of any of the following: (a) at any time on or after consummation of an initial public offering of the common equity of FINV, any Person or group (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5 of the Exchange Act as in effect on the Closing Date), other than the Mosing Family, shall own beneficially (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5 of the Exchange Act as in effect on the Closing Date), directly or indirectly, in the aggregate Equity Interests representing 50% or more of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of FINV; or (b) FINV shall cease to own beneficially (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5 of the Exchange Act as in effect on the Closing Date), directly or indirectly, in the aggregate Equity Interests representing 50% or more of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of Borrower.
Change in Law shall mean (a) the adoption or implementation of any treaty, law, rule or regulation after the Closing Date, (b) any change in law, rule or regulation or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the Closing Date or (c) compliance by any Lender or Issuing Bank (or, for purposes of Section 2.15(b), by any lending office of such Lender or Issuing Bank or by such Lenders or Issuing Banks holding company, if any) with any written request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law but if not having the force of law, then being one with which the relevant party would customarily comply) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the Closing Date; provided , that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a Change in Law, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued; and, provided, further, that the increased costs associated with a Change in Law based on the foregoing clauses (x) and (y) may only be imposed to the extent the applicable Lender imposes the same charges on other similarly situated borrowers under comparable credit facilities.
Closing Date shall mean August 14, 2013, and Closing shall mean the making of the initial Loans on the Closing Date hereunder.
Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
Commitment Fee shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.12(a).
Commitments shall mean (a) with respect to any Lender, such Lenders Revolving Facility Commitment and Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment, (b) with respect to the Swingline Facility Lender, such Swingline Facility Lenders Swingline Facility Commitment and (c) with respect to any Issuing Bank, its Revolving L/C Commitment.
Franks International Multi-Year
Credit Agreement
5
Commodity Exchange Act means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended and any successor statute.
Communications shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17(a).
Consolidated Funded Debt at any date shall mean (without duplication) all Indebtedness consisting of Capital Lease Obligations, Indebtedness for borrowed money and Indebtedness in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than (a) trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business and not past due for more than ninety (90) days unless being contested by such Person in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, (b) deferred compensation payable to directors, partners, members, officers or employees of FINV or any of its Subsidiaries and (c) any purchase price adjustment or earnout, except to the extent that the amount payable pursuant to such purchase price adjustment is determinable and is not paid when due (giving effect to any applicable grace period)), of the Loan Parties and Borrowers Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis on such date.
Consolidated Net Income shall mean, for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of FINV and its Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis; provided, however , that
(a) any net after-tax extraordinary, unusual or nonrecurring gains or losses (less all fees and expenses related thereto) or income, expenses or charges (including, without limitation, expenses or charges related to any offering of Equity Interests of any Loan Party or the Borrowers Subsidiaries, any Investment, acquisition or Indebtedness permitted to be incurred hereunder (in each case, whether or not successful), including all fees, expenses and charges related to the Transactions), in each case, shall be excluded; provided that, with respect to each nonrecurring item, the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent an officers certificate specifying and quantifying such item and stating that such item is a nonrecurring item,
(b) any net after-tax income or loss from discontinued operations and any net after-tax gain or loss on disposal of discontinued operations shall be excluded,
(c) any net after-tax gain or loss (including the effect of all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto) attributable to business dispositions or asset dispositions other than in the ordinary course of business (as determined in good faith by the governing body of the Borrower) shall be excluded,
(d) any net after-tax income or loss (including the effect of all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto) attributable to the refinancing, modification of or early extinguishment of indebtedness (including any net after-tax income or loss attributable to the repayment of obligations under Swap Agreements) shall be excluded,
(e) the Net Income for such period of any Person that is not a Subsidiary of a Loan Party, or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting, shall be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to a Loan Party or a Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period,
(f) the Net Income for such period of any Subsidiary (that is not a Loan Party) of a Loan Party shall be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Subsidiary of its Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (which has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by the operation of the terms of its organizational documents or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule, or governmental regulation applicable to that Subsidiary or its stockholders, partners or members, unless such restriction with respect to the payment of dividends or similar distributions has been legally waived or complied with,
Franks International Multi-Year
Credit Agreement
6
(g) Consolidated Net Income for such period shall not include the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles during such period,
(h) any non-cash charges from the application of the purchase method of accounting in connection with the Transactions or any future acquisition, to the extent such charges are deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income, shall be excluded,
(i) any non-cash expenses (including, without limitation, write-downs and impairment of property, plant, equipment, goodwill and intangibles and other long-lived assets), any non-cash gains or losses on interest rate and foreign currency derivatives and any foreign currency transaction gains or losses and any foreign currency exchange translation gains or losses that arise on consolidation of integrated operations shall be excluded, and
(j) any long-term incentive plan accruals and any non-cash compensation expense realized from grants of stock or unit appreciation or similar rights, stock or unit options, any restricted stock or unit plan or other rights to officers, directors, and employees (or persons holding similar positions or performing similar functions for non-corporate entities) of any Loan Party or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries shall be excluded.
Consolidated Total Assets shall mean, as of any date, the total assets of FINV and its consolidated Subsidiaries (including Borrower), determined in accordance with GAAP, in each case as set forth on the consolidated balance sheet of FINV as of such date.
Control shall mean 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 ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and Controlling and Controlled shall have meanings correlative thereto.
Credit Agreement Joinder shall mean the credit agreement joinder described in Section 2.20(a) and being substantially in the form of Exhibit K , together with all amendments, modifications, replacements, extensions and rearrangements thereof.
Credit Event shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Article IV.
Default shall mean any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or which upon notice, lapse of time or both, unless cured or waived, would become an Event of Default.
Defaulting Lender shall mean any Lender that (a) has failed to perform any of its funding obligations under this Agreement, including with respect to Loans and participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Facility Loans within three Business Days of the date when due, unless the subject of a good faith dispute, (b) has notified the Borrower or the Administrative Agent that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations under this Agreement or has made a public statement to such effect with respect to its funding obligations under this Agreement (and such notice or public statement has not been withdrawn), (c) has failed, within three Business Days after request by the Administrative Agent (whether acting on its own behalf or at the reasonable request of the Borrower (it being understood that the Administrative Agent shall comply with any such reasonable request)), to confirm in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that it will comply with its funding obligations, (d) 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 three Business Days of the date when due, unless the subject of a good faith
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dispute or subsequently cured, or (e) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, become the subject of a proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency laws, or has had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity, or has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely as the result of the acquisition or maintenance of an ownership interest in such Lender or its direct or indirect parent company or the exercise of control over a Lender or its direct or indirect parent by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender.
Dispute shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.11(b)(i).
EBITDA shall mean, with respect to FINV and its Subsidiaries (including the Borrower) on a consolidated basis for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of FINV and its Subsidiaries for such period plus (a) the sum of (in each case without duplication and to the extent the respective amounts described in subclauses (i) through (vii) of this clause (a) reduced such Consolidated Net Income for the respective period for which EBITDA is being determined (but excluding any non-cash item to the extent it represents an accrual or reserve for a potential cash charge in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period)):
(i) provision for Taxes based on income, profits, losses or capital of FINV and its Subsidiaries for such period (adjusted for the tax effect of all adjustments made to Consolidated Net Income),
(ii) Interest Expense of FINV and its Subsidiaries that are Loan Parties for such period (net of interest income of the General Partner and such Subsidiaries for such period) and to the extent not reflected in Interest Expense, costs of surety bonds in connection with financing activities,
(iii) depreciation, amortization (including, without limitation, amortization of intangibles and deferred financing fees) and other non-cash expenses (including, without limitation write-downs and impairment of property, plant, equipment, goodwill and intangibles and other long-lived assets and the impact of purchase accounting on FINV and its Subsidiaries for such period),
(iv) gain or loss on sale of assets of FINV and its Subsidiaries,
(v) foreign currency gain or loss by FINV and its Subsidiaries,
(vi) other non-cash adjustments (e.g., stock compensation expense as a result of the long term incentive plan), and
(vii) extraordinary losses and unusual or non-recurring cash charges;
minus (b) to the extent such amounts increased such Consolidated Net Income for the respective period for which EBITDA is being determined, non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income of FINV and its Subsidiaries for such period (but excluding any such items which represent the reversal in such period of any accrual of, or cash reserve for, anticipated cash charges in any prior period where such accrual or reserve is no longer required).
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Eligible Assignee shall mean a Person that is (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender, (c) an Approved Fund, and (d) a financial institution approved by (i) the Administrative Agent and each Issuing Bank and (ii) unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
Eligible Contract Participant means an eligible contract participant as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder.
Environment shall mean ambient air, surface water and groundwater (including potable water, navigable water and wetlands), the land surface or subsurface strata or sediment and natural resources such as flora and fauna.
Environmental Claim shall mean any and all actions, suits, demands, claims, liens, notices of non-compliance or violation, notices of liability or potential liability, investigations, proceedings, consent orders or consent agreements relating in any way to any actual or alleged violation of Environmental Law or any Release or threatened Release of, or exposure to, Hazardous Materials.
Environmental Event shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.01(m).
Environmental Law shall mean, collectively, all applicable federal, state, provincial, local or foreign laws, including common law, ordinances, regulations, rules, codes, orders, judgments or other legally enforceable requirements or rules of law that relate to (a) the prevention, abatement or elimination of pollution, or the protection of the Environment or human health and (b) the use, generation, handling, treatment, storage, disposal, Release or transportation of, or exposure to, Hazardous Materials, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 9601 et seq. , the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. §§ 1531 et seq. , the Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 6901 et seq. , the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 7401 et seq. , the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. §§ 1251 et seq. , the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 2601 et seq. , the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 4321 et seq. , and the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 11001 et seq. , each as amended, and their foreign, state, provincial or local counterparts or equivalents.
Equity Interests of any Person shall mean any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participation or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any preferred stock, any limited or general partnership interest, any limited liability company membership interest and any unlimited liability company membership interests.
ERISA shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, the regulations promulgated thereunder and any successor thereto.
ERISA Affiliate shall mean any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with the Loan Parties, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code, or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.
ERISA Event shall mean: (a) a Reportable Event; (b) the failure to meet the minimum funding standard of Sections 412 or 430 of the Code or Sections 302 or 303 of ERISA with respect to any Plan (whether or not waived in accordance with Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA) or the
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failure to make by its due date a required installment under Section 430(j) of the Code with respect to any Plan or the failure to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan; (c) a determination that any Plan is in at risk status (as defined in Section 430 of the Code or Section 303 of ERISA); (d) the incurrence by any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability under Title IV of ERISA; (e) the receipt by any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan, or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan under Section 4042 of ERISA; (f) a determination that any Multiemployer Plan is in critical or endangered status under Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA; (g) the incurrence by any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (h) the receipt by any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is insolvent or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA; or (i) the occurrence of a nonexempt prohibited transaction (within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406 of ERISA) which could reasonably be expected to result in liability to the any Loan Party.
Eurodollar Borrowing shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Eurodollar Loans.
Eurodollar Loan shall mean any Revolving Facility Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate in accordance with the provisions of Article II.
Eurodollar Rate shall mean for any Interest Period with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, a rate per annum offered for U.S. Dollar deposits in an amount comparable to the principal amount of the applicable Eurodollar Loan for a period of time equal to the applicable Interest Period as of 11:00 a.m. City of London, England time two (2) Business Days prior to the first date of such Interest Period as shown on the display designated as British Bankers Association Interest Settlement Rates on the Bloomberg System ( Bloomberg ); provided, however , that if such rate is not available on Bloomberg, then such offered rate shall be otherwise independently determined by the Administrative Agent from an alternate, substantially similar independent source available to Administrative Agent and recognized in the banking industry.
Eurodollar Revolving Facility Borrowing shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Eurodollar Loans.
Event of Default shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.01.
Exchange Act shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and any successor statute.
Excluded Swap Obligation means, with respect to any Loan Party individually determined on a Loan Party by Loan Party basis, any Swap Obligation, if and to the extent that, all or a portion of the joint and several liability or the guaranty of such Loan Party for, or the grant by such Loan Party of a security interest or other Lien to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Loan Partys failure for any reason to constitute an Eligible Contract Participant at the time such guarantee or the grant of such security interest or other Lien becomes effective with respect to, or any other time such Loan Party is by virtue of such guarantee or grant of such security interest or other Lien otherwise deemed to enter into, such Swap Obligation. If a Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such guarantee, security interest or other Lien is or becomes illegal.
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Excluded Taxes shall mean, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, any Issuing Bank or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder (a) income, franchise and similar Taxes, in each case imposed on (or measured by) net income, net profits or capital by the United States (or any state or other subdivision thereof) or by the jurisdiction (or any political jurisdiction thereof) under the laws of which such recipient is organized, resident or doing business, or in which its principal office or, in the case of any Lender or Issuing Bank, in which its applicable lending office, is located or any jurisdiction in which such recipient has a present or former connection (other than any such connection arising solely from actions taken under the Loan Documents) is located, (b) any branch profits Tax or any similar Tax that is imposed by any jurisdiction described in clause (a) above, (c) any withholding Tax imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of a recipient with respect to an interest in a Loan or Commitment pursuant to a law that is in effect at the time the Administrative Agent, Lender, Issuing Bank or other recipient acquires an interest in such Loan or Commitment (other than in the case of an assignee pursuant to a request by a Loan Party under Section 2.19(b)) or designates a new lending office, except to the extent that such Lender or Issuing Bank or other recipient in the case of a designation of a new lending office, or its assignor, in the case of assignment, was entitled, at the time of designation of such new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts with respect to such withholding Tax pursuant to Section 2.17(a) or Section 2.17(c), (d) any backup withholding Tax, (e) any withholding Taxes attributable to such Lenders or such other recipients failure (other than as a result of a Change in Law) to comply with Section 2.17(e), and (f) any withholding Tax imposed under FATCA.
Existing Letters of Credit means collectively those letters of credit described on Schedule 1.01 .
FATCA means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the Closing Date (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with the implementation of such Sections of the Code.
Family Member shall mean a spouse, lineal ancestor, lineal descendant, legally adopted child, brother or sister of a Person, or a lineal descendant or legally adopted child of a brother or sister of a Person.
FCPA means the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977.
Federal Funds Effective Rate shall mean, for any day, the weighted average (rounded upward, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the average (rounded upward, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the quotations for the day of such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.
Fee Letter shall mean that certain Engagement Letter dated June 21, 2013 among Amegy, Capital One, National Association and the Borrower.
Fees shall mean the Commitment Fees, the Revolving L/C Participation Fees, the Issuing Bank Fees, the Administrative Agent Fees and any other fees payable under the Fee Letter.
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FIMBV shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
Financial Officer of any Person shall mean the Chief Financial Officer, principal accounting officer, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer or Controller of such Person.
Financial Performance Covenants shall mean the covenants of the Borrower set forth in Sections 6.10 and 6.11.
FINV shall mean Franks International N.V., a limited liability company organized under the laws of the Netherlands.
Franks International C.V. shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
GAAP shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.02.
Governmental Authority shall mean any federal, state, provincial, local or foreign court or governmental agency, authority, instrumentality or regulatory or legislative body.
Guarantee of or by any Person (the guarantor ) shall mean (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person (the primary obligor ) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, by agreement to keep well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take or pay or otherwise) or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment of such Indebtedness, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness, (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the holders of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such holders against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part) or (v) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness, or (b) any Lien on any assets of the guarantor securing any Indebtedness (or any existing right, contingent or otherwise, of the holder of Indebtedness to be secured by such a Lien) of any other Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the guarantor; provided, however , 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 in effect on the Closing Date or entered into in connection with any acquisition or disposition of assets permitted under this Agreement.
Guaranty Agreement shall mean the Guaranty Agreement, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, substantially in the form of Exhibit E , among the Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent, and any other guarantee that may be executed after the Closing Date in favor of, and in form and substance acceptable to, the Administrative Agent.
Hazardous Materials shall mean all pollutants, contaminants, wastes, chemicals, materials, substances and constituents, including explosive or radioactive substances or petroleum or petroleum distillates or breakdown constituents, friable asbestos or friable asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls or radon gas, of any nature, in each case subject to regulation pursuant to, or which can give rise to liability under, any Environmental Law.
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Highest Lawful Rate shall means, with respect to each Lender, the maximum nonusurious interest rate, if any, that at any time or from time to time may be contracted for, taken, reserved, charged or received on the Notes or on other Obligations under laws applicable to such Lender which are presently in effect or, to the extent allowed by law, under such applicable laws which may hereafter be in effect and which allow a higher maximum nonusurious interest rate than applicable laws allow as of the date hereof.
Increased Amount Date shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.20.
Incremental Loans shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.20.
Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.20.
Incremental Revolving Facility Lender shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.20.
Indebtedness of any Person shall mean, 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 under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property or assets purchased by such Person, (d) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade liabilities and intercompany liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business and maturing within 365 days after the incurrence thereof), (e) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (f) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (g) all payments that such Person would have to make in the event of an early termination, on the date Indebtedness of such Person is being determined, in respect of outstanding Swap Agreements (such payments in respect of any Swap Agreement with a counterparty being calculated subject to and in accordance with any netting provisions in such Swap Agreement), and (h) the principal component of all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (i) as an account party in respect of letters of credit (other than any letters of credit, bank guarantees or similar instrument in respect of which a back-to-back letter of credit has been issued under or permitted by this Agreement) and (ii) in respect of bankers acceptances. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership in which such Person is a general partner, other than to the extent that the instrument or agreement evidencing such Indebtedness expressly limits the liability of such Person in respect thereof.
Indemnified Taxes shall mean all Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document.
Indemnitee shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.05(b).
Information shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.13(a).
Interest Coverage Ratio shall mean, on any date, the ratio of (a) EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended as of such date to (b) Interest Expense as of such date; provided that to the extent any Asset Disposition or any Asset Acquisition (or any similar transaction or transactions for which a waiver or a consent of the Required Lenders pursuant to Section 6.04 or 6.05 has been obtained) or incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness (excluding normal fluctuations in revolving
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Indebtedness incurred for working capital purposes) has occurred during the relevant Test Period, the Interest Coverage Ratio shall be determined for the respective Test Period on a Pro Forma Basis for such occurrences.
Interest Election Request shall mean a request by the Borrower to convert or continue a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.07, in substantially the form of Exhibit D .
Interest Expense shall mean, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum of (a) interest expense of such Person for such period on a consolidated basis, including (i) the amortization of debt discounts, (ii) the amortization of all fees (including fees with respect to Swap Agreements) payable in connection with the incurrence of Indebtedness to the extent included in interest expense, (iii) the portion of any payments or accruals with respect to Capital Lease Obligations allocable to interest expense, and (iv) redeemable preferred stock dividend expenses, and (b) capitalized interest of such Person. For purposes of the foregoing, interest expense shall be determined after giving effect to any net payments made or received and costs incurred by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries with respect to Swap Agreements.
Interest Payment Date shall mean (a) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months duration, each day that would have been an Interest Payment Date had successive Interest Periods of three months duration been applicable to such Borrowing and, in addition, the date of any refinancing or conversion of such Borrowing with or to a Borrowing of a different Type, (b) with respect to any ABR Loan (other than a Swingline Facility Loan), the last Business Day of each calendar quarter, and (c) with respect to any Swingline Facility Loan, the day such Swingline Facility Loan is paid.
Interest Period shall mean, as to any Borrowing consisting of a Eurodollar Loan, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing or on the last day of the immediately preceding Interest Period applicable to such Borrowing, as applicable, and ending on the numerically corresponding day (or, if there is no numerically corresponding day, on the last day) in the calendar month that is 1, 2, 3 or 6 months thereafter, as the Borrower may elect, or the date any Eurodollar Borrowing is converted to an ABR Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.07 or repaid or prepaid in accordance with Section 2.09, 2.10 or 2.11; provided that, (a) if any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Loan would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, (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 Revolving Facility Maturity Date. Interest shall accrue from and including the first day of an Interest Period to but excluding the last day of such Interest Period.
Investment shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.04.
IRS means the United States Internal Revenue Service.
Issuing Bank shall mean Amegy and each other Issuing Bank designated pursuant to Section 2.05(k), in each case in its capacity as an issuer of Revolving Letters of Credit hereunder, and its successors in such capacity as provided in Section 2.05(i). An Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Revolving Letters of Credit to be issued by Affiliates of such Issuing Bank, in which case the term Issuing Bank shall include any such Affiliate with respect to Revolving Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate.
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Issuing Bank Fees shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.12(c).
JAMS shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.11(b)(ii).
Lender shall mean each financial institution listed on Schedule 2.01 , as well as any Person (other than a natural person) that becomes a Lender hereunder pursuant to Section 9.04. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term Lender includes the Swingline Facility Lender.
Leverage Ratio shall mean, on any date, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Funded Debt as of such date to (b) EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended as of such date, all determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that to the extent any Asset Disposition or any Asset Acquisition (or any similar transaction or transactions that require a waiver or a consent of the Required Lenders pursuant to Section 6.04 or Section 6.05) or incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness (excluding normal fluctuations in revolving Indebtedness incurred for working capital purposes) has occurred during the relevant Test Period, the Leverage Ratio shall be determined for the respective Test Period on a Pro Forma Basis for such occurrences.
Lien shall mean, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, hypothecation, pledge, encumbrance, charge or security interest in or on such asset, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset and (c) in the case of securities (other than securities representing an interest in a joint venture that is not a Subsidiary of a Loan Party), any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such securities.
Loan Documents shall mean this Agreement, the Notes, the Revolving Letters of Credit and the Guaranty Agreement.
Loan Parties shall mean the Borrower and each Material Subsidiary.
Loans shall mean the Revolving Facility Loans and the Swingline Facility Loans.
Margin Stock shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Regulation U.
Material Adverse Effect shall mean the existence of events and/or conditions that have had or could reasonably be expected to have (i) a materially adverse effect on the business, operations, properties, assets or financial condition of the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, or (ii) a material impairment of the validity or enforceability of, or a material impairment of the material rights, remedies or benefits available to the Lenders, any Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document.
Material Indebtedness shall mean Indebtedness (other than Loans and Letters of Credit hereunder and other than Indebtedness owing by a Loan Party pursuant to the 364-Day Credit Facility) of a Loan Party in an aggregate principal amount exceeding U.S. $30,000,000.
Material Subsidiary shall mean any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a Significant Subsidiary as defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X.
Moodys shall mean Moodys Investors Service, Inc.
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Mosing Family shall mean, collectively, Mosing Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, FWW B.V., a private limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the Netherlands, Ginsoma Family C.V., a limited partnership established under the laws of the Netherlands and each of the persons listed on Exhibit A to the deed of amendment to the articles of association of FINV dated as of August 14, 2013 and each of their Affiliates, Family Members or trusts set up for the benefit of any of the persons listed on such Exhibit.
Multiemployer Plan shall mean a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA and in respect of any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate is an employer as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.
Net Income shall mean, 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.
Net Proceeds shall mean 100% of the cash proceeds actually received by a Loan Party or any Subsidiary of the Borrower (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or purchase price adjustment receivable or otherwise and including casualty insurance settlements and condemnation awards, but only as and when received) from any loss, damage, destruction or condemnation of, or any sale, transfer or other disposition (including any sale and leaseback of assets) to any Person of any asset or assets of a Loan Party or any such Subsidiary of the Borrower (other than those pursuant to Section 6.05(a), (b), (c), (e), (f), (h), (i), or (j)) net of (i) attorneys fees, accountants fees, investment banking fees, sales commissions, survey costs, title insurance premiums, and related search and recording charges, transfer taxes, deed or mortgage recording taxes, required debt payments and required payments of other obligations relating to the applicable asset and any cash reserve for adjustment in respect of the sale price of such asset established in accordance with GAAP, including without limitation, pension and post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction, other customary expenses and brokerage, consultant and other customary fees actually incurred in connection therewith, and (ii) Taxes paid or payable as a result thereof.
Non-Consenting Lender shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.19(c).
Non-U.S. Lender shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.17(e).
Notice of Revolving Facility Commitment Increase shall mean the notice of the Borrower described in Section 2.20(a) and being substantially in the form of Exhibit J .
Notes shall mean the promissory notes of the Borrower described in Section 2.09(e) and being substantially in the form of Exhibit G , together with all amendments, modifications, replacements, extensions and rearrangements thereof.
Obligations shall mean (i) all obligations and liabilities of any Loan Party under any Swap Agreement entered into on or after the Closing Date between such Loan Party and any Person that, at the time such obligation was entered into, was a Lender or Affiliate of a Lender hereunder; provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, with respect to any Loan Party that is not an Eligible Contract Participant, the Obligations of such Loan Party shall exclude any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Loan Party and (ii) all amounts owing to any of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Lender or the Swingline Facility Lender pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or pursuant to the terms of any Guarantee thereof, including, without limitation, with respect to any Loan or Revolving Letter of Credit, together with the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties under or pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or the other Loan
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Documents, in each case 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 or any Affiliate thereof of any proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding.
OFAC means the U.S. Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Other Taxes shall mean any and all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property, intangible or mortgage recording taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, the Loan Documents (other than any such Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment, other than an assignment pursuant to Section 2.19(b)).
Participant shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(c)(i).
Participant Register shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(c)(i).
PBGC shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA.
Permitted Business Acquisition shall mean any acquisition of all or substantially all the assets of, or all the Equity Interests (other than directors qualifying shares) in, a Person or division or line of business of a Person, other than such acquisition of, or of the assets or Equity Interests of, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, if (a) such acquisition was not preceded by, or effected pursuant to, an unsolicited or hostile offer, (b) such acquired Person, division or line of business of a Person is, or is engaged in, any business or business activity conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date and any business or business activities incidental or related thereto, or any business or activity that is reasonably similar thereto or a reasonable extension, development or expansion thereof or ancillary thereto, and (c) immediately after giving effect thereto: (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom; (ii) all transactions related thereto shall be consummated in accordance with applicable laws; and (iii) (A) the Leverage Ratio, on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to such acquisition or formation, recomputed as at the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of FINV, is less than 2.00 to 1.00, and, if the total consideration in respect of such acquisition (or acquisitions) exceeds U.S. $30,000,000, the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower to such effect, together with all relevant financial information for such Subsidiary or assets, and (B) any acquired or newly formed Subsidiary of the Borrower shall not be liable for any Indebtedness (except for Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01).
Permitted Liens shall mean those Liens and other encumbrances permitted by Section 6.02.
Permitted Investments shall mean:
(a) direct obligations of the United States or any agency thereof or obligations guaranteed by the United States or any agency thereof, in each case with maturities not exceeding two years;
(b) time deposit accounts, certificates of deposit and money market deposits maturing within 180 days of the date of acquisition thereof issued by a bank or trust company that is organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof, having capital, surplus and undivided profits in excess of U.S. $250,000,000 and whose long-term debt, or whose parent
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holding companys long-term debt, is rated A (or such similar equivalent rating or higher) by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization (as defined in Rule 436 under the Securities Act);
(c) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 180 days for underlying securities of the types described in clause (a) above entered into with a bank meeting the qualifications described in clause (b) above;
(d) commercial paper, maturing not more than one year after the date of acquisition, issued by a corporation (other than an Affiliate of the Borrower) organized and in existence under the laws of the United States with a rating at the time as of which any investment therein is made of P-1 (or higher) according to Moodys, or A-1 (or higher) according to S&P;
(e) securities with maturities of two years or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof, and rated at least A by S&P or A-2 by Moodys;
(f) shares of mutual funds whose investment guidelines restrict 95% of such funds investments to those satisfying the provisions of clauses (a) through (e) above;
(g) money market funds that (i) comply with the criteria set forth in Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, (ii) are rated AAA by S&P and Aaa by Moodys and (iii) have portfolio assets of at least U.S. $500,000,000; and
(h) time deposit accounts, certificates of deposit and money market deposits in an aggregate face amount not in excess of 1/2 of 1% of the Consolidated Total Assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, as of the end of the Borrowers most recently completed fiscal year.
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness shall mean any Indebtedness issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund (collectively, to Refinance ), the Indebtedness being Refinanced (or previous refinancings thereof constituting Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness); provided that (a) FINV and its Subsidiaries shall be in compliance, on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, with the Financial Performance Covenants recomputed as at the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of FINV and its Subsidiaries, (b) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness so Refinanced (plus unpaid accrued interest, breakage costs and premium thereon and reasonable transaction expenses with respect thereto), (c) the average life to maturity of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is greater than or equal to that of the Indebtedness being Refinanced, (d) if the Indebtedness being Refinanced is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations under this Agreement, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness shall be subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations on terms at least as favorable to the Lenders, taken as a whole, as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being Refinanced, (e) no Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness shall have different obligors, or greater guarantees or security, than the Indebtedness being Refinanced (other than any after-acquired or established Subsidiary that pursuant to the terms of the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed or replaced would have been required to become an obligor thereunder), and (f) if the Indebtedness being Refinanced is secured by any collateral, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness may be secured by such collateral on terms no less favorable in any material respect to the Lenders, taken as a whole, than those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being Refinanced.
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Permitted Senior Unsecured Debt shall mean unsecured senior Indebtedness issued by the Borrower and/or a finance company that is an Affiliate of the Borrower (i) the terms of which (1) do not provide for any scheduled repayment, mandatory redemption or sinking fund obligation prior to the date that is 91 days after the Revolving Facility Maturity Date, (2) do not contain covenants that, taken as a whole, are more restrictive than those set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (3) provide for covenants and events of default customary for Indebtedness of a similar nature as such Permitted Senior Unsecured Debt and (ii) in respect of which no Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a guarantor under the Loan Documents is a guarantor; provided that immediately prior to and after giving effect on a Pro Forma Basis to any incurrence of Permitted Senior Unsecured Debt, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom and the Borrower would be in compliance on a Pro Forma Basis with the Financial Performance Covenants as of the most recently completed fiscal quarter for which financial statements are available.
Person shall mean any natural person, corporation, business trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, limited liability company, individual or family trust, or Governmental Authority.
Plan shall mean any employee pension benefit plan subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 or 430 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA and in respect of which any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate is (or if such plan were terminated would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an employer as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.
Platform shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17(b).
primary obligor shall have the meaning given such term in the definition of the term Guarantee.
Prime Rate shall mean for any day, the prime rate of interest per annum published from time to time in the Bonds, Rates & Yields section of The Wall Street Journal or in any successor publication to The Wall Street Journal. Borrower understands that the Prime Rate may not be the best, lowest, or most favored rate, and any representation or warranty in that regard is expressly disclaimed. Borrower acknowledges that (i) if more than one prime rate is published at any time by The Wall Street Journal, the highest of such prime rates shall constitute the Prime Rate hereunder, and (ii) if at any time The Wall Street Journal ceases to publish a prime rate, the Administrative Agent shall have the right to select a substitute rate that the Administrative Agent determines, in the exercise of its reasonable commercial discretion, to be comparable to such prime rate, and the substituted rate as so selected, upon the sending of written notice thereof to Borrower, shall constitute the Prime Rate hereunder. Upon each increase or decrease hereafter in the Prime Rate, the rate of interest upon the unpaid principal balance of the ABR Loans shall be increased or decreased by the same amount as the increase or decrease in the Prime Rate, such increase or decrease to become effective as of the day of each such change in the Prime Rate and without notice to Borrower or any other Person. The Prime Rate is a reference rate and does not necessarily represent the lowest or best rate actually charged to any customer of any Lender. The Lenders may make commercial loans or other loans at rates of interest at, above or below the Prime Rate.
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Pro Forma Basis shall mean, as to any Person, for any events as described in clauses (a) and (b) below that occur subsequent to the commencement of a period for which the financial effect of such events is being calculated, and giving effect to the events for which such calculation is being made, such calculation as will give pro forma effect to such events as if such events occurred on the first day of the four consecutive fiscal quarter period ended on or before the occurrence of such event (the Reference Period ):
(a) in making any determination of EBITDA on a Pro Forma Basis, pro forma effect shall be given to any Asset Disposition and to any Asset Acquisition (or any similar transaction or transactions that require a waiver or consent of the Required Lenders pursuant to Section 6.04 or 6.05), in each case that occurred during the Reference Period (or, unless the context otherwise requires, occurring during the Reference Period or thereafter and through and including the date upon which the respective Asset Acquisition or Asset Disposition is consummated); and
(b) in making any determination on a Pro Forma Basis, (x) all Indebtedness (including Indebtedness incurred or assumed and for which the financial effect is being calculated, whether incurred under this Agreement or otherwise, but excluding normal fluctuations in revolving Indebtedness incurred for working capital purposes) incurred or permanently repaid during the Reference Period shall be deemed to have been incurred or repaid at the beginning of such period, (y) Interest Expense of such Person attributable to interest on any Indebtedness, for which pro forma effect is being given as provided in preceding clause (x), bearing floating interest rates shall be computed on a pro forma basis as if the rates that would have been in effect during the period for which pro forma effect is being given had been actually in effect during such periods and (z) with respect to distributions made pursuant to Section 6.06(e), pro forma effect shall be given to the decrease in cash and Permitted Investments resulting from such distributions.
Pro forma calculations made pursuant to the definition of the term Pro Forma Basis shall be determined in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and, for any fiscal period ending on or prior to the first anniversary of an Asset Acquisition or Asset Disposition (or any similar transaction or transactions that require a waiver or consent of the Required Lenders pursuant to Section 6.04 or 6.05), may include adjustments to reflect operating expense reductions and other operating improvements or synergies reasonably expected to result from such Asset Acquisition, Asset Disposition or other similar transaction, to the extent that the Borrower delivers to the Administrative Agent (i) a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower setting forth such operating expense reductions and other operating improvements or synergies and (ii) information and calculations supporting in reasonable detail such estimated operating expense reductions and other operating improvements or synergies.
Projections shall mean the projections and any forward-looking statements (including statements with respect to booked business) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries furnished to the Lenders or the Administrative Agent by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries prior to the Closing Date.
Property means any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible.
Public Lender shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17(b).
Qualified ECP Credit Party means, with respect to any Benefitting Loan Party in respect of any Swap Obligation, each Loan Party that, at the time of the guarantee by such Benefitting Loan Party of such Swap Obligation is entered into or becomes effective with respect to, or at any other time such Benefitting Loan Party is by virtue of such guarantee deemed to enter into, such Swap Obligation, constitutes an Eligible Contract Participant and can cause such Benefitting Loan Party to qualify as an Eligible Contract Participant at such time by entering into a keepwell under Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
Reference Period shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term Pro Forma Basis.
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Refinance shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, and Refinanced shall have a meaning correlative thereto.
Register shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b)(iv).
Regulation D shall mean Regulation D of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.
Regulation U shall mean Regulation U of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.
Regulation X shall mean Regulation X of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.
Related Parties shall mean, with respect to any specified Person, such Persons Affiliates and the respective partners, directors, officers, employees, members, managers and agents of such Person and such Persons Affiliates.
Release shall mean any placing, spilling, leaking, seepage, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, disposing or depositing in, into or onto the Environment.
Remaining Present Value shall mean, as of any date with respect to any lease, the present value as of such date of the scheduled future lease payments with respect to such lease, determined with a discount rate equal to a market rate of interest for such lease reasonably determined at the time such lease was entered into.
Reportable Event shall mean any reportable event as defined in Section 4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder, other than those events as to which the 30-day notice period has been waived, with respect to a Plan.
Required Lenders shall mean, at any time, Lenders having (a) Loans outstanding, (b) Revolving L/C Exposures, (c) Swingline Facility Credit Exposure, and (d) Available Unused Commitments, that taken together, represent more than 50% of the sum of all (w) Loans outstanding, (x) Revolving L/C Exposures, (y) Swingline Facility Credit Exposure and (z) the total Available Unused Commitments at such time.
Responsible Officer of any Person shall mean any executive officer, Financial Officer, director, general partner, managing member or sole member of such Person and any other officer or similar official thereof responsible for the administration of the obligations of such Person in respect of this Agreement.
Revolving Facility shall mean the Revolving Facility Commitments and the extensions of credit made hereunder by the Revolving Facility Lenders.
Revolving Facility Borrowing shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Revolving Facility Loans.
Revolving Facility Commitment shall mean, with respect to each Revolving Facility Lender, the commitment of such Revolving Facility Lender to make Eurodollar Loans and ABR Loans pursuant to Section 2.01 representing the maximum aggregate permitted amount of such Revolving Facility Lenders Revolving Facility Credit Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.08 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to
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assignments by or to such Lender under Section 9.04. The initial amount of each Revolving Facility Lenders Revolving Facility Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01 , or in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which such Revolving Facility Lender shall have assumed its Revolving Facility Commitment, as applicable. The aggregate amount of the Revolving Facility Commitments on the Closing Date is U.S. $100,000,000. To the extent applicable, Revolving Facility Commitments shall include the Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments of any Incremental Revolving Facility Lender.
Revolving Facility Credit Exposure shall mean, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Facility Loans outstanding at such time and (b) the Revolving L/C Exposure at such time. The Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of any Revolving Facility Lender at any time shall be the sum of (a) the aggregate principal amount of such Revolving Facility Lenders Revolving Facility Loans outstanding at such time and (b) such Revolving Facility Lenders Revolving Facility Percentage of the Revolving L/C Exposure at such time.
Revolving Facility Lender shall mean a Lender with a Revolving Facility Commitment or with outstanding Revolving Facility Loans (including any Incremental Revolving Facility Lender).
Revolving Facility Loan shall mean a Loan made to the Borrower by a Revolving Facility Lender pursuant to Section 2.01 or an Incremental Revolving Facility Lender pursuant to Section 2.20. Each Revolving Facility Loan shall be a Eurodollar Loan or an ABR Loan.
Revolving Facility Maturity Date shall mean August 14, 2018 (or if such date is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day, unless such Business Day is in the next calendar month, in which case the next preceding Business Day).
Revolving Facility Percentage shall mean, with respect to any Revolving Facility Lender, the percentage of the total Revolving Facility Commitments represented by such Lenders Revolving Facility Commitment. If the Revolving Facility Commitments have terminated or expired, the Revolving Facility Percentages shall be determined based upon the Revolving Facility Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments pursuant to Section 9.04.
Revolving L/C Commitment shall mean, with respect to each Issuing Bank, the commitment of such Issuing Bank to issue Revolving Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 2.05, as such commitment may be (a) ratably reduced from time to time upon any reduction in the Revolving Facility Commitments pursuant to Section 2.08 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Issuing Bank under Section 9.04. The amount of each Issuing Banks Revolving L/C Commitment as of the Closing Date is set forth in Schedule 2.01 , or in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which such Issuing Bank shall have assumed its Revolving L/C Commitment, as applicable. The aggregate amount of the Revolving L/C Commitments of the Issuing Bank on the date hereof is U.S. $20,000,000.
Revolving L/C Disbursement shall mean a payment or disbursement made by an Issuing Bank pursuant to a Revolving Letter of Credit.
Revolving L/C Exposure shall mean at any time the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all Revolving Letters of Credit outstanding at such time and (b) the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving L/C Disbursements that have not yet been reimbursed at such time. The Revolving L/C Exposure of any Revolving Facility Lender at any time shall mean its Revolving Facility Percentage of the aggregate Revolving L/C Exposure at such time.
Revolving L/C Participation Fees shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.12(b).
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Revolving L/C Reimbursement Obligation shall mean the Borrowers obligation to repay Revolving L/C Disbursements as provided in Sections 2.05(e) and (f).
Revolving Letter of Credit shall mean any commercial/documentary letter of credit or standby letter of credit issued pursuant to Section 2.05.
S&P shall mean Standard & Poors Ratings Services, Inc., a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Sale and Lease-Back Transaction shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.03.
SEC shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto.
Securities Act shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and any successor statute.
Statutory Reserves shall mean a fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal established by the Board and any other banking authority, domestic or foreign, to which the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank (including any branch, Affiliate or other fronting office making or holding a Loan or issuing a Revolving Letter of Credit) is subject for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as Eurocurrency Liabilities in Regulation D). Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to constitute eurocurrency funding and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank under such Regulation D or any comparable regulation. Statutory Reserves shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.
Subordinated Intercompany Debt shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.01(e).
Subsidiary shall mean, with respect to any Person (herein referred to as the parent ), any corporation, partnership, association, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, at the time any determination is being made, directly or indirectly, owned, Controlled or held by such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a Subsidiary or to Subsidiaries shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower.
Supplemental Administrative Agent shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.13(a).
Swap Agreement shall mean any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions, provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Agreement.
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Swap Obligation means, with respect to any Loan Party, any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a swap within the meaning of section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act, including any such obligation comprised of a guaranty or a security interest or other Lien.
Swap Provider means any Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender who has entered into a Swap Agreement with Borrower or its Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
Swingline Facility shall mean the Swingline Facility Commitment and the extensions of credit made hereunder by the Swingline Facility Lender.
Swingline Facility Borrowing shall mean a Borrowing comprised of a Swingline Facility Loan.
Swingline Facility Borrowing Request shall mean a request by the Borrower for a Swingline Facility Borrowing in accordance with the terms of Section 2.23 and substantially in the form of Exhibit C-2 .
Swingline Facility Commitment shall mean, with respect to the Swingline Facility Lender, the commitment of such Swingline Facility Lender to make ABR Loans pursuant to Section 2.23 representing the maximum aggregate permitted amount of such Swingline Facility Lenders Swingline Facility Credit Exposure hereunder. The amount of the Swingline Facility Lenders Swingline Facility Commitment on the Closing Date is U.S. $10,000,000.
Swingline Facility Credit Exposure shall mean, with respect to the Swingline Facility Lender, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of the Swingline Facility Loans outstanding at such time. The Swingline Facility Credit Exposure of any Revolving Facility Lender other than the Swingline Facility Lender at any time shall be its Revolving Facility Percentage of the total Swingline Facility Credit Exposure at such time.
Swingline Facility Lender shall mean Amegy.
Swingline Facility Loan shall mean a Loan made to the Borrower by the Swingline Facility Lender pursuant to Section 2.23. Each Swingline Facility Loan shall be an ABR Loan.
Syndication Agent shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
Taxes shall mean any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings (including backup withholding) imposed by any Governmental Authority and any and all additions to tax, interest and penalties related thereto.
Test Period shall mean, at any date of determination, the most recently completed four consecutive fiscal quarters of FINV ending on or prior to such date.
364-Day Credit Facility means the revolving credit facility of the Borrower under that certain 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of August 14, 2013, among the Borrower, Amegy Bank National Association, as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto, together with any and all other amendments and supplements thereto.
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Transactions shall mean, collectively, the transactions to occur on, prior to or immediately after the Closing Date pursuant to the Loan Documents, including (a) the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the initial borrowings hereunder; (b) the execution and delivery of the loan documents pertaining to the 364-Day Credit Facility; and (c) the payment of all fees and expenses owing in connection with the foregoing.
Trigger Date shall mean the first date of delivery of financial statements after the Closing Date pursuant to Section 5.04(a) or (b).
Type, when used in respect of any Loan or Borrowing, shall refer to the Rate by reference to which interest on such Loan or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing is determined. For purposes hereof, the term Rate shall include the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate and the Alternate Base Rate.
UCC shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the applicable jurisdiction.
United States means the United States of America.
U.S. Dollars or U.S.$ shall mean the lawful currency of the United States.
U.S.A. PATRIOT Act shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.08(a).
Wholly Owned Subsidiary of any Person shall mean a Subsidiary of such Person, all of the Equity Interests of which (other than directors qualifying shares or nominee or other similar shares required pursuant to applicable law) are owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person or any other Wholly Owned Subsidiary of such Person.
Withholding Agent shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 2.17(a).
Withdrawal Liability shall mean liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.
Section 1.02 Terms Generally. The definitions set forth or referred to in Section 1.01 shall apply equally to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words include, includes and including shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase without limitation. All references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be deemed references to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement unless the context shall otherwise require. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, any reference in this Agreement to any Loan Document shall mean such document as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all financial statements to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis ( GAAP ) and all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time.
Section 1.03 Effectuation of Transfers. Each of the representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in this Agreement (and all corresponding definitions) are made after giving effect to the Transactions, unless the context otherwise requires.
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ARTICLE II
THE CREDITS
Section 2.01 Commitments . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Revolving Facility Lender agrees to make Revolving Facility Loans, in each case from time to time during the Availability Period, comprised of Eurodollar Loans and ABR Loans to the Borrower in U.S. Dollars in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in (i) such Lenders Revolving Facility Credit Exposure exceeding such Lenders Revolving Facility Commitment and (ii) the Revolving Facility Credit Exposure exceeding the total Revolving Facility Commitments. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Facility Loans. The Revolving Facility shall be available as ABR Loans or Eurodollar Loans.
Section 2.02 Loans and Borrowings. (a) Each Loan to the Borrower shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans of the same Type and in the same currency made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments under the Revolving Facility; provided, however, that Revolving Facility Loans shall be made by the Revolving Facility Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Revolving Facility Percentages on the date such Loans are made hereunder. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan or fund its participation in any Revolving L/C Disbursement or Swingline Facility Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided that the Commitments of the Lenders are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lenders failure to make Loans or fund participations in Revolving L/C Disbursements or Swingline Facility Loans as required.
(b) Each Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Eurodollar Loans as the Borrower may request in accordance herewith.
(c) At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of the Borrowing Multiple and not less than the Borrowing Minimum. At the time that each ABR Borrowing by the Borrower is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of the Borrowing Multiple and not less than the Borrowing Minimum; provided that an ABR Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused balance of the Revolving Facility Commitments or that is required to finance the reimbursement of a Revolving L/C Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.05(e) or to finance its purchase of a risk participation in a Swingline Facility Loan as contemplated by Section 2.23(c). Borrowings of more than one Type may be outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not at any time be more than a total of five (5) Interest Periods in respect of Borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Facility.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower shall not be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Revolving Facility Maturity Date.
Section 2.03 Requests for Borrowings. To request a Revolving Facility Borrowing, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone (i) in the case of a Borrowing consisting of Eurodollar Loans, not later than 10:00 a.m., Houston, Texas time, three (3) Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing or (ii) in the case of a Borrowing consisting of ABR Loans, not later than 11:00 a.m., Houston, Texas time on the date of such Borrowing. Each such telephonic Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly (but in any event on the same day) by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request signed by the Borrower. Each such telephonic and written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:
(a) the aggregate amount of the requested Borrowing;
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(b) the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;
(c) whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing;
(d) in the case of a Borrowing consisting of a Eurodollar Loan, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto; and
(e) the location and number of the Borrowers account to which funds are to be disbursed.
If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified, then the requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Eurodollar Borrowing, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one months duration. Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lenders Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.
Section 2.04 Reserved .
Section 2.05 Revolving Letters of Credit . (a) General . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may request the issuance of Revolving Letters of Credit denominated in U.S. Dollars for its own account or on behalf of any other Loan Party in a form reasonably acceptable to the applicable Issuing Bank, at any time and from time to time during the Availability Period and prior to the date that is five (5) Business Days prior to the Revolving Facility Maturity Date. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any form of letter of credit application or other agreement submitted by the Borrower to, or entered into by the Borrower with, an Issuing Bank relating to any Revolving Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control.
(b) Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Renewal, Extension; Certain Conditions . To request the issuance of a Revolving Letter of Credit (or the amendment, renewal (other than an automatic renewal in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section) or extension of an outstanding Revolving Letter of Credit), the Borrower shall hand deliver or telecopy (or transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the applicable Issuing Bank) to the applicable Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent two (2) Business Days in advance of the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension, a notice requesting the issuance of a Revolving Letter of Credit, or identifying the Revolving Letter of Credit to be amended, renewed or extended, and specifying the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (which shall be a Business Day), the date on which such Revolving Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with paragraph (c) of this Section), the amount of such Revolving Letter of Credit, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof and such other information as shall be necessary to issue, amend, renew or extend such Revolving Letter of Credit. If requested by the applicable Issuing Bank, the Borrower also shall submit a letter of credit application on such Issuing Banks standard form in connection with any request for a Revolving Letter of Credit. A Revolving Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended, renewed or extended only if (and upon issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of each Revolving Letter of Credit the Borrower shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension, (i) the Revolving Facility Credit Exposure shall not exceed the total Revolving Facility Commitments and (ii) the aggregate available amount of all Revolving Letters of Credit issued by any Issuing Bank shall not exceed such Issuing Banks Revolving L/C Commitment.
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(c) Expiration Date . Each Revolving Letter of Credit shall expire at or prior to the close of business on the earlier of (A) unless the applicable Issuing Bank agrees to a later expiration date, the date one (1) year after the date of the issuance of such Revolving Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any renewal or extension thereof, one year after such renewal or extension) and (B) the date that is five (5) Business Days prior to the Revolving Facility Maturity Date; provided that any Revolving Letter of Credit with a one-year tenor may provide for the automatic renewal thereof for additional one-year periods (which, in no event, shall extend beyond the date referred to in clause (B) of this paragraph (c)).
(d) Participations . By the issuance of a Revolving Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Revolving Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) and without any further action on the part of the applicable Issuing Bank or the Revolving Facility Lenders, such Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Revolving Facility Lender, and each Revolving Facility Lender hereby acquires from such Issuing Bank, a participation in such Revolving Letter of Credit equal to such Revolving Facility Lenders Revolving Facility Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Revolving Letter of Credit. In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Revolving Facility Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent in U.S. Dollars such Revolving Facility Lenders Revolving Facility Percentage of each Revolving L/C Disbursement made by such Issuing Bank not reimbursed by the Borrower on the date due as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section, or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason. Each Revolving Facility Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this paragraph in respect of Revolving Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, renewal or extension of any Revolving Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default or Event of Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.
(e) Reimbursement . If the applicable Issuing Bank shall make any Revolving L/C Disbursement in respect of a Revolving Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall reimburse such Revolving L/C Disbursement by paying to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to such Revolving L/C Disbursement in U.S. Dollars, not later than 2:00 p.m., Houston, Texas time, on the Business Day immediately following the date the Borrower receives notice under paragraph (g) of this Section of such Revolving L/C Disbursement; provided that the Borrower may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with Section 2.03 that such payment be financed with an ABR Loan in an equivalent amount, and, in each case to the extent so financed, the Borrowers obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting Loan or Borrowing, as applicable. If the Borrower fails to reimburse any Revolving L/C Disbursement when due, then the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the applicable Issuing Bank and each other Revolving Facility Lender of the applicable Revolving L/C Disbursement, the payment then due from the Borrower and, in the case of a Revolving Facility Lender, such Lenders Revolving Facility Percentage thereof. Promptly following receipt of such notice, each Revolving Facility Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent in U.S. Dollars its Revolving Facility Percentage of the payment then due from the Borrower, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.06 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.06 shall apply, mutatis mutandis , to the payment obligations of the Revolving Facility Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the applicable Issuing Bank in U.S. Dollars the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Facility Lenders. Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the Borrower pursuant to this paragraph, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the applicable Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Revolving Facility Lenders have made payments pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse such Issuing Bank, then to such Lenders and such Issuing Bank as their interests may appear. Any payment made by a Revolving Facility Lender pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse an Issuing Bank for any Revolving L/C Disbursement (other than the funding of an ABR Loan as contemplated above) shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such Revolving L/C Disbursement.
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(f) Obligations Absolute . The obligation of the Borrower to reimburse Revolving L/C Disbursements as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Revolving Letter of Credit or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein, (ii) any draft or other document presented under a Revolving Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment by the applicable Issuing Bank under a Revolving Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not strictly comply with the terms of such Revolving Letter of Credit or (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Borrowers obligations hereunder; provided that, in each case, payment by the Issuing Bank shall not have constituted gross negligence or willful misconduct. Neither the Administrative Agent, the Lenders nor any Issuing Bank, nor any of their Related Parties, shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Revolving Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Revolving Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of such Issuing Bank; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse the applicable Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential or exemplary damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrower that are determined by a court having jurisdiction to have been caused by (A) such Issuing Banks failure to exercise reasonable care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Revolving Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof or (B) such Issuing Banks wrongful refusal to issue a Revolving Letter of Credit in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the applicable Issuing Bank, such Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in each such determination and each refusal to issue a Revolving Letter of Credit. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented which appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Revolving Letter of Credit, the applicable Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Revolving Letter of Credit.
(g) Disbursement Procedures . The applicable Issuing Bank shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Revolving Letter of Credit. Such Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of such demand for payment and whether such Issuing Bank has made or will make a Revolving L/C Disbursement thereunder; provided that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such Issuing Bank and the Revolving Facility Lenders with respect to any such Revolving L/C Disbursement.
(h) Interim Interest . If an Issuing Bank shall make any Revolving L/C Disbursement, then, unless the Borrower shall reimburse such Revolving L/C Disbursement in full on the date such Revolving L/C Disbursement is made, the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from
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and including the date such Revolving L/C Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the Borrower reimburses such Revolving L/C Disbursement, at the rate per annum equal to the rate per annum then applicable to ABR Loans; provided that, if such Revolving L/C Disbursement is not reimbursed by the Borrower when due pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section, then Section 2.13(c) shall apply. Interest accrued pursuant to this paragraph shall be for the account of the applicable Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Revolving Facility Lender pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section to reimburse such Issuing Bank shall be for the account of such Revolving Facility Lender to the extent of such payment.
(i) Replacement of an Issuing Bank . An Issuing Bank may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the replaced Issuing Bank and the successor Issuing Bank. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such replacement of an Issuing Bank. At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.12. From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (i) the successor Issuing Bank shall have all the rights and obligations of the replaced Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Revolving Letters of Credit to be issued thereafter and (ii) references herein to the term Issuing Bank shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous Issuing Bank, or to such successor and all previous Issuing Banks, as the context shall require. After the replacement of an Issuing Bank hereunder, the replaced Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of such Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Revolving Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such replacement but shall not be required to issue additional Revolving Letters of Credit.
(j) Cash Collateralization . If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, (i) in the case of an Event of Default described in Section 7.01(h) or 7.01(i), as provided in the following proviso, and (ii) in the case of any other Event of Default, on the third Business Day following the date on which the Borrower receives notice from the Administrative Agent demanding the deposit of cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph, the Borrower shall deposit in an account with the Administrative Agent (or an account in the name of the Administrative Agent with another institution designated by the Administrative Agent), in the name of the Administrative Agent and for the benefit of the Lenders, an amount in cash in U.S. Dollars equal to the aggregate Revolving L/C Exposure of the Lenders as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon; provided that, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to the Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of Section 7.01, the obligation to deposit such cash collateral shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable in U.S. Dollars, without demand or other notice of any kind. The Borrower also shall deposit cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph as and to the extent required by Section 2.11(b) and/or Section 2.22(c)(ii). Each such deposit pursuant to this paragraph or pursuant to Section 2.11(b) and/or Section 2.22(c)(ii) shall be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, such account. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of (A) for so long as an Event of Default shall be continuing, the Administrative Agent and (B) at any other time, the Borrower, in each case, in term deposits constituting Permitted Investments and at the risk and expense of the Borrower, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account. Moneys in such account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse each Issuing Bank for Revolving L/C Disbursements for which such Issuing Bank has not been reimbursed (or to repay the Swingline Facility Lender for Swingline Facility Loans which have not been purchased by a Defaulting Lender and remain outstanding) and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the Revolving L/C Reimbursement Obligations of the Borrower for the Revolving L/C Exposure at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans to the Borrower has been accelerated (but subject to the consent of Revolving Facility Lenders with Revolving L/C
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Exposure representing greater than 50% of the total Revolving L/C Exposure), be applied to satisfy other obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement. If the Borrower is required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower within three (3) Business Days after all Events of Default have been cured or waived. If the Borrower is required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder pursuant to Section 2.11(b), such amount together with interest thereon (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower as and to the extent that, after giving effect to such return, the Borrower would remain in compliance with Section 2.11(b) and no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. If the Borrower is required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder pursuant to Section 2.22(c)(ii), such amount together with interest thereon (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower as and when the Defaulting Lender is deemed, in accordance with Section 2.22(f), to have adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender; provided no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
(k) Additional Issuing Banks . From time to time, the Borrower may by notice to the Administrative Agent designate up to two Lenders that agree (in their sole discretion) to act in such capacity and are reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent as additional Issuing Banks. Each such additional Issuing Bank shall execute a counterpart of this Agreement upon the approval of the Administrative Agent (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) and shall thereafter be an Issuing Bank hereunder for all purposes.
(l) Reporting . Each Issuing Bank shall (i) provide to the Administrative Agent copies of any notice received from the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.05(b) no later than the next Business Day after receipt thereof, (ii) provide the Administrative Agent with a copy of the Revolving Letter of Credit, or the amendment, renewal or extension of the Revolving Letter of Credit, as applicable, on the Business Day on which such Issuing Bank issues, amends, renews or extends any Revolving Letter of Credit, (iii) on each Business Day on which such Issuing Bank makes any Revolving L/C Disbursement, advise the Administrative Agent of the date of such Revolving L/C Disbursement and the amount of such Revolving L/C Disbursement and (iv) on any other Business Day, furnish the Administrative Agent with such other information as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request. If requested by any Lender, the Administrative Agent shall provide copies to such Lender of the documents referred to in clause (ii) of the preceding sentence.
Section 2.06 Funding of Borrowings . (a) Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it to the Borrower hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 1:00 p.m., Houston, Texas time, to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders; provided that Swingline Facility Loans shall be made as provided in Section 2.23(b). Each Lender may, at its option, make any Loan available to the Borrower by causing any foreign or domestic branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of such Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrower by promptly crediting the amounts so received, in like funds, to such account of the Borrower as is designated by the Borrower in the Borrowing Request; provided that ABR Loans made to finance the reimbursement of a Revolving L/C Disbursement and reimbursements as provided in Section 2.05(e) shall be remitted by the Administrative Agent to the applicable Issuing Bank.
(b) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed time of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lenders share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with paragraph (a) of this Section and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if
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a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand (without duplication) such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation or (ii) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to ABR Loans. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lenders Loan included in such Borrowing.
Section 2.07 Interest Elections . (a) Each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request. Thereafter, the Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section. The Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing. This Section 2.07, as it refers to Types of Loans, shall not apply to Swingline Facility Loans, which may not be converted or continued.
(b) To make an election pursuant to this Section, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by telephone by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if the Borrower were requesting a Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election. Each such telephonic Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly (but in any event on the same day) by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest Election Request signed by the Borrower.
(c) Each telephonic and written Interest Election Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:
(i) the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);
(ii) the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;
(iii) whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing; and
(iv) if the resulting Borrowing is a Eurodollar Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election.
If any such Interest Election Request made by the Borrower requests a Eurodollar Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one months duration.
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(d) Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender to which such Interest Election Request relates of the details thereof and of such Lenders portion of each resulting Borrowing.
(e) If the Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to one of its Eurodollar Borrowings prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period, the Borrower shall be deemed to have converted such Borrowing to an ABR Borrowing. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the written request (including a request through electronic means) of the Required Lenders (unless such Event of Default is an Event of Default under Section 7.01(h) or (i), in which case no such request shall be required), so notifies the Borrower, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing, (i) no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid, each Eurodollar Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto.
Section 2.08 Termination and Reduction of Commitments . (a) Unless previously terminated, the Revolving Facility Commitments shall terminate on the Revolving Facility Maturity Date.
(b) The Borrower may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, the Revolving Facility Commitments; provided that (i) each reduction of the Revolving Facility Commitments shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of U.S. $1,000,000 and not less than U.S. $5,000,000 (or, if less, the remaining amount of the Revolving Facility Commitments), and (ii) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Revolving Facility Commitments if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Revolving Facility Loans by the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.11, the sum of (x) the Revolving Facility Credit Exposure plus (y) the Swingline Facility Credit Exposure would exceed the total Revolving Facility Commitments .
(c) The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Revolving Facility Commitments under paragraph (b) of this Section at least three (3) Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination of the Revolving Facility Commitments delivered by the Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Any termination or reduction of the Revolving Facility Commitments shall be permanent; provided that a notice of termination of Revolving Facility Commitments may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of another credit facility or facilities as specified therein, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Each reduction of the Revolving Facility Commitments shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Revolving Facility Commitments.
Section 2.09 Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt . (a) The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Facility Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Facility Loan on the Revolving Facility Maturity Date, and (ii) to the Swingline Facility Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Swingline Facility Loan on the earlier of the Revolving Facility Maturity Date and the first date after such Swingline Facility Loan is made that is the 15th or last day of a calendar month and is at least two Business Days after such Swingline Facility Loan is made; provided that on each date that a Revolving
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Facility Loan is made, the Borrower shall repay all Swingline Facility Loans then outstanding; provided further , that all Loans shall be paid on such earlier date upon which the maturity of the Loans shall have been accelerated pursuant to Section 7.01.
(b) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.
(c) The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it shall record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder and the Type thereof and the Interest Period (if any) applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable to each Lender hereunder, and (iii) any amount received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lenders share thereof.
(d) The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c) of this Section shall be prima facie evidence absent manifest error of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans made in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(e) Loans made by a Lender shall be evidenced by a promissory note substantially in the form of Exhibit G . The Borrower shall prepare, execute and deliver to each Lender a Note payable to such Lender. Thereafter, the Loans evidenced by such Note and interest thereon shall at all times (including, to the extent requested by any assignee, after assignment pursuant to Section 9.04) be represented by one or more Notes in such form payable to the payee named therein.
Section 2.10 Repayment of Loans . (a) To the extent not previously paid, all Revolving Facility Loans and all Swingline Facility Loans shall be due and payable on the Revolving Facility Maturity Date.
(b) Prior to any repayment of any Revolving Facility Borrowing, the Borrower shall select the Revolving Facility Borrowing or Revolving Facility Borrowings to be repaid and shall notify the Administrative Agent by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of such selection not later than 1:00 p.m., Houston, Texas time, (i) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, one Business Day before the scheduled date of such repayment and (ii) in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, three Business Days before the scheduled date of such repayment. Each repayment of a Revolving Facility Borrowing shall be applied to the Revolving Facility Loans included in the repaid Revolving Facility Borrowing such that each Revolving Facility Lender receives its ratable share of such repayment (based upon the respective Revolving Facility Credit Exposures of the Revolving Facility Lenders at the time of such repayment).
(c) Prior to any repayment of any Swingline Facility Borrowing, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) not later than 1:00 p.m., Houston, Texas time, one Business Day before the scheduled date of such repayment.
Section 2.11 Prepayment of Loans . (a) The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay Revolving Facility Loans in whole or in part, without premium or penalty (but subject to Section 2.16), in an aggregate principal amount that is an integral multiple of the Borrowing Multiple and not less than the Borrowing Minimum or, if less, the amount outstanding, subject to prior notice in the form of Exhibit B hereto provided in accordance with Section 2.10(b). The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay Swingline Facility Loans to the
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Swingline Facility Lender in whole or in part, without premium or penalty, in an aggregate principal amount that is an integral multiple of the Borrowing Multiple and not less than the Borrowing Minimum or, if less, the amount outstanding, subject to prior notice in the form of Exhibit B hereto provided in accordance with Section 2.10(c).
(b) If on any date, the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Revolving Facility Credit Exposure exceeds the aggregate Revolving Facility Commitments of the Lenders on such date, the Borrower shall, as soon as practicable and in any event within two Business Days following such date, prepay the outstanding principal amount of any Revolving Facility Loans (and, to the extent after giving effect to such prepayment, the Revolving Facility Credit Exposure still exceeds the aggregate Revolving Facility Commitments of the Lenders, deposit cash collateral in an account with the Administrative Agent (or an account in the name of the Administrative Agent with another institution designated by the Administrative Agent) pursuant to Section 2.05(j)) such that the aggregate amount so prepaid by the Borrower and cash collateral so deposited in an account with the Administrative Agent (or an account in the name of the Administrative Agent with another institution designated by the Administrative Agent) pursuant to Section 2.05(j)) shall be sufficient to reduce such sum to an amount not to exceed the aggregate Revolving Facility Commitments of the Lenders on such date together with any interest accrued to the date of such prepayment on the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Facility Loans prepaid. The Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice of any prepayment required under this Section 2.11(b) to the Borrower and the Lenders.
(c) In the event of any termination of all the Revolving Facility Commitments, the Borrower shall, on the date of such termination, repay or prepay all its outstanding Revolving Facility Loans and terminate all its outstanding Revolving Letters of Credit and/or cash collateralize such Revolving Letters of Credit in accordance with Section 2.05(j). If as a result of any partial reduction of the Revolving Facility Commitments, the aggregate Revolving Facility Exposure would exceed the aggregate Revolving Facility Commitments of all Revolving Facility Lenders after giving effect thereto, then the Borrower shall, on the date of such reduction, repay or prepay Revolving Facility Loans and/or cash collateralize Revolving Letters of Credit in an amount sufficient to eliminate such excess.
Section 2.12 Fees . (a) The Borrower agrees to pay to each Lender, without duplication of any other amounts paid to such Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender), through the Administrative Agent, three Business Days after the last day of March, June, September and December in each year, and on the date on which the Revolving Facility Commitments of all the Lenders shall be terminated as provided herein, a commitment fee (a Commitment Fee ) on the daily amount of the Available Unused Commitment of such Lender during the preceding quarter up until the last day of such quarter (or other period commencing with the Closing Date (or the last date on which such fee was paid) and ending with the last day of such quarter or the Revolving Facility Maturity Date or the date on which the last of the Commitments of such Lender shall be terminated, as applicable) at the applicable Commitment Fee specified in the definition of Applicable Margin.
All Commitment Fees shall be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in a year of 360 days. The Commitment Fee due to each Lender shall begin to accrue on the Closing Date and shall cease to accrue on the date on which the last of the Commitments of such Lender shall be terminated as provided herein.
(b) The Borrower from time to time agrees to pay to each Revolving Facility Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender), through the Administrative Agent, three Business Days after the last day of March, June, September and December of each year and on the date on which the Revolving Facility Commitments of all the Lenders shall be terminated as provided herein, a fee (a Revolving L/C Participation Fee ) on such Lenders Revolving Facility Percentage of the daily aggregate Revolving
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L/C Exposure (excluding the portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed Revolving L/C Disbursements), during the preceding quarter (or shorter period commencing with the Closing Date (or the last date on which such fee was paid) and ending with the last day of such quarter or the Revolving Facility Maturity Date or the date on which the Revolving Facility Commitments shall be terminated, as applicable) at (x) in the case of standby letters of credit, the rate per annum equal to the Revolving Facility Loans Eurodollar Spread specified in the definition of Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Revolving Facility Borrowings effective for each day in such period and (y) in the case of documentary or commercial letters of credit, 1% per annum.
(c) The Borrower from time to time agrees to pay to each Issuing Bank, for its own account, (x) on the last Business Day of March, June, September and December of each year and on the date on which the Revolving Facility Commitments of all the Lenders shall terminate as provided herein, a fronting fee in an amount equal to the greater of $300 or 0.125% per annum of the daily average stated amount of such Revolving Letter of Credit, in respect of each Revolving Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank for the period from and including the date of issuance of such Revolving Letter of Credit to and including the termination of such Revolving Letter of Credit, plus (y) in connection with the issuance, amendment or transfer of any such Revolving Letter of Credit or any Revolving L/C Disbursement thereunder, such Issuing Banks customary documentary and processing charges (collectively, Issuing Bank Fees ). All Revolving L/C Participation Fees and Issuing Bank Fees that are payable on a per annum basis shall be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in a year of 360 days.
(d) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Administrative Agent, the fee set forth in the Fee Letter at the times specified therein or such other administrative fee as agreed between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing (such fees, the Administrative Agent Fees ) and to pay all other fees due and payable pursuant to the Fee Letter.
(e) All Fees shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent for distribution, if and as appropriate, among the Lenders, except that Issuing Bank Fees shall be paid directly to the applicable Issuing Banks. Once paid, none of the Fees shall be refundable under any circumstances.
Section 2.13 Interest . (a) The Borrower shall pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each ABR Loan and each Swingline Facility Loan at the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin.
(b) The Borrower shall pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Eurodollar Loan at the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Eurodollar Loan plus the Applicable Margin.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any principal of or interest on any Loan or any Fees or other amount payable by the Borrower hereunder is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, the Borrower shall pay interest on such overdue amount, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to (x) in the case of overdue principal of any Loan, 2.00% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section or (y) in the case of any other amount, 2.00% plus the rate applicable to ABR Loans with respect to the Revolving Facility in paragraph (a) of this Section; provided that this paragraph (c) shall not apply to any Default or Event of Default that has been waived by the Lenders pursuant to Section 9.08.
(d) Accrued interest on each Revolving Facility Loan shall be payable by the Borrower in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Revolving Facility Loan upon termination of the Revolving Facility Commitments and upon the Revolving Facility Maturity Date; provided that (x)
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interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section shall be payable on demand, (y) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Revolving Facility Loan (other than a prepayment of an ABR Loan), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (z) in the event of any conversion of any Eurodollar Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Revolving Facility Revolving Facility Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion. Accrued interest on each Swingline Facility Loan shall be payable by the Borrower upon the earliest to occur of (i) repayment of the Swingline Facility Loan, (ii) termination of the Swingline Facility Commitment and (iii) the Revolving Facility Maturity Date.
(e) All computations of interest shall be made by the Administrative Agent taking into account the actual number of days occurring in the period for which such interest is payable pursuant to this Section, and (i) if based on the Alternate Base Rate (if based on the Prime Rate), a year of 365 days or 366 days, as the case may be; or (ii) otherwise, on the basis of a year of 360 days.
Section 2.14 Alternate Rate of Interest . If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Borrowing:
(a) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period; or
(b) the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making or maintaining their Loans included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period; then the Administrative Agent shall give written notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (x) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurodollar Borrowing shall be ineffective and such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, and (y) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing or shall be made as a Borrowing bearing interest at such rate as the Required Lenders shall agree adequately reflects the costs to the Revolving Facility Lenders of making the Loans comprising such Borrowing.
Section 2.15 Increased Costs . (a) If any Change in Law shall:
(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, FDIC insurance or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate) or Issuing Bank; or
(ii) impose on any Lender or Issuing Bank or the London interbank market any tax, costs, expenses or other condition affecting this Agreement or Loans made by such Lender or any Revolving Letter of Credit or participation therein (except in each case (A) for Indemnified Taxes indemnified pursuant to Section 2.17 and (B) Excluded Taxes);
and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making or maintaining any Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) to the Borrower or to increase the cost to such Lender or Issuing Bank of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Revolving Letter of Credit or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or Issuing
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Bank hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise) (except in each case (A) for Indemnified Taxes indemnified pursuant to Section 2.17 and (B) Excluded Taxes), then the Borrower will pay to such Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered in connection therewith.
(b) If any Lender or Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lenders or Issuing Banks capital or on the capital of such Lenders or Issuing Banks holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or any of the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank or as a consequence of the Commitments to make any of the foregoing, to a level below that which such Lender or such Issuing Bank or such Lenders or such Issuing Banks holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lenders or such Issuing Banks policies and the policies of such Lenders or such Issuing Banks holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the Borrower shall pay to such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as applicable, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Issuing Bank or such Lenders or such Issuing Banks holding company for any such reduction suffered in connection therewith.
(c) A certificate of a Lender or an Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank or its holding company, as applicable, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.
(d) Promptly after any Lender or any Issuing Bank has determined that it will make a request for increased compensation pursuant to this Section 2.15, such Lender or Issuing Bank shall notify the Borrower thereof. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lenders or Issuing Banks right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or an Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lenders or Issuing Banks intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.
Section 2.16 Break Funding Payments . In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the conversion of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Eurodollar Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto or (d) the assignment of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.19, then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event. In the case of a Eurodollar Loan, such loss, cost or expense to any Lender shall be deemed to be the amount determined by such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the principal amount of such Loan had such event not occurred, at the Eurodollar Rate that would have been applicable to such Loan, for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue a Eurodollar Loan, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for such Loan), over (ii) the amount of interest which would accrue on such principal
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amount for such period at the interest rate which such Lender would bid were it to bid, at the commencement of such period, for deposits in U.S. Dollars of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the Eurodollar market. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.
Section 2.17 Taxes . (a) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law. If a Loan Party, the Administrative Agent or any other Person acting on behalf of the Administrative Agent in regards to payments hereunder (a Withholding Agent ) shall be required by applicable law to deduct Taxes from such payments, the applicable Withholding Agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions of Indemnified Taxes applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the Administrative Agent, Lender, or Issuing Bank, as applicable, receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions or withholdings for Indemnified Taxes been made, and such Withholding Agent shall timely pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.
(b) In addition, each Loan Party shall pay any Other Taxes payable on account of any obligation of such Loan Party and upon the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, the Loan Documents, to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.
(c) Each Loan Party shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender and each Issuing Bank, within 30 days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes (other than Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes resulting from gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Administrative Agent, such Lender or such Issuing Bank, and without duplication of any amounts indemnified under Section 2.17(a)) paid by the Administrative Agent or such Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, on or with respect to any payment by or on account of any obligation of such Loan Party under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority; provided however, that a Loan Party shall not be required to make any payment pursuant to this Section 2.17(c) if the Administrative Agent or such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, makes demand for such payment more than 180 days after the earlier of (i) the date on which the relevant Governmental Authority makes written demand upon such Person for payment of such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes, and (ii) the date on which such Person has made payment of such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes (except that, if the Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted giving rise to such claims are retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effort thereof). A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability and setting forth in reasonable detail the basis and calculation for such payment or liability delivered to such Loan Party by a Lender or an Issuing Bank, or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or an Issuing Bank, shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the Lender, the Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent, as applicable.
(d) As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by a Loan Party to a Governmental Authority, such Loan Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
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(e) Each Lender or Issuing Bank that is not a United States Person as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code (a Non-U.S. Lender ) shall, to the extent it may lawfully do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, two copies of U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN (claiming the benefits of an applicable income tax treaty), W-8EXP, W-8IMY (together with any required attachments) or Form W-8ECI, or, in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender claiming exemption from U.S. federal withholding Tax under Section 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code with respect to payments of portfolio interest, a statement substantially in the form of any of Exhibits H-1-4 (as applicable) and a Form W-8BEN, or any subsequent versions thereof or successors thereto, properly completed and duly executed by such Non-U.S. Lender (with any other required forms attached) claiming complete exemption from or a reduced rate of U.S. federal withholding Tax on all payments by the Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Each Lender or Issuing Bank that is not a Non-U.S. Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, two copies of U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-9, properly completed and duly executed by such Lender or Issuing Bank, claiming complete exemption (or otherwise establishing an exemption) from U.S. backup withholding on all payments under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Such forms shall be delivered by each Lender or Issuing Bank, to the extent it may lawfully do so, on or before the date it becomes a party to this Agreement. In addition, each Lender or Issuing Bank, to the extent it may lawfully do so, shall deliver such forms promptly upon the obsolescence or invalidity of any form previously delivered by such Lender or Issuing Bank. Each Lender or Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at any time it determines that it is no longer in a position to provide any previously delivered certificate to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent (or any other form of certification adopted by the U.S. taxing authorities for such purpose). Without limiting the foregoing, any Lender or Issuing Bank that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax otherwise indemnified against by a Loan Party pursuant to this Section 2.17 with respect to payments under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower or the relevant Governmental Authority (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), to the extent such Lender or Issuing Bank is legally entitled to do so, at the time or times prescribed by applicable law such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law as may reasonably be requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to permit such payments to be made without such withholding Tax or at a reduced rate; provided that in such Lenders or Issuing Banks judgment such completion, execution or submission would not materially prejudice such Lender or Issuing Bank.
(f) If the Administrative Agent, any Lender or Issuing Bank determines, in good faith and in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by a Loan Party or with respect to which a Loan Party has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.17, it shall pay over such refund to such Loan Party (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by such Loan Party under this Section 2.17 with respect to the Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent, such Lender or Issuing Bank (including any Taxes imposed with respect to such refund) as is determined by the Administrative Agent, such Lender or Issuing Bank in good faith and in its sole discretion, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund); provided that such Loan Party, upon the request of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or Issuing Bank, agrees to repay as soon as reasonably practicable the amount paid over to such Loan Party (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Administrative Agent, such Lender or Issuing Bank in the event the Administrative Agent, such Lender or Issuing Bank is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. This paragraph shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent, any Lender or Issuing Bank to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes which it deems confidential) to the Loan Parties or any other Person.
(g) For purposes of this Section 2.17, the term Lender includes any Issuing Bank and the term applicable law includes FATCA.
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Section 2.18 Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs . (a) Unless otherwise specified, the Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of Revolving L/C Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Section 2.15, 2.16 or 2.17, or otherwise) prior to 1:00 p.m., Houston, Texas time, on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without condition or deduction for any defense, recoupment, set-off or counterclaim. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent to the applicable account designated to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent, except payments to be made directly to the Swingline Facility Lender or applicable Issuing Bank as expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.05 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension. All payments hereunder of (i) principal or interest in respect of any Loan or (ii) Revolving L/C Reimbursement Obligations shall in each case be made in U.S. Dollars. All payments of other amounts due hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made in U.S. Dollars. Any payment required to be made by the Administrative Agent hereunder shall be deemed to have been made by the time required if the Administrative Agent shall, at or before such time, have taken the necessary steps to make such payment in accordance with the regulations or operating procedures of the clearing or settlement system used by the Administrative Agent to make such payment.
(b) If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent from the Borrower to pay fully all amounts of principal, unreimbursed Revolving L/C Disbursements, interest and fees then due from the Borrower hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first , towards payment of interest and fees then due from the Borrower hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second , towards payment of principal and unreimbursed Revolving L/C Disbursements then due from the Borrower hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and unreimbursed Revolving L/C Disbursements then due to such parties.
(c) If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim, through the application of any proceeds of collateral or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Revolving Facility Loans or participations in Revolving L/C Disbursements resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Revolving Facility Loans and participations in Revolving L/C Disbursements and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in Revolving Facility Loans and participations in Revolving L/C Disbursements of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Revolving Facility Loans and participations in Revolving L/C Disbursements; provided that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price
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restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph (c) shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in Revolving L/C Disbursements to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower or any Loan Party (as to which the provisions of this paragraph (c) shall apply). The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.
(d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment by the Borrower is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the applicable Issuing Bank hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the applicable Issuing Bank, as applicable, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the applicable Issuing Bank, as applicable, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or Issuing Bank with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.
(e) If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.05(d) or (e), 2.06(b), 2.18(d) or 2.23(c), then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lenders obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid.
Section 2.19 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders . (a) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, or if any Loan Party is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or Affiliates, if, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.15 or 2.17, as applicable, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender in any material respect. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.
(b) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, or if any Loan Party is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, and, in each case, such Lender has declined or is unable to designate a different lending office in accordance with Section 2.19(a), or is a Defaulting Lender, then such Loan Party may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04, all its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Section 2.15 or 2.17) and obligations under this Agreement to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a
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Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) such Loan Party shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and, solely in the case of an assignment of Revolving Facility Commitments and/or Revolving Facility Loans, the Swingline Facility Lender and each Issuing Bank, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld or delayed, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in Revolving L/C Disbursements, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or such Loan Party (in the case of all other amounts), (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.15 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.17, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments and (iv) such assignment does not conflict with applicable law. Nothing in this Section 2.19 shall be deemed to prejudice any rights that any Loan Party may have against any Lender that is a Defaulting Lender.
(c) If any Lender (such Lender, a Non-Consenting Lender ) has failed to consent to a proposed amendment, waiver, discharge or termination which pursuant to the terms of Section 9.08 requires the consent of all of the Lenders affected and with respect to which the Required Lenders shall have granted their consent, then provided no Event of Default then exists, the Borrower shall have the right (unless such Non-Consenting Lender grants such consent) to replace such Non-Consenting Lender by requiring such Non-Consenting Lender to assign its Loans and Commitments hereunder to one or more Eligible Assignees and, solely in the case of an assignment of Revolving Facility Commitments and/or Revolving Facility Loans the Swingline Facility Lender and each Issuing Bank, provided that: (i) all Obligations of the Borrower owing to such Non-Consenting Lender being replaced shall be paid in full to such Non-Consenting Lender concurrently with such assignment, and (ii) the replacement Lender shall purchase the foregoing by paying to such Non-Consenting Lender a price equal to the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon. In connection with any such assignment the Borrower, Administrative Agent, such Non-Consenting Lender and the replacement Lender shall otherwise comply with Section 9.04.
Section 2.20 Increase in Revolving Facility Commitments . (a) At any time after the Closing Date and prior to the Revolving Facility Maturity Date, the Borrower may, by delivery of a Notice of Revolving Facility Commitment Increase to the Administrative Agent, elect to increase the existing Revolving Facility Commitments (any such increase, the Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments ), such increase, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed U.S. $150,000,000 or a lesser amount in integral multiples of U.S. $5,000,000. If the Revolving Facility Lenders do not commit to provide 100% of the Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments, then the Borrower may solicit Eligible Assignees to provide the shortfall in the Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments not provided by the Lenders. The Notice of Revolving Facility Commitment Increase shall specify the date (an Increased Amount Date ) on which the Borrower proposes that the Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments shall be made available, which shall be a date not less than 10 Business Days after the date on which such Notice of Revolving Facility Commitment Increase is delivered to the Administrative Agent. The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent in the Notice of Revolving Facility Commitment Increase of the identity of each Revolving Facility Lender or other Eligible Assignee (which in any event shall not be the Borrower or an Affiliate of the Borrower) (each, an Incremental Revolving Facility Lender , as applicable) to whom the Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments have been (in accordance with the prior sentence) allocated and the amounts of such allocations, subject to the consent of the Administrative Agent, Swingline Facility Lender and the Issuing Banks if such consent is required pursuant to Section 9.04, in each case, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided that any Lender approached to provide all or a portion of the Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments may elect or decline, in its sole and absolute discretion, to provide an Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment. Such Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments shall become effective as of such Increased Amount Date; provided that (i) no Default or Event of Default shall exist on
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such Increased Amount Date before or after giving effect to such Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments; (ii) the representations and warranties contained in Article III and the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (unless qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in which case accuracy of such qualified representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of the Increased Amount 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; (iii) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be in compliance, on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to such Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments, with the Financial Performance Covenants recomputed as at the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries; (iv) such increase in the Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments shall be evidenced by one or more Credit Agreement Joinders executed and delivered to Administrative Agent by each Incremental Revolving Facility Lender, as applicable, and each shall be recorded in the Register, and each Incremental Revolving Facility Lender shall be subject to the requirements set forth in Section 2.17(e); (v) the Borrower shall make any payments required pursuant to Section 2.16 in connection with the provisions of the Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments; (vi) the Borrower and its Affiliates shall not be permitted to commit to or participate in any Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments and (vii) the Applicable Margin for any Revolving Facility Loans made pursuant to this Section 2.20 (an Incremental Loan ) shall be the same as the then applicable Applicable Margin for the Revolving Facility and any upfront fees for any Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments shall be subject to agreement between the Administrative Agent and the Borrower. Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that, upon the effectiveness of any joinder agreements in connection with any Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments as described in the preceding sentence, this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent (but only to the extent) necessary to reflect the existence and terms of the Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments, and the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may revise this Agreement to evidence such amendments without the consent of any Lender.
(b) On any Increased Amount Date on which Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments are effected, subject to the satisfaction of the foregoing terms and conditions, (i) each of the existing Revolving Facility Lenders shall assign to each of the Incremental Revolving Facility Lenders, and each of the Incremental Revolving Facility Lenders shall purchase from each of the existing Revolving Facility Lenders, at the principal amount thereof, such interests in the outstanding Revolving Facility Loans and participations in Revolving Letters of Credit outstanding on such Increased Amount Date that will result in, after giving effect to all such assignments and purchases, such Revolving Facility Loans and participations in Revolving Letters of Credit being held by existing Revolving Facility Lenders and Incremental Revolving Facility Lenders ratably in accordance with their Revolving Facility Commitments after giving effect to the addition of such Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments to the Revolving Facility Commitments, (ii) each Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment shall be deemed for all purposes a Revolving Facility Commitment and each Loan made thereunder shall be deemed, for all purposes, a Revolving Facility Loan and have the same terms as any existing Revolving Facility Loan and (iii) each Incremental Revolving Facility Lender shall become a Lender with respect to the Revolving Facility Commitments and all matters relating thereto.
(c) The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders promptly upon receipt of a Notice of Revolving Facility Commitment Increase and, in respect thereof, the Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments and the Incremental Revolving Facility Lenders.
(d) As a condition precedent to the Borrowers incurrence of additional Indebtedness pursuant to this Section 2.20, the Borrower shall, and shall cause each Loan Party to, enter into, and deliver to the Administrative Agent, reaffirmations of the guarantees made by the Loan Parties under the Guaranty Agreement in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
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Section 2.21 Illegality . If any Lender reasonably determines that any Change in Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted after the Closing Date that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable lending office to make or maintain any Eurodollar Loans, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent, any obligations of such Lender to make or continue Eurodollar Loans or to convert ABR Borrowings to Eurodollar Borrowings, as the case may be, shall be suspended until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower shall, upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), convert all such Eurodollar Borrowings of such Lender to ABR Borrowings on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Borrowings to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Loans. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.
Section 2.22 Defaulting Lenders . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender , then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:
(a) fees shall cease to accrue on the unfunded portion of the Commitments of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.12(a);
(b) the aggregate principal amount of Loans, Revolving L/C Exposures and Available Unused Commitment of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether all Lenders, Required Lenders or affected Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment or waiver pursuant to Section 9.08); provided that (i) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender which affects such Defaulting Lender differently than other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender, (ii) the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Defaulting Lender and (iii) any amendment that reduces the principal amount of, or rate of interest on, any Loan made by such Defaulting Lender, shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender;
(c) if any Revolving L/C Exposure or Swingline Facility Credit Exposure exists at the time a Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender then:
(i) all or any part of such Revolving L/C Exposure and Swingline Facility Credit Exposure shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Revolving Facility Percentages but only to the extent (x) such reallocation does not cause the aggregate Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of any non-Defaulting Lender to exceed such non-Defaulting Lenders Revolving Facility Commitment and (y) the conditions set forth in Section 4.01 are satisfied at such time;
(ii) if the reallocation described in clause (i) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall within five Business Days following notice by the Administrative Agent cash collateralize such Defaulting Lenders Revolving L/C Exposure and/or Swingline Facility Credit Exposure (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (i) above) in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.05(j) for so long as such Revolving L/C Exposure and/or Swingline Facility Credit Exposure is outstanding;
(iii) if the Borrower cash collateralizes any portion of such Defaulting Lenders Revolving L/C Exposure pursuant to Section 2.22(c)(ii), the Borrower shall not be required to pay
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any fees to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.12 with respect to such Defaulting Lenders Revolving L/C Exposure during the period such Defaulting Lenders Revolving L/C Exposure is cash collateralized;
(iv) if the Revolving L/C Exposure of the non-Defaulting Lenders is reallocated pursuant to Section 2.22(c)(i), then the fees payable to the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.12 shall be adjusted in accordance with such non-Defaulting Lenders Revolving Facility Percentage; and
(v) if any Defaulting Lenders Revolving L/C Exposure is neither cash collateralized nor reallocated pursuant to Section 2.22(c)(i) or (ii), then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of any Issuing Bank or any Lender hereunder, all facility fees that otherwise would have been payable to such Defaulting Lender (solely with respect to the portion of such Defaulting Lenders Revolving L/C Commitment that was utilized by such Revolving L/C Exposure) and all Revolving L/C Participation Fees payable under Section 2.12(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lenders Revolving L/C Exposure shall be payable to the applicable Issuing Bank until such Revolving L/C exposure is cash collateralized and/or reallocated;
(d) so long as any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, no Issuing Bank shall be required to issue, amend or increase any Revolving Letter of Credit, unless it is satisfied that the related exposure will be 100% covered by the Revolving Facility Commitments of the non-Defaulting Lenders or cash collateral will be provided by the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.22(c)(ii), and participating interests in any such newly issued or increased Revolving Letter of Credit shall be allocated among non-Defaulting Lenders in a manner consistent with Section 2.22(c)(i) (and Defaulting Lenders shall not participate therein); and
(e) Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: (i) first , to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder, (ii) second , to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to any Issuing Bank or Swingline Facility Lender, (iii) third , as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which that Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, (iv) fourth , if so determined by the Administrative Agent or requested by an Issuing Bank or Swingline Facility Lender, held in such account as cash collateral for future funding obligations of the Defaulting Lender in respect of any existing or future participating interest in any Revolving Letter of Credit or Swingline Facility Loans, (v) fifth , to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, Swingline Facility Lender or an Issuing Bank as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, Swingline Facility Lender or such Issuing Bank against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lenders breach of its obligations under this Agreement, (vi) sixth , so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lenders breach of its obligations under this Agreement and (vii) seventh , to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction, provided , with respect to this clause (vii), that if such payment is (x) a prepayment of the principal amount of any Loans in respect of which a Defaulting Lender has not funded its participation obligations and (y) made at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 4.01 are satisfied, such payment shall be applied solely to prepay the Loans of, and reimbursement obligations owed to, all non-Defaulting Lenders pro rata prior to being applied to the prepayment of any Loans, or reimbursement obligations owed to, any Defaulting Lender. Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post cash collateral pursuant to Section 2.05(j) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by that Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.
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(f) In the event that the Administrative Agent, the Borrower, Swingline Facility Lender and each Issuing Bank each agrees that a Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender, then the Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of the Lenders shall be readjusted to reflect the inclusion of such Lenders Revolving Facility Commitment and on such date such Lender shall purchase at par such of the Loans of the other Lenders (or such of the Swingline Facility Loans of the Swingline Facility Lender) as the Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Lender to hold such Loans in accordance with its Revolving Facility Percentage; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lenders having been a Defaulting Lender.
Section 2.23 Swingline Facility .
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Swingline Facility Lender agrees, in reliance upon the agreements of the other Revolving Facility Lenders set forth in this Section 2.23, to make loans (each such loan, a Swingline Facility Loan ) to the Borrower from time to time on any Business Day during the Availability Period in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding U.S. $10,000,000, notwithstanding the fact that such Swingline Facility Loans, when aggregated with the Revolving Facility Percentage of the Revolving Credit Facility Exposure of the Lender acting as Swingline Facility Lender, may exceed the amount of such Lenders Revolving Facility Exposure Commitment; provided, however , that after giving effect to any Swingline Facility Loan, (i) the Revolving Facility Credit Exposure shall not exceed the total Revolving Facility Commitments, and (ii) the aggregate Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of any Lender shall not exceed such Lenders Revolving Facility Commitment, and provided , further , that the Borrower shall not use the proceeds of any Swingline Facility Loan to refinance any outstanding Swingline Facility Loan. Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow under this Section 2.23, prepay under Section 2.11, and reborrow under this Section 2.23. Each Swingline Facility Loan shall be an ABR Loan. Immediately upon the making of a Swingline Facility Loan, each Revolving Facility Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the Swingline Facility Lender a risk participation in such Swingline Facility Loan in an amount equal to the product of such Lenders Revolving Facility Percentage times the amount of such Swingline Facility Loan.
(b) Each Swing Line Borrowing shall be made upon the Borrowers irrevocable notice to the Swingline Facility Lender and the Administrative Agent, which may be given by telephone. Each such notice must be received by the Swingline Facility Lender and the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. on the requested borrowing date, and shall specify (i) the amount to be borrowed, which shall be a minimum of $100,000, and (ii) the requested borrowing date, which shall be a Business Day. Each such telephonic notice must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Swingline Facility Lender and the Administrative Agent of a written Swingline Facility Borrowing Request, appropriately completed and signed by the Borrower. Promptly after receipt by the Swingline Facility Lender of any telephonic Swingline Facility Borrowing Request, the Swingline Facility Lender will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has also received such Swingline Facility Borrowing Request and, if not, the Swingline Facility Lender will notify the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) of the contents thereof. Unless the Swingline Facility Lender has received notice (by telephone or in writing) from the Administrative Agent (including at the
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request of any Lender) prior to noon on the date of the proposed Swing Line Borrowing (A) directing the Swingline Facility Lender not to make such Swingline Facility Loan as a result of the limitations set forth in the first proviso to the first sentence of Section 2.23, or (B) that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 4.01 is not then satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Swingline Facility Lender will, not later than 3:00 p.m. on the borrowing date specified in such Swingline Facility Borrowing Request, make the amount of its Swingline Facility Loan available to the Borrower at its office by crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of the Swingline Facility Lender in immediately available funds.
(c) The Swingline Facility Lender at any time in its sole and absolute discretion may request, on behalf of the Borrower (and Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes the Swingline Facility Lender to so request on its behalf), that each Lender make an ABR Loan in an amount equal to such Lenders Revolving Facility Percentage of the amount of Swingline Facility Loans then outstanding. Such request shall be made in writing (which written request shall be deemed to be a Borrowing Request for purposes hereof) and in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.03, without regard to the minimum and multiples specified therein for the principal amount of ABR Loans, but subject to the unutilized portion of the Revolving Facility Commitments and the conditions set forth in Section 4.01. The Swingline Facility Lender shall furnish the Borrower with a copy of the applicable Borrowing Request promptly after delivering such notice to the Administrative Agent. Each Revolving Facility Lender shall make an amount equal to its Revolving Facility Percentage of the amount specified in such Borrowing Request available to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds for the account of the Swingline Facility Lender at the Administrative Agents Office not later than 1:00 p.m. on the day specified in such Borrowing Request, whereupon, subject to Section 2.23(c), each Revolving Facility Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made an ABR Loan to the Borrower in such amount. The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the Swingline Facility Lender.
(d) If for any reason any Swingline Facility Loan cannot be refinanced by such an ABR Loan in accordance with Section 2.23(c), the request for an ABR Loan submitted by the Swingline Facility Lender as set forth herein shall be deemed to be a request by the Swingline Facility Lender that each of the Revolving Facility Lenders fund its risk participation in the relevant Swingline Facility Loan and each Revolving Facility Lenders payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swingline Facility Lender pursuant to Section 2.23(c) shall be deemed payment in respect of such participation.
(e) If any Revolving Facility Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swingline Facility Lender any amount required to be paid by such Revolving Facility Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.23 by the time specified in Section 2.23, the Swingline Facility Lender shall be entitled to recover from such Revolving Facility 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 Swingline Facility Lender at a rate per annum equal to the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Swingline Facility Lender in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Swingline Facility Lender in connection with the foregoing. If such Revolving Facility Lender pays such amount (with interest and fees as aforesaid), the amount so paid shall constitute such Revolving Facility Lenders Revolving Facility Loan included in the relevant Revolving Facility Borrowing or funded participation in the relevant Swingline Facility Loan, as the case may be. A certificate of the Swingline Facility Lender submitted to any Revolving Facility Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (e) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(f) Each Revolving Facility Lenders obligation to make Revolving Facility Loans or to purchase and fund risk participations in Swingline Facility Loans pursuant to this Section 2.23 shall be
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absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Revolving Facility Lender may have against the Swingline Facility Lender, the 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, however , that each Revolving Facility Lenders obligation to make Revolving Facility Loans pursuant to this Section 2.23 is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.02. No such funding of risk participations shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrower to repay Swingline Facility Loans, together with interest as provided herein.
(g) At any time after any Revolving Facility Lender has purchased and funded a risk participation in a Swingline Facility Loan, if the Swingline Facility Lender receives any payment on account of such Swingline Facility Loan, the Swingline Facility Lender will distribute to such Revolving Facility Lender its Revolving Facility Percentage thereof in the same funds as those received by the Swingline Facility Lender.
(h) If any payment received by the Swingline Facility Lender in respect of principal or interest on any Swingline Facility Loan is required to be returned by the Swingline Facility Lender under any circumstances (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Swingline Facility Lender in its discretion), each Revolving Facility Lender shall pay to the Swingline Facility Lender its Revolving Facility Percentage thereof on demand of the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned, at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate. The Administrative Agent will make such demand upon the request of the Swingline Facility Lender. The obligations of the Revolving Facility Lenders under this clause shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.
(i) The Swingline Facility Lender shall be responsible for invoicing the Borrower for interest on the Swingline Facility Loans. Until each Revolving Facility Lender funds its ABR Loan or risk participation pursuant to this Section 2.23 to refinance such Revolving Facility Lenders Revolving Facility Percentage of any Swingline Facility Loan, interest in respect of such Revolving Facility Percentage shall be solely for the account of the Swingline Facility Lender.
(j) The Borrower shall make all payments of principal and interest in respect of the Swingline Facility Loans directly to the Swingline Facility Lender.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
The Borrower represents and warrants to each of the Lenders with respect to the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries that:
Section 3.01 Organization; Powers . Each Loan Party (a) is duly organized, validly existing and (if applicable) in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization except for such failure to be in good standing which could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (b) has all requisite power and authority to own its property and assets and to carry on its business as now conducted, (c) is qualified to do business in each jurisdiction where such qualification is required, except where the failure to so qualify could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (d) has the power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under each of the Loan Documents and each other agreement or instrument contemplated thereby to which it is or will be a party and, in the case of the Borrower, to borrow and otherwise obtain credit hereunder. Franks International C.V. is duly formed and entered into as a contract governed by the laws of the Netherlands and, in absence of Franks International C.V. having separate legal personality under the laws
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of the Netherlands, Franks International Management B.V. acting as its sole general partner is the sole party authorized to act on behalf of Franks International C.V. and shall hold title to any and all assets contributed to or acquired on behalf of Franks International C.V.
Section 3.02 Authorization . The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower and each Loan Party of each of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and the borrowings hereunder and the Transactions (a) have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate, stockholder, limited liability company or partnership action required to be obtained by the Borrower and such Loan Parties and (b) will not (i) violate (A) any provision of law, statute, rule or regulation, or of the certificate or articles of incorporation or other constitutive documents or by-laws of the Borrower or any such Loan Party, (B) any applicable order of any court or any rule, regulation or order of any Governmental Authority or (C) any provision of any indenture, lease, agreement or other instrument to which the Borrower or any such Loan Party is a party or by which any of them or any of their respective property is or may be bound, (ii) be in conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute (alone or with notice or lapse of time or both) a default under, give rise to a right of or result in any cancellation or acceleration of any right or obligation (including any payment) or to a loss of a material benefit under any such indenture, lease, agreement or other instrument, where any such conflict, violation, breach or default referred to in clause (i) or (ii) of this clause (b), could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, or (c) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon or with respect to any property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired by the Borrower or any such Loan Party, other than the Liens permitted by Section 6.02.
Section 3.03 Enforceability . This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower and constitutes, and each other Loan Document when executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is party thereto will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party enforceable against each such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, subject to (a) the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or other laws affecting creditors rights generally and (b) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
Section 3.04 Governmental Approvals . No action, consent or approval of, registration or filing with or any other action by any Governmental Authority is or will be required in connection with the Transactions except for such consents, authorizations, filings or other actions that have either (i) been made or obtained and are in full force and effect or (ii) are listed on Schedule 3.04 , and (iii) such actions, consents, approvals, registrations or filings, the failure to be obtained or made which could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.05 Financial Statements . There has heretofore been furnished to the Lenders the following (and the following representations and warranties are made with respect thereto):
The unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet of FINV as of December 31, 2012, prepared giving effect to the Transactions as if the Transactions had occurred on such date. Such pro forma consolidated balance sheet (i) was prepared in good faith based on assumptions that are believed by the Borrower to be reasonable as of the Closing Date (it being understood that such assumptions are based on good faith estimates with respect to certain items and that the actual amounts of such items on the Closing Date is subject to variation), (ii) accurately reflects all adjustments necessary to give effect to the Transactions and (iii) presents fairly, in all material respects, the pro forma financial position of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012, as if the Transactions had occurred on such date.
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Section 3.06 No Material Adverse Effect . Since December 31, 2012, there has been no event or occurrence which has resulted in, individually or in the aggregate, any Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.07 Title to Properties; Possession Under Leases . (a) The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries have good and valid title to all of their properties and assets, subject solely to Permitted Liens and except where the failure to have such title could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries have maintained, in all material respects and in accordance with normal industry practice, all of the machinery, equipment, vehicles, facilities and other tangible personal property now owned or leased by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that is necessary to conduct their business as it is now conducted.
(b) The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries have complied with all obligations under all leases to which it is a party, except where the failure to comply could not have a Material Adverse Effect, and all such leases are in full force and effect, except leases in respect of which the failure to be in full force and effect could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries enjoy peaceful and undisturbed possession under all such leases, other than leases in respect of which the failure to enjoy peaceful and undisturbed possession could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries have good title to or valid leasehold interests (subject to Permitted Liens) in all real property owned by them, except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(d) The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries owns or possesses, or has the right to use or could obtain ownership or possession of or a right to use, on terms not materially adverse to it, all patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names and copyrights necessary for the present conduct of its business, without any known conflict with the rights of others, and free from any burdensome restrictions, except where such conflicts and restrictions could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
(e) Reserved.
(f) Reserved.
(g) Schedule 3.07(g) sets forth as of the Closing Date (i) the name and jurisdiction of incorporation, formation or organization of each Loan Party, (ii) as to each such Subsidiary of Borrower, the percentage of each class of Equity Interests owned by the Borrower or by any such Subsidiary, indicating the ownership thereof, and (iii) the total assets (excluding intangible assets and intercompany investments) of each Loan Party (other than the Borrower) that will execute the Guaranty Agreement as of the Closing Date and the percentage of each such Loan Partys total assets to the Borrowers Consolidated Total Assets.
Section 3.08 Litigation; Compliance with Laws . (a) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.08(a) , there are no actions, suits, investigations or proceedings at law or in equity or by or on behalf of any Governmental Authority or in arbitration now pending against, or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened in writing against or affecting, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any business, property or rights of any such Person (i) as of the Closing Date, that involve any Loan Document or the Transactions or (ii) which individually or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or which could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to materially adversely affect the Transactions. Neither the Borrower nor any of its
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Subsidiaries, nor any of their Affiliates, is in violation of any laws relating to terrorism or money laundering, including Executive Order No. 13224 on Terrorist Financing, effective September 23, 2001, and the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, Public Law 107-56 (signed into law on October 26, 2001) (the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act ).
(b) (i) Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of their respective properties or assets is in violation of (nor will the continued operation of their material properties and assets as currently conducted violate) any currently applicable law, rule or regulation or any restriction of record or agreement affecting any material real property nor is the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in default with respect to any judgment, writ, injunction or decree of any Governmental Authority, where such violation or default could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries holds all permits, licenses, registrations, certificates, approvals, consents, clearances and other authorizations from any Governmental Authority required under any currently applicable law, rule or regulation for the operation of its business as presently conducted, except as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.09 Federal Reserve Regulations . (a) Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock.
(b) No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, (i) to purchase or carry Margin Stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock or to refund indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose, or (ii) for any purpose that entails a violation of, or that is inconsistent with, the provisions of the Regulations of the Board, including Regulation U or Regulation X.
Section 3.10 Investment Company Act . Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is an investment company as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Section 3.11 Use of Proceeds . The Borrower will use the proceeds of the Revolving Facility Loans, Swingline Facility Loans and may request the issuance of Revolving Letters of Credit, solely for working capital and other general corporate purposes including capital expenditures and to pay fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions.
Section 3.12 Tax Returns . Except as set forth on Schedule 3.12 , each of the Borrower and Borrowers Subsidiaries (i) has timely filed or caused to be timely filed all U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. Tax returns required to have been filed by it and each such Tax return is complete and accurate in all material respects and (ii) has timely paid or caused to be timely paid all Taxes due and payable by it and all other Taxes or assessments, except in each case referred to in clauses (i) or (ii) above, (1) if the failure to comply would not cause a Material Adverse Effect or (2) if the Taxes or assessments are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings in accordance with Section 5.03 and for which the Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries (as the case may be) has set aside on its books adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP.
Section 3.13 No Material Misstatements . (a) All written information (other than the Projections, estimates and information of a general economic nature) (the Information ) concerning the Borrower and Borrowers Subsidiaries, the Transactions and any other transactions contemplated hereby prepared by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and delivered to the Administrative Agent or to the
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Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders in connection with the Transactions or the other transactions contemplated hereby, when taken as a whole, was true and correct in all material respects, as of the date such Information was furnished to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, as the case may be, and as of the Closing Date, and did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact as of any such date or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein not materially misleading in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made.
(b) The Projections prepared by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its representatives and that have been made available to any Lender or the Administrative Agent in connection with the Transactions or the other transactions contemplated hereby (i) have been prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed by the Borrower to be reasonable as of the date such Projections were furnished to the Lenders (it being recognized by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, however, that projections as to future events are not to be viewed as facts and that results during the period(s) covered by such projections may differ from the projected results and that such differences may be material and that neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries makes any representation that such projections will be realized), and (ii) as of the Closing Date, have not been modified in any material respect by the Borrower.
Section 3.14 Employee Benefit Plans . (a) Each Plan has been administered in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code (and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder) except for such noncompliance that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other ERISA Events which have occurred or for which liability is reasonably expected to occur, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.15 Environmental Matters . Except as set forth on Schedule 3.15 or for matters that could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect (i) no written notice of a request for information, order, complaint, Environmental Claim or penalty has been received by Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries, and there are no judicial or administrative actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against the Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries which allege a violation of or liability under any Environmental Laws, in each case relating to the Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries, (ii) Borrower and each of Borrowers Subsidiaries have timely applied for, or obtained, and as applicable maintains in full force and effect, all permits, registrations and licenses to the extent necessary for the conduct of its businesses and operations as currently conducted to comply with all Environmental Laws and is, and, within all surviving periods of applicable statutes of limitation, has been, in compliance with the terms and conditions of such permits, registrations and licenses, and with all Environmental Laws, (iii) none of the Borrower nor any of Borrowers Subsidiaries is conducting or funding or known by Borrower to be responsible under Environmental Law for any investigation, remediation, remedial action or cleanup of any Release or threatened Release of Hazardous Materials arising from any of their operations, (iv) there has been no Release or threatened Release of Hazardous Materials at any property currently or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, formerly owned, operated or leased by the Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any liability of the Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries under any Environmental Laws or Environmental Claim against the Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries, and, to the knowledge of Borrower, no Hazardous Material have been transported for disposal to or Released at any location offsite real properties of Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries in a manner that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any liability of the Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries under any Environmental Laws or Environmental Claim against the Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries, (v) none of the Borrower nor any of Borrowers Subsidiaries has entered into any written agreement or contract to assume, guarantee or indemnify a third party for any Environmental Claims, and (vi) to the knowledge of
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the Borrower, there are not currently and there have not been any underground storage tanks owned or operated by the Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries on the Borrowers or any Borrowers Subsidiarys real property. Representations and warranties of the Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries with respect to environmental matters are limited to those in this Section 3.15.
Section 3.16 Reserved .
Section 3.17 Reserved .
Section 3.18 Solvency . (a) Immediately after giving effect to the Transactions (i) the fair value of the assets (for the avoidance of doubt, calculated to include goodwill and other intangibles) of the Loan Parties on a consolidated basis, at a fair valuation, will exceed the debts and liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, of the Loan Parties on a consolidated basis; (ii) the present fair saleable value of the property of the Loan Parties on a consolidated basis will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of the Loan Parties on a consolidated basis, on their debts and other liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured; (iii) the Loan Parties on a consolidated basis will be able to pay their debts and liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured; and (iv) the Loan Parties on a consolidated basis will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the businesses in which they are engaged as such businesses are now conducted and are proposed to be conducted following the Closing Date.
(b) The Borrower does not intend to, and does not believe that it nor any of its Subsidiaries will, incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature, taking into account the timing and amounts of cash to be received by it or any such Subsidiary and the timing and amounts of cash to be payable on or in respect of its Indebtedness or the Indebtedness of any such Subsidiary.
Section 3.19 Labor Matters . There are no strikes pending or, to the knowledge of any Responsible Officer of the Borrower, threatened against the Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The hours worked and payments made to employees of the Borrower and Borrowers Subsidiaries have not been in violation in any material respect of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable law dealing with such matters, except where such violation, either individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. All material payments due from the Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries or for which any claim may be made against the Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries, on account of wages and employee health and welfare insurance and other benefits have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of the Borrower or such Subsidiary to the extent required by GAAP. Consummation of the Transactions will not give rise to a right of termination or right of renegotiation on the part of any union under any collective bargaining agreement to which the Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries (or any predecessor) is a party or by which the Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries (or any predecessor) is bound, other than collective bargaining agreements that, individually or in the aggregate, are not material to the Borrower and Borrowers Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
Section 3.20 Insurance . Schedule 3.20 sets forth a true, complete and correct description of all material insurance maintained by or on behalf of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date. As of such date, such insurance is in full force and effect. The Borrower believes that the insurance maintained by or on behalf of it and the Subsidiaries is adequate.
Section 3.21 Status as Senior Debt . The Obligations shall rank pari passu with any other senior Indebtedness or securities of the Borrower and shall constitute senior indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries under and as defined in any documentation documenting any junior indebtedness of the Borrower or the Subsidiaries.
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Section 3.22 Material Contracts . Other than as set forth on Schedule 3.22 , as of the Closing Date there are no contracts or agreements to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or that, if terminated or if a default occurs thereunder, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.23 Foreign Corrupt Practices . Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of any Responsible Officer of the Borrower, any director, officer or Affiliate of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a material violation by such Persons of the FCPA, including without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any foreign official (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA; and, the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective Affiliates have conducted their business in material compliance with the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.
Section 3.24 OFAC . Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor any director, officer or Affiliate of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is currently subject to any material U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC, and the Borrower will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds from the Loans or any Revolving Letter of Credit or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person, for the purpose of financing the activities of any Person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.
ARTICLE IV
CONDITIONS TO CREDIT EVENTS
The obligations of (a) the Lenders to make Loans, (b) any Issuing Bank to issue, amend, extend or renew any Revolving Letter of Credit hereunder, or (c) the Swingline Facility Lender to make Swingline Facility Loans (each of (a), (b) and (c), a Credit Event ) are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:
Section 4.01 All Credit Events . On the date of each Credit Event (other than a Borrowing on the Closing Date (except with respect to clause (a) below)):
(a) The Administrative Agent shall have received, in the case of a Borrowing, a Borrowing Request as required by Section 2.03, in the case of a Swingline Facility Borrowing, a Swingline Facility Borrowing Request as required by Section 2.23(b) or, in the case of the issuance of a Revolving Letter of Credit, the applicable Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent shall have received a notice requesting the issuance of such Revolving Letter of Credit as required by Section 2.05(b) (in the case of any Revolving Letter of Credit).
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(b) The representations and warranties set forth in Article III hereof shall be true and correct in all material respects (unless qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in which case the accuracy of such qualified representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of the date of such Credit Event (other than an amendment, extension or renewal of a Revolving Letter of Credit without any increase in the stated amount of such Revolving Letter of Credit), as applicable, with the same effect as though made on and as of such date, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date).
(c) At the time of and immediately after such Credit Event (other than an amendment, extension or renewal of a Revolving Letter of Credit without any increase in the stated amount of such Revolving Letter of Credit), as applicable, no Event of Default or Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
Each Credit Event (other than an amendment, extension or renewal of a Revolving Letter of Credit without any increase in the stated amount of such Revolving Letter of Credit) shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date of such Credit Event as to the matters specified in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this Section 4.01.
Section 4.02 First Credit Event . On the Closing Date:
(a) The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received from (i) each party hereto either (a) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party or (b) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include telecopy transmission, or electronic transmission of a PDF copy, of a signed signature page of this Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement, (ii) Borrower duly executed Notes payable to the order of each Lender in a principal amount equal to its Revolving Facility Commitment dated as of the Closing Date, and (iii) each party thereto duly executed counterparts (in such number as may be requested by the Administrative Agent) of the Guaranty Agreement.
(b) The Administrative Agent shall have received, on behalf of itself, the Lenders and each Issuing Bank on the Closing Date, favorable written opinions of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., special U.S. counsel for the Loan Parties, Van Campen Liem, special Dutch counsel for Franks International C.V. and Oilfield Equipment Rental B.V., and Orion Law, special British Virgin Islands counsel for Franks International West Africa (BVI) Limited and Franks International (BVI) Limited, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (A) dated the Closing Date, (B) addressed to each Issuing Bank on the Closing Date, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and (C) in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and covering such matters relating to the Loan Documents as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request, and each Loan Party hereby instructs its counsel to deliver such opinions.
(c) The Administrative Agent shall have received in the case of each Loan Party each of the following:
(i) a copy of the certificate or articles of incorporation, partnership agreement or limited liability agreement, including all amendments thereto, or other relevant constitutional documents under applicable law of each Loan Party, (A) in case of a company organized under the laws of the Netherlands, issued as a true copy by the relevant civil-law notary, with an excerpt from the trade register in the Netherlands, (B) in the case of any other corporation, certified as of a recent date by the Secretary of State (or other similar official) and a certificate as to the good standing (to the extent such concept or a similar concept exists under the laws of such jurisdiction)
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of each such Loan Party as of a recent date from such Secretary of State (or other similar official) or (C) in the case of a partnership of or limited liability company, certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary, or the general partner, managing member or sole member, of each such Loan Party; and
(ii) a certificate of the Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Director, President or similar officer or the general partner, managing member or sole member, of each Loan Party, in each case dated the Closing Date and certifying:
(A) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of the by-laws (or partnership agreement, memorandum and articles of association, limited liability company agreement or other equivalent governing documents) of such Loan Party as in effect on the Closing Date and at all times since a date prior to the date of the resolutions described in clause (B) below,
(B) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of resolutions duly adopted by the governing body of such Loan Party (or its managing general partner or managing member) authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which such Person is a party and, in the case of the Borrower, the borrowings hereunder, and that such resolutions have not been modified, rescinded or amended and are in full force and effect on the Closing Date,
(C) that the certificate or articles of incorporation, partnership agreement or limited liability agreement of such Loan Party has not been amended since the date of the last amendment thereto disclosed pursuant to clause (i) above,
(D) as to the incumbency and specimen signature of each officer or director executing any Loan Document or any other document delivered in connection herewith on behalf of such Loan Party, and
(E) as to the absence of any pending proceeding for the dissolution or liquidation of such Loan Party or, to the knowledge of such Person, threatening the existence of such Loan Party.
(d) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate from a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying that the Borrower has received all governmental and third party consents, licenses, and approvals necessary for the consummation of the Transactions, all of which shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (or a statement that no such governmental or third party consents, licenses or approvals are required).
(e) The Lenders shall have received the financial statements referred to in Section 3.05.
(f) After giving effect to the Transactions, no Loan Party shall have any outstanding preferred equity or Indebtedness other than (i) the Loans and other extensions of credit under this Agreement and (ii) other Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 6.01.
(g) The Lenders shall have received a solvency certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F and signed by the chief financial officer or another Responsible Officer of the Borrower confirming the solvency of the Borrower and the Borrowers Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis after giving effect to the Transactions.
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(h) There shall not have occurred since December 31, 2012, any event or condition that has had or would reasonably be expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(i) The Administrative Agent shall have received all fees payable thereto or to any Lender on or prior to the Closing Date and, to the extent invoiced, all other amounts due and payable pursuant to the Loan Documents on or prior to the Closing Date, including, to the extent invoiced, reimbursement or payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses required to be reimbursed or paid by the Loan Parties hereunder or under any Loan Document.
(j) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower as to the matters set forth in clauses (f) and (h) of this Section 4.02.
(k) The Administrative Agent shall have received all documentation and other information required by regulatory authorities with respect to the Borrower and other Loan Parties under applicable know your customer and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation the U.S. PATRIOT Act.
(l) The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence of insurance naming the Administrative Agent as additional insured with customary endorsements on Borrowers liability insurance.
(m) The Administrative Agent and each Lender shall have completed their due diligence to their satisfaction.
(n) The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence (i) that contemporaneously with the this Agreement becoming effective, Franks International N.V. has closed its initial public offering, (ii) that FINV has contributed to Borrower all of FINVs non-U.S. Subsidiaries and Mosing Holdings, Inc. has contributed all of its U.S. Subsidiaries to Franks International C.V. (excluding certain de minimis Subsidiaries) and Franks International C.V. has issued 100% of its general partnership interest to the Borrower as more fully described in FINVs Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, and (iii) all of Borrowers Indebtedness described in clauses (a) and (b) of the definition of Indebtedness has been repaid in full.
The Administrative Agent is hereby authorized and directed to declare this Agreement effective when the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 have been satisfied to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent or waived as permitted herein. Such declaration shall be final, conclusive and binding upon the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the Lenders for all purposes.
ARTICLE V
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
The Borrower covenants and agrees with each Lender that so long as this Agreement shall remain in effect and until the Commitments have been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan, all Fees and all other expenses or amounts then due and payable under any Loan Document shall have been paid in full and all Revolving Letters of Credit have been canceled or have expired and all amounts drawn thereunder have been reimbursed in full or cash collateralized in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing, the Borrower will, and will cause each Subsidiary to:
Section 5.01 Existence; Businesses and Properties . (a) Do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and good standing, except as otherwise expressly permitted under Section 6.05, and except for the liquidation or dissolution of any such Subsidiary if the assets of such Subsidiary to the extent they exceed estimated liabilities are acquired by the Borrower or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower in such liquidation or dissolution.
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(b) Do or cause to be done all things necessary to (i) in the Borrowers reasonable business judgment obtain, preserve, renew, extend and keep in full force and effect the permits, franchises, authorizations, patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, licenses and rights with respect thereto necessary to the normal conduct of its business, (ii) comply in all material respects with all material applicable laws, rules, regulations and judgments, writs, injunctions, decrees, permits, licenses and orders of any Governmental Authority, whether now in effect or hereafter enacted and (iii) at all times maintain and preserve all property necessary to the normal conduct of its business and keep such property in good repair, working order and condition and from time to time make, or cause to be made, all needful and proper repairs, renewals, additions, improvements and replacements thereto necessary in order that the business carried on in connection therewith, if any, may be properly conducted at all times (in each case except as expressly permitted by this Agreement); in each case in this paragraph (b) except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.02 Insurance . Keep its insurable properties insured at all times by financially sound and reputable insurers in such amounts as shall be customary for similar businesses and maintain such other reasonable insurance (including, to the extent consistent with past practices, self-insurance), of such types, to such extent and against such risks, as is customary with companies in the same or similar businesses and maintain such other insurance as may be required by law or any other Loan Document and cause Administrative Agent to be named as an additional insured on all liability policies.
Section 5.03 Taxes; Payment of Obligations . Pay and discharge promptly when due all material Taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its income or profits or in respect of its property, before the same shall become delinquent or in default, as well as all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies or otherwise that, if unpaid, might give rise to a Lien upon such properties or any part thereof; provided, however , that such payment and discharge shall not be required with respect to any such Tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim to the extent that (i) the validity or amount thereof shall be contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, and the Borrower or the affected Subsidiary of the Borrower, as applicable, shall have set aside on its books reserves in accordance with GAAP with respect thereto, (ii) the aggregate amount of such Taxes, assessments, charges, levies or claims does not exceed U.S. $10,000,000, or (iii) if the failure to pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy such Taxes, assessments, charges, levies or claims obligation could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy at or before maturity or before they become delinquent, as the case may be, the Obligations and all its other material obligations of whatever nature, except where the amount or validity thereof is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and reserves in conformity with GAAP with respect thereto have been provided on the books of the Borrower or the affected Subsidiary of the Borrower or if the failure to pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy such obligation could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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Section 5.04 Financial Statements, Reports, Etc. . Furnish to the Administrative Agent (which will promptly furnish such information to the Lenders):
(a) as soon as available, but in any event within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each fiscal year of FINV, a consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, cash flows and owners equity showing the financial position of FINV and its Subsidiaries (including the Borrower) as of the close of such fiscal year and the consolidated results of their operations during such year and setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures for the prior fiscal year, all audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or other independent accountants of recognized international standing reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and accompanied by an opinion of such accountants (which shall not be qualified in any material respect) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements fairly present, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations of FINV and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP;
(b) as soon as available, but in any event within forty-five (45) days after the end of each fiscal quarter of FINV, a consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations and cash flows showing the financial position of FINV and its Subsidiaries (including the Borrower) as of the close of such fiscal quarter and the consolidated results of their operations during such fiscal quarter and the then-elapsed portion of the fiscal year and setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures for the corresponding periods of the prior fiscal year, all certified by a Financial Officer of the Borrower, as fairly presenting, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations of FINV and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes);
(c) (x) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under (a) or (b) above, a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower (i) certifying that no Event of Default or Default has occurred or, if such an Event of Default or Default has occurred, specifying the nature and extent thereof and any corrective action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto and (ii) setting forth a computation of the Financial Performance Covenants in detail reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (y) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under (a) above, a certificate of its independent accounting firm stating whether they obtained knowledge during the course of their examination of such statements of any Default or Event of Default under Section 6.10 or 6.11 (which certificate may be limited to accounting matters and disclaims responsibility for legal interpretations);
(d) promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other available reports, proxy statements and, to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent, other materials filed by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with the SEC, or distributed to its equityholders generally, if and as applicable;
(e) as soon as available, but in any event within thirty (30) days after the end of each fiscal year of FINV, a summary report as of the end of the prior fiscal year of FINV substantially in the form of the 2012 Summary Guarantor Group report delivered to the Agent and Lenders prior to the Closing Date, showing for each Guarantor on a stand alone basis its tangible assets and EBITDA and the percentage of Consolidated Tangible Assets owned by, and the contribution to EBITDA of, the Guarantors collectively;
(f) promptly, a copy of all reports submitted to the governing body (or any committee thereof) of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any material interim or special audit made by independent accountants of the books of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;
(g) promptly, from time to time, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or compliance with the terms of any Loan Document, or such consolidating financial statements, as in each case the Administrative Agent may reasonably request (for itself or on behalf of any Lender);
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(h) promptly upon request by the Administrative Agent, copies of: (i) each Schedule B (Actuarial Information) to the annual report (Form 5500 Series) filed with the Internal Revenue Service with respect to a Plan; (ii) the most recent actuarial valuation report for any Plan; (iii) all notices received from a Multiemployer Plan sponsor or a Plan sponsor or any governmental agency concerning an ERISA Event; and (iv) such other documents or governmental reports or filings relating to any Plan or Multiemployer Plan as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request; and
(i) no later than 90 days following the first day of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a budget for the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries.
Documents required to be delivered pursuant this Section 5.04 may be delivered electronically and, in the case of Sections 5.04(d) shall be deemed to have been delivered if such documents, or one or more annual, quarterly or other reports or filings containing such documents, (i) shall have been posted or provided a link to on FINVs website on the Internet at the website at http://www.franksinternational.com/ , (ii) shall be available on the website of the SEC at http://www.sec.gov or (iii) shall have been posted on FINVs behalf on SyndTrak or another 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).
Section 5.05 Litigation and Other Notices . Furnish to the Administrative Agent written notice of the following promptly after any Responsible Officer of the Borrower or any Subsidiary obtains actual knowledge thereof:
(a) any Event of Default or Default, specifying the nature and extent thereof and the corrective action (if any) proposed to be taken with respect thereto;
(b) the filing or commencement of, or any written notice of intention of any Person to file or commence, any action, suit or proceeding, whether at law or in equity or by or before any Governmental Authority or in arbitration, against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(c) any other development specific to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect; and
(d) the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.06 Compliance with Laws . Comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property (owned or leased), including ERISA, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; provided that this Section 5.06 shall not apply to Environmental Laws, which are the subject of Section 5.09, or to laws related to Taxes, which are the subject of Section 5.03.
Section 5.07 Maintaining Records; Access to Properties and Inspections . Maintain all financial records in accordance with GAAP and permit any Persons designated by the Administrative Agent or, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, any Lender to visit and inspect the financial records and the properties of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries at reasonable times, upon reasonable prior notice, and as often as reasonably requested and to make extracts from and
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copies of such financial records, and permit any Persons designated by the Administrative Agent or, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, any Lender upon reasonable prior notice and at such Lenders expense to discuss the affairs, finances and condition of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries with the officers thereof, managing member or sole member thereof, and independent accountants therefor (subject to reasonable requirements of confidentiality, including requirements imposed by law or by contract); provided that, during any calendar year absent the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default, only one (1) visit by the Administrative Agent shall be at the Borrowers expense; provided , further , that when an Event of Default exists, the Administrative Agent or any Lender may do any of the foregoing at the expense of the Borrower.
Section 5.08 Use of Proceeds . Use the proceeds of the Loans and the issuance of Letters of Credit solely for the purposes described in Section 3.11.
Section 5.09 Compliance with Environmental Laws . Comply, cause all of the Borrowers Subsidiaries to comply with all Environmental Laws applicable to its business, operations and properties; apply for and, as applicable, obtain and maintain in full force and effect all material authorizations, registrations, licenses and permits required pursuant to Environmental Law for its business, operations and properties; and perform any investigation, remedial action or cleanup required as a result of the Release of any Hazardous Materials as required of Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries pursuant to Environmental Laws except that Borrower and all of the Borrowers Subsidiaries are not required to perform such investigation, remedial action or cleanup to the extent that Borrower reasonably believes in good faith that one or more Persons other than Borrower or Borrowers Subsidiaries is responsible for such performance and Borrower or any of the Borrowers Subsidiaries pursue actions in a timely manner to compel such Persons to conduct such investigation, remedial action or cleanup; and further, except, in each case with respect to this Section 5.09, to the extent the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.10 Further Assurances; Additional Loan Parties . (a) Execute any and all further documents, financing statements, agreements and instruments, and take all such further actions, that may be required under any applicable law, or that the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, all at the expense of the applicable Loan Parties, and provide to the Administrative Agent, from time to time upon reasonable request, evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent as to the compliance of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries with the requirements of the Loan Documents.
(b) At all times the percentage of Borrowers Consolidated Total Assets owned by Loan Parties shall be at least 75% of Borrowers Consolidated Total Assets and the percentage of Borrowers EBITDA attributable to Loan Parties shall be at least 75%. If Borrower forms or acquires any additional direct or indirect Material Subsidiary, within 10 Business Days after the date of formation or acquisition of such Subsidiary, Borrower will cause such Subsidiary to execute a joinder to the Guaranty Agreement and become a Loan Party. If through growth in a Subsidiarys business, or as a result of any conveyance, purchase, assignment, transfer or other acquisition of assets, or otherwise, a Subsidiary which was not previously a Loan Party becomes a Material Subsidiary, Borrower will cause such Subsidiary to execute a joinder to the Guaranty Agreement and become a Loan Party.
(c) In the case of any Loan Party, (i) furnish to the Administrative Agent prompt written notice of any change (A) in such Loan Partys corporate or organization name, or (B) in such Loan Partys identity or organizational structure.
Section 5.11 Fiscal Year . Cause its fiscal year to end on December 31, unless otherwise required by the Code.
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ARTICLE VI
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
The Borrower covenants and agrees with each Lender that so long as this Agreement shall remain in effect and until the Commitments have been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan, all Fees and all other expenses or amounts then due and payable under any Loan Document have been paid in full and all Revolving Letters of Credit have been canceled or have expired and all amounts drawn thereunder have been reimbursed in full or cash collateralized in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing, the Borrower will not, and will not cause or permit any Subsidiary to:
Section 6.01 Indebtedness . Incur, create, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:
(a) Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 6.01 (excluding Indebtedness under clause (b) of this Section 6.01) and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness Refinanced with Indebtedness owed to a Person not affiliated with the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower);
(b) Indebtedness created hereunder and under the other Loan Documents;
(c) Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries pursuant to Swap Agreements permitted by Section 6.12;
(d) Indebtedness owed to (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees or similar instruments for the benefit of) any Person providing workers compensation, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to reimbursement or indemnification obligations to such Person; provided that upon the incurrence of Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement obligations regarding workers compensation claims, such obligations are reimbursed not later than 30 days following such incurrence;
(e) Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries owing to the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower to the extent permitted by Section 6.04, provided that such Indebtedness shall be subordinated to the Obligations on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (the Subordinated Intercompany Debt );
(f) Indebtedness in respect of performance bonds, warranty bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds, surety bonds, labor bonds and completion or performance guarantees and similar obligations, in each case provided in the ordinary course of business, including those incurred to secure health, safety and environmental obligations in the ordinary course of business and Indebtedness arising out of advances on exports, advances on imports, customer prepayments and similar transactions in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice;
(g) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business or other cash management services in the ordinary course of business, provided that (x) such Indebtedness (other than credit or purchase cards) is extinguished within five Business Days of its incurrence and (y) such Indebtedness in respect of credit or purchase cards is extinguished within 60 days from its incurrence;
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(h) (i) Indebtedness of a Subsidiary acquired after the Closing Date or a Person merged into, amalgamated or consolidated with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries after the Closing Date and Indebtedness assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets, which Indebtedness in each case, exists at the time of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation and is not created in contemplation of such event and where such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation is permitted by this Agreement and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness, provided that, solely with respect to a Person being merged into, amalgamated or consolidated with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and Indebtedness being assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets, the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness at the time of, and after giving effect to, such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation, such assumption or such incurrence, as applicable would not exceed U.S. $30,000,000;
(i) Capital Lease Obligations and purchase money Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries prior to or within 90 days after the acquisition, lease or improvement of the respective asset permitted under this Agreement in order to finance such acquisition, lease or improvement, and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, in an aggregate principal amount that at the time of, and after giving effect to, the incurrence thereof would not exceed U.S. $25,000,000;
(j) Capital Lease Obligations incurred by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction that is permitted under Section 6.03;
(k) other unsecured Indebtedness, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding pursuant to this Section 6.01(k) not to exceed U.S. $50,000,000;
(l) Guarantees (i) by any Loan Party of any Indebtedness of any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary of the Borrower and (ii) by any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party of Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; provided that Guarantees by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under this Section 6.01(l) of any other Indebtedness of a Person that is subordinated to other Indebtedness of such Person shall be expressly subordinated to the Obligations on terms consistent with those used, or to be used, for Subordinated Intercompany Debt;
(m) Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price, earn outs or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary of Borrower, other than Guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or a Subsidiary of the Borrower for the purpose of financing such acquisition;
(n) Indebtedness supported by a Revolving Letter of Credit, in a principal amount not in excess of the stated amount of such Revolving Letter of Credit;
(o) Indebtedness consisting of Permitted Senior Unsecured Debt in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed U.S. $200,000,000;
(p) Indebtedness of the Loan Parties pursuant to the 364-Day Credit Facility and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness;
(q) (i) Indebtedness incurred and/or assumed in connection with Section 6.04(j); provided that the aggregate amount of such Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to this Section 6.01(q) shall not exceed U.S. $100,000,000 and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness;
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(r) Indebtedness consisting of insurance premium financing arrangements; and
(s) all premium (if any), interest (including post-petition interest), fees, expenses, charges and additional or contingent interest on obligations described in paragraphs (a) through (r) above.
Section 6.02 Liens . Create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or assets (including stock or other securities of any Person, including of any Subsidiaries) at the time owned by it or on any income or revenues or rights in respect of any thereof, except (without duplication):
(a) Liens on property or assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries existing on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 6.02(a) ; provided that such Liens shall secure only those obligations that they secure on the Closing Date (and extensions, renewals and refinancings of such obligations permitted by Section 6.01(a)) and shall not subsequently apply to any other property or assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;
(b) Liens on property or assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries securing Indebtedness owing under the 364-Day Credit Facility (and extensions, renewals and refinancings of such Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(p)); provided such Liens secure the Obligations on a pari passu basis;
(c) any Lien on any property or asset of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries securing Indebtedness or Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(h), provided that (i) such Lien does not apply to any other property or assets of such Person not securing such Indebtedness at the date of the acquisition of such property or asset (other than after-acquired property subjected to a Lien securing Indebtedness and other obligations incurred prior to such date and which Indebtedness and other obligations are permitted hereunder that require a pledge of after-acquired property, 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), (ii) such Lien is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition and (iii) in the case of a Lien securing Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, such Lien is permitted in accordance with clause (e) of the definition of the term Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;
(d) Liens for Taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or levies not yet delinquent or that are being contested in compliance with Section 5.03;
(e) Liens imposed by law (including, without limitation, Liens in favor of customers for equipment under order or in respect of advances paid in connection therewith) such as landlords, carriers, warehousemens, mechanics, materialmens, repairmens, construction or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations that are not overdue by more than 45 days or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and in respect of which, if applicable, the Borrower or applicable Subsidiary shall have set aside on its books reserves in accordance with GAAP;
(f) (i) pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with the Federal Employers Liability Act or any other workers compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations under U.S. or foreign law and deposits securing liability to insurance carriers under insurance or self-insurance arrangements in respect of such obligations, (ii) pledges and deposits securing liability for reimbursement or indemnification obligations of (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees for the benefit of) insurance carriers providing property, casualty or liability insurance to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and (iii) pledges and deposits securing liability for reimbursement or indemnification obligations in respect of the Existing Letters of Credit;
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(g) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts (other than for Indebtedness), leases (other than Capital Lease Obligations), statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, costs of litigation where required by law, performance and return of money bonds, warranty bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, trade contracts, completion or performance guarantees and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business, including those incurred to secure health, safety and environmental obligations in the ordinary course of business;
(h) zoning restrictions, by-laws and other ordinances of Governmental Authorities, easements, trackage rights, leases (other than Capital Lease Obligations), licenses, permits, special assessments, development agreements, deferred services agreements, restrictive covenants, owners association encumbrances, rights-of-way, restrictions on use of real property and other similar encumbrances that do not render title unmarketable and that, in the aggregate, do not interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or would not result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(i) purchase money security interests in equipment or other property or improvements thereto acquired (or, in the case of improvements, constructed) by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (including the interests of vendors and lessors under conditional sale and title retention agreements); provided that (i) such security interests secure Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(i) (including any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof), (ii) such security interests are incurred, and the Indebtedness secured thereby is created, within 90 days after such acquisition (or construction), (iii) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed 100% of the cost of such equipment or other property or improvements at the time of such acquisition (or construction), including transaction costs incurred by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with such acquisition (or construction) and (iv) such security interests do not apply to any other property or assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than to accessions to such equipment or other property or improvements); provided further that individual financings of equipment provided by a single lender may be cross-collateralized to other financings of equipment provided solely by such lender;
(j) Liens arising out of capitalized lease transactions permitted under Section 6.03, so long as such Liens attach only to the property sold and being leased in such transaction and any accessions thereto or proceeds thereof and related property;
(k) Liens securing judgments that do not constitute an Event of Default under Section 7.01(j);
(l) reserved;
(m) any interest or title of, or Liens created by, a lessor under any leases or subleases entered into by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, as tenant, in the ordinary course of business;
(n) Liens that are contractual rights of set-off (i) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks or securities intermediaries not given in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness, (ii) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of such Person or (iii) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
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(o) Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provision relating to security intermediaries or bankers liens, rights of set-off or similar rights;
(p) reserved;
(q) licenses of intellectual property granted in the ordinary course of business;
(r) 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, machinery or other equipment;
(s) Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement permitted hereunder;
(t) Liens arising from precautionary UCC financing statement filings regarding operating leases entered into by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
(u) Liens securing insurance premium financing arrangements, provided that such Lien is limited to the applicable insurance contracts;
(v) Liens given to a public utility or any Governmental Authority when required by such utility or Governmental Authority in connection with the operations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;
(w) Liens in connection with subdivision agreements, site plan control agreements, development agreements, facilities sharing agreements, cost sharing agreements and other similar agreements in connection with the use of real property;
(x) Liens in favor of any tenant, occupant or licensee under any lease, occupancy agreement or license with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;
(y) Liens restricting or prohibiting access to or from lands abutting controlled access highways or covenants affecting the use to which lands may be put;
(z) Liens incurred or pledges or deposits made in favor of a Governmental Authority to secure the performance of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under any Environmental Law to which any assets of such Person are subject;
(aa) Liens consisting of minor irregularities in title, boundaries, or other minor survey defects, easements, leases, restrictions, servitudes, licenses, permits, reservations, exceptions, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way, conditions, covenants, mineral or royalty rights or reservations or oil, gas and mineral leases and rights of others in any property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, including rights of eminent domain (including those for streets, roads, bridges, railroads, electric transmission and distribution lines, telegraph and telephone lines, flood control, air rights, water rights, rights of others with respect to navigable waters, sewage and drainage rights) that exist as of the Closing Date or at the time the affected property is acquired, or are granted by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and other similar charges or encumbrances which do not secure the payment of Indebtedness and otherwise do not materially interfere with the occupation, use and enjoyment by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any property in the normal course of business or materially impair the value thereof;
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(bb) Liens upon specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of the Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries securing such Persons obligations in respect of bankers acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;
(cc) licenses granted in the ordinary course of business and leases of property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that are not material to the business and operations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; and
(dd) Liens on existing and future cash, U.S. government securities, and letters of credit securing or supporting Swap Agreements.
Section 6.03 Sale and Lease-back Transactions . Enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, with any Person whereby it shall sell or transfer any property, real or personal, used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such property or other property that it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property being sold or transferred (a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction ), provided that a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction shall be permitted so long as at the time the lease in connection therewith is entered into, and after giving effect to the entering into of such lease, the Remaining Present Value of such lease (together with the Remaining Present Value of outstanding leases previously entered into under this Section 6.03) would not exceed U.S. $25,000,000.
Section 6.04 Investments, Loans and Advances . Purchase, hold or acquire (including pursuant to any merger or amalgamation with a Person that is not a Subsidiary immediately prior to such merger) any Equity Interests, evidences of Indebtedness or other securities of, make or permit to exist any loans or advances (other than intercompany current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with the cash management operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, which cash management operations shall not extend to any other Person) to or Guarantees of the obligations of, or make or permit to exist any investment or any other interest (each, an Investment ), in any other Person, except:
(a) Investments (including, but not limited to, Investments in Equity Interests, intercompany loans, and Guarantees of Indebtedness otherwise expressly permitted hereunder) by (i) Loan Parties in Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties in an aggregate amount (valued at the time of the making thereof and without giving effect to any write-downs or write-offs thereof) not to exceed an amount equal to the sum of, without duplication, U.S. $50,000,000 plus any return of capital actually received by the respective investors in respect of investments previously made by them pursuant to this clause 6.04(a)(i) plus, an amount equal to the fair market value of any assets or property that is contributed or transferred from any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to any Loan Party from and after the Closing Date and (ii) Loan Parties in other Loan Parties;
(b) Permitted Investments and Investments that were Permitted Investments when made;
(c) Investments arising out of the receipt by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of noncash consideration for the sale of assets permitted under Section 6.05;
(d) (i) loans and advances to employees of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries not to exceed U.S. $10,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding (calculated without regard to write-downs or write-offs thereof) and (ii) advances of payroll payments and expenses to employees of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;
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(e) accounts receivable arising and trade credit granted in the ordinary course of business and any securities received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors to the extent reasonably necessary in order to prevent or limit loss and any prepayments and other credits to suppliers made in the ordinary course of business;
(f) Swap Agreements permitted pursuant to Section 6.12;
(g) Investments existing on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 6.04 ;
(h) Investments resulting from pledges and deposits referred to in Section 6.02(f), (g) and (dd);
(i) so long as immediately before and after giving effect to such Investment no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, other Investments by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount at any time outstanding (valued at the time of the making thereof, and without giving effect to any write-downs or write-offs thereof or any increases in value thereof) not to exceed the greater of U.S. $100,000,000 and 5.0% of Consolidated Total Assets;
(j) Investments constituting Permitted Business Acquisitions, so long as any Person acquired in connection with such Permitted Business Acquisitions and each of such Persons Subsidiaries guarantees the Obligations to the extent required by Section 5.10;
(k) additional Investments to the extent made with proceeds of Equity Interests of the Borrower or capital contributions;
(l) Investments (including, but not limited to, Investments in Equity Interests, intercompany loans, and Guarantees of Indebtedness otherwise expressly permitted hereunder) by Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties in any Loan Party or other Subsidiaries;
(m) reserved;
(n) Investments received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of, or settlement of delinquent accounts and disputes with or judgments against, customers and suppliers, in each case in the ordinary course of business;
(o) Investments of a Subsidiary of the Borrower acquired after the Closing Date or of a corporation merged or amalgamated or consolidated into the Borrower or merged or amalgamated into or consolidated with a Subsidiary of the Borrower in accordance with Section 6.05 after the Closing Date to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, merger or consolidation and were in existence on the date of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation; and
(p) Guarantees by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries of operating leases (other than Capital Lease Obligations) or of other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness, in each case entered into by any Subsidiary of the Borrower in the ordinary course of business.
Section 6.05 Mergers, Consolidations, Sales of Assets and Acquisitions . Merge into, amalgamate with or consolidate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into, amalgamate with or consolidate with it, or sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or any part of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired), or issue, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any Equity Interests of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
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or preferred equity interests of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire (in one transaction or a series of transactions) all or any substantial part of the assets of any other Person, except that this Section shall not prohibit:
(a) (i) the purchase and sale of inventory, supplies, materials and equipment and the purchase and sale of rights or licenses or leases of intellectual property, in each case in the ordinary course of business by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (ii) the sale of any other asset in the ordinary course of business by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (iii) the sale of surplus, obsolete or worn out equipment or other property in the ordinary course of business by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or (iv) the sale of Permitted Investments in the ordinary course of business;
(b) if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (i) the merger or consolidation of any Subsidiary of the Borrower into the Borrower in a transaction in which the Borrower is the surviving entity, (ii) the merger or consolidation of any Subsidiary of the Borrower, including without limitation, any Subsidiary that is a Loan Party, into or with any Loan Party in a transaction in which the surviving or resulting entity is a Loan Party, (iii) the merger, amalgamation or consolidation of any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Loan Party into or with any other Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Loan Party, or (iv) the liquidation, winding up, or dissolution of any Subsidiary of the Borrower if the Borrower determines in good faith that such liquidation, winding up, or dissolution is in the best interests of the Borrower and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders taken as a whole or (v) the change in form of entity of the Borrower or any Subsidiary if the Borrower determines in good faith that such change in form is in the best interests of the Borrower and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders taken as a whole; for the avoidance of doubt it is agreed that each of Franks International Trinidad Unlimited, Franks International Ecuador, C.A. and Franks International Venezuela C.A. shall be permitted to change its form of entity after the Closing Date;
(c) sales, transfers, leases or other dispositions to the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise); provided that if as a result thereof any Subsidiary not previously a Material Subsidiary becomes a Material Subsidiary, such Subsidiary complies with the provisions of Section 5.10(b);
(d) Sale and Lease-Back Transactions permitted by Section 6.03;
(e) Investments permitted by Section 6.04, Liens permitted by Section 6.02 and dividends permitted by Section 6.06;
(f) the sale of defaulted receivables in the ordinary course of business and not as part of an accounts receivables financing transaction;
(g) sales, transfers, leases or other dispositions of assets not otherwise permitted by this Section 6.05; provided that the aggregate gross proceeds (including noncash proceeds) of any or all assets sold, transferred, leased or otherwise disposed of in reliance upon this paragraph (g) shall not exceed, in any fiscal year of the Borrower, 10.0% of Consolidated Total Assets as of the end of the immediately preceding fiscal year; and provided further that after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred;
(h) any merger or consolidation in connection with a Permitted Business Acquisition, provided that following any such merger or consolidation (i) involving the Borrower, the Borrower is the surviving corporation and (ii) involving a Subsidiary, the surviving or resulting entity shall be a Subsidiary;
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(i) licensing and cross-licensing arrangements involving any technology or other intellectual property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business; and
(j) abandonment, cancellation or disposition of any intellectual property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 6.05 above, (i) the Borrower may, so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, sell, grant or otherwise issue Equity Interests to members of management of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries of the Borrower pursuant to stock option, stock ownership, stock incentive or similar plans, (ii) no sale, transfer or other disposition of assets shall be permitted by this Section 6.05 (other than sales, transfers, leases or other dispositions to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to paragraph (c) hereof) unless such disposition is for fair market value, (iii) no sale, transfer or other disposition of assets shall be permitted by paragraph (a) or (d) of this Section 6.05 unless such disposition is for at least 51% cash consideration and (iv) no sale, transfer or other disposition of assets in excess of U.S. $10,000,000 shall be permitted by paragraph (g) of this Section 6.05 unless such disposition is for at least 51% cash consideration; provided that for purposes of clauses (iii) and (iv), the amount of any secured Indebtedness or other Indebtedness of a Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Loan Party (as shown on the Borrowers or such Subsidiarys most recent balance sheet or in the notes thereto) that is assumed by the transferee of any such assets shall be deemed to be cash.
Section 6.06 Dividends and Distributions . Declare or pay, directly or indirectly, any dividend or make any other distribution (by reduction of capital or otherwise), whether in cash, property, securities or a combination thereof, with respect to any of its Equity Interests (other than dividends and distributions on Equity Interests payable solely by the issuance of additional shares of Equity Interests of the Person paying such dividends or distributions) or directly or indirectly redeem, purchase, retire or otherwise acquire for value any shares of any class of its Equity Interests or set aside any amount for any such purpose; provided, however , that:
(a) the Borrower and any Subsidiary of the Borrower may declare and pay dividends to, repurchase its Equity Interests from, or make other distributions to, the Borrower or any Subsidiary (or, in the case of Subsidiaries that are not Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of the Borrower, to the Borrower or any Subsidiary that is a direct or indirect parent of such Subsidiary and to each other owner of Equity Interests of such Subsidiary on a pro rata basis (or more favorable basis from the perspective of the Borrower or such Subsidiary) based on their relative ownership interests);
(b) the Borrower and each of the Subsidiaries may repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire to finance any such repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value any Equity Interests of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries held by any current or former officer, director, consultant, or employee (or persons holding similar positions or performing similar functions for non-corporate entities) of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower or, to the extent such Equity Interests were issued as compensation for services rendered on behalf of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower, pursuant to any equity subscription agreement, stock option agreement, shareholders, members or partnership agreement or similar agreement, plan or arrangement or any Plan and the Borrower and Subsidiaries may declare and pay dividends to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary of the Borrower the proceeds of which are used for such purposes, provided that the aggregate amount of such purchases or redemptions in cash under this paragraph (b) shall not exceed in any fiscal year U.S. $3,000,000 (plus the amount of net proceeds (x) received by the Borrower during such calendar year from sales of Equity Interests of the Borrower to directors, consultants, officers or employees (or persons holding similar positions or performing similar functions for non-corporate entities) of the Borrower or any of its Affiliates in connection with permitted employee compensation and incentive arrangements and (y) of any key-man life insurance policies received during such calendar year) which, if not used in any year, may be carried forward to any subsequent calendar year;
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(c) noncash repurchases, redemptions or exchanges of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options or exchange of exchangeable shares if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options;
(d) provided no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom, the Borrower may declare and pay dividends or make other distributions from the proceeds of any issuance of Equity Interests permitted to be made under this Agreement;
(e) the Borrower may from time to time declare or make a distribution on or with respect to the Equity Interests of the Borrower during any fiscal quarter provided no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom;
(f) Franks International C.V. may reimburse FIMBV for all costs and expenses incurred by FIMBV that are directly attributable to the operation of Franks International C.V., including costs for engaging third parties such as consultants, attorneys and accountants; and
(g) Franks International C.V. may reimburse FINV for all of its general, administrative, overhead and other indirect costs and expenses, including (i) those costs and expenses attributable to operating as a publicly traded company, (ii) costs of securities offerings, (iii) board of directors compensation and meeting costs, (iv) costs of periodic reports to shareholders, (v) litigation costs and damages arising from litigation, (vi) accounting and legal costs and (vii) franchise taxes.
Section 6.07 Transactions with Affiliates . (a) Sell or transfer any property or assets to, or purchase or acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transaction with, any of its Affiliates, unless such transaction is upon terms no less favorable in any material respect taken as a whole to the Borrower or applicable Subsidiary than would be obtained in a comparable arms-length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate; provided that this clause (a) shall not apply to the indemnification of directors or officers (or persons holding similar positions or performing similar functions for non-corporate entities) of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in accordance with customary practice.
(b) The foregoing paragraph (a) shall not prohibit, to the extent otherwise permitted under this Agreement,
(i) any issuance of securities, or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment arrangements, stock options, stock ownership plans, including restricted stock plans, stock grants, directed share programs and other equity based plans customarily maintained by similar companies and the granting and performance of registration rights approved by the governing body of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries,
(ii) transactions between or among the Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries or between or among any of the Subsidiaries of the Borrower,
(iii) any indemnification agreement or any similar arrangement entered into with directors, officers, consultants and employees (or persons holding similar positions or performing similar functions for non-corporate entities) of the Borrower or any of its Affiliates in the ordinary course of business and the payment of fees and indemnities to directors, officers,
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consultants and employees (or persons holding similar positions or performing similar functions for non-corporate entities) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and, to the extent such fees and indemnities are directly attributable to services rendered on behalf of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,
(iv) reserved,
(v) any employment agreement or employee benefit plan entered into by the Borrower or any of its Affiliates in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice and payments pursuant thereto,
(vi) transactions otherwise permitted under Section 6.06 and Investments permitted by Section 6.04; provided that this clause (vi) shall not apply to any Investment, whether direct or indirect, in either (x) Persons that were not Subsidiaries immediately prior to such Investment or (y) Persons that are not Subsidiaries immediately after such Investment,
(vii) reserved,
(viii) reserved,
(ix) the existence of, or the performance by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of its obligations under the terms of any agreement contemplated thereunder to which it is a party as of the Closing Date, provided , however , that the existence of, or the performance by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of obligations under any future amendment to any such existing agreement or under any similar agreement entered into after the Closing Date shall only be permitted by this clause (ix) to the extent that the terms of any such amendment or new agreement are not otherwise materially disadvantageous to the Lenders,
(x) transactions with any Affiliate for the purchase or sale of goods, products, parts and services entered into in the ordinary course of business in a manner consistent with past practice,
(xi) any transaction in respect of which the Borrower delivers to the Administrative Agent (for delivery to the Lenders) a letter addressed to a Subsidiary from an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm, in each case of nationally recognized standing that is (A) in the good faith determination of the Borrower qualified to render such letter and (B) reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, which letter states that such transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to the applicable Subsidiary, than would be obtained in a comparable arms-length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate, and
(xii) guarantees of payment or performance by any Loan Party of any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Loan Party in the ordinary course of business.
Section 6.08 Business of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries . Notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, (a) no Subsidiary of the Borrower shall engage at any time in any line of business substantially different from the line of business conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date and any business or business activities incidental or related thereto, or any business or activity that is reasonably similar thereto or a reasonable extension, development or expansion thereof or ancillary thereto and (b) with respect to the Borrower, engage in any business, operations or activity, or hold any material property, other than (i) holding Equity Interests of its Subsidiaries, (ii) issuing, selling and redeeming its own Equity Interests, (iii) paying Taxes, (iv) holding partners meetings, preparing
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partnership and similar records and other activities required to maintain its separate partnership or other legal structure, (v) preparing reports to, and preparing and making notices to and filings with, Governmental Authorities and to its holders of Equity Interests or Indebtedness, (vi) receiving, and holding proceeds of, dividends and distributions from the its Subsidiaries and distributing the proceeds thereof to the extent not prohibited by Section 6.06, (vii) as necessary to consummate any Permitted Business Acquisition, (viii) guaranteeing Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01, and (ix) other activities related or incidental to any of the foregoing.
Section 6.09 Limitation on Modifications of Indebtedness; Modifications of Certificate of Incorporation, By-laws and Certain Other Agreements; etc. . (a) Amend or modify or grant any waiver or release under or terminate in any manner the articles or certificate of incorporation or by-laws, partnership agreement or limited liability company operating agreement of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case, if such amendment, modification, waiver, release or termination could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(b) (i) Make, or agree or offer to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any payment or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) of or in respect of principal of or interest on Permitted Senior Unsecured Debt or any payment or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any Permitted Senior Unsecured Debt, except for (A) payments of regularly scheduled interest, (B) payments made solely with the proceeds from the issuance of common Equity Interests or from equity contributions, (C) (1) prepayments made with the proceeds of any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof or (2) prepayments with the proceeds of any non-cash interest bearing Equity Interests issued for such purchase that are not redeemable prior to the date that is six months following the Revolving Facility Maturity Date and that have terms and covenants no more restrictive in any material respect taken as a whole than the Permitted Senior Unsecured Debt being so refinanced, and (D) any mandatory payments required in respect of Permitted Senior Unsecured Debt in accordance with the terms thereof; or
(ii) Amend or modify, or permit the amendment or modification of, any provision of any Permitted Senior Unsecured Debt or any agreement relating thereto other than amendments or modifications that are not materially adverse to the Lenders.
(c) Enter into any agreement or instrument that by its terms restricts (i) the payment of dividends or distributions or the making of cash advances to a Loan Party by Borrower or a Subsidiary or (ii) the granting of Liens by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders, except, in each case, restrictions existing by reason of:
(A) restrictions imposed by applicable law;
(B) contractual encumbrances or restrictions, such as negative pledge agreements, in effect on the Closing Date under any agreements related to any permitted renewal, extension or refinancing of any Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date that does not expand the scope of any such encumbrance or restriction beyond that in effect on the Closing Date;
(C) any restriction on a Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an agreement entered into for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all the Equity Interests or assets of such Subsidiary pending the closing of such sale or disposition;
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(D) customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements applicable to joint ventures entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(E) any restrictions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement to the extent that such restrictions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness;
(F) customary provisions contained in leases or licenses of intellectual property and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(G) customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest;
(H) customary provisions restricting assignment of any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(I) customary restrictions and conditions contained in any agreement relating to the sale of any asset permitted under Section 6.05 pending the consummation of such sale;
(J) in the case of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary after the Closing Date, any agreement in effect at the time such Person so becomes a Subsidiary, so long as such agreement was not entered into in contemplation of such Person becoming such a Subsidiary; or
(K) restrictions imposed by any Permitted Senior Unsecured Debt that are substantially similar to restrictions set forth in this Agreement and in any case do not restrict the granting of Liens to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders.
(d) change or permit any material change to be made in its accounting and bookkeeping system from that used in prior periods except in accordance with GAAP.
Section 6.10 Leverage Ratio . Beginning with the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2013, for any Test Period, permit the Leverage Ratio on the last day of any fiscal quarter, to be in excess of 2.50:1.00.
Section 6.11 Interest Coverage Ratio . Beginning with the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2013, for any Test Period, permit the Interest Coverage Ratio on the last day of any fiscal quarter to be less than 3.00:1.00.
Section 6.12 Swap Agreements . Enter into any Swap Agreement, other than (a) Swap Agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business to hedge or mitigate risks to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is exposed in the conduct of its business or the management of its liabilities, and (b) Swap Agreements entered into in order to effectively cap, collar or exchange interest rates (from fixed to floating rates, from one floating rate to another floating rate or otherwise) with respect to any interest-bearing liability or investment of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, which in the case of each of clauses (a) and (b) are entered into for bona fide risk mitigation purposes and that are not speculative in nature.
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ARTICLE VII
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
Section 7.01 Events of Default . In case of the happening of any of the following events ( Events of Default ):
(a) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by a Loan Party in any Loan Document or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other instrument furnished in connection with or pursuant to any Loan Document shall prove to have been false or misleading in any respect material to the Borrowers creditworthiness or to the rights or interests of the Lenders when made or deemed made by such Loan Party;
(b) default shall be made in the payment of any principal of any Loan or the reimbursement with respect to any Revolving L/C Disbursement when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or by acceleration thereof or otherwise;
(c) default shall be made in the payment of any interest on any Loan or on any Revolving L/C Disbursement or in the payment of any Fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in paragraph (b) above) due under any Loan Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of five (5) days;
(d) default shall be made in the due observance or performance by any Loan Party of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 5.01(a) (with respect to the Borrower), 5.05(a), 5.08 or in Article VI;
(e) default shall be made in the due observance or performance by any Loan Party of any covenant, condition or agreement of such Person contained in any Loan Document (other than those specified in paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) above) and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 60 days after notice thereof from the Administrative Agent or any Lender to the Borrower;
(f) (i) (x) any event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or (y) any Loan Party fails to comply with any of its covenants or agreements under any agreement or instrument relating to any of its Material Indebtedness and such failure enables or permits (with all applicable grace periods having expired) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity or (ii) any Loan Party shall fail to pay the principal of any Material Indebtedness at the stated final maturity thereof; provided that this clause (f) shall not apply to (A) 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 and (B) Indebtedness that is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;
(g) there shall have occurred a Change in Control;
(h) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed in a court of competent jurisdiction seeking (i) relief in respect of any Loan Party, or of a substantial part of the property or assets of any Loan Party, taken as a whole, under Title 11 of the United States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended or any other federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law, (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator,
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conservator or similar official for any Loan Party or for a substantial part of the property or assets of any Loan Party, taken as a whole, or (iii) the winding-up or liquidation of any Loan Party (except, in the case of any Subsidiary, in a transaction permitted by Section 6.05); and such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for 60 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;
(i) any Loan Party shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking relief under Title 11 of the United States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended, or any other federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or the filing of any petition described in paragraph (h) above, (iii) apply for, request or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for any Loan Party or for a substantial part of the property or assets of any Loan Party, taken as a whole, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;
(j) the failure by any Loan Party to pay one or more final judgments aggregating in excess of U.S. $30,000,000 (net of any amounts which are covered by insurance or bonded), which judgments are not discharged or effectively waived or stayed for a period of 30 consecutive days, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to levy upon assets or properties of any Loan Party to enforce any such judgment;
(k) one or more ERISA Events 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;
(l) (i) any Loan Document shall for any reason be asserted in writing by any Loan Party not to be a legal, valid and binding obligation of any party thereto, or (ii) the Guarantees by any Loan Party of any of the Obligations shall cease to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms thereof);
(m) (A) any Environmental Claim against any Loan Party or (B) in the absence of any Environmental Claim against any Loan Party, to the knowledge of the Borrower, occurrence of a Release or threatened Release of Hazardous Materials (1) at, under, on or from any real property currently owned, leased or operated by Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries, or (2) to the extent such Release or threatened Release arose from the operations of Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries, or any predecessor of any Loan Party at, under, on or from any real property (x) formerly owned, leased or operated by Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries or any predecessor of any Loan Party, or (y) any property offsite the property of Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries or any predecessor of any Loan Party to which any Loan Party has sent Hazardous Materials for treatment, storage or disposal, (each, an Environmental Event ) shall have occurred that, when taken together with all other unresolved Environmental Events that have occurred would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(n) an Event of Default (as defined in the 364-Day Credit Facility) shall occur and be continuing; or
(o) Subsidiaries of FINV, other than the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, account for more than 5% of FINVs Consolidated Total Assets or more than 5% of FINVs Consolidated Net Income;
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then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to a Loan Party described in paragraph (h) or (i) above), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, or at the request of the Required Lenders shall, by notice to the Borrower, take any or all of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate forthwith the Commitments, (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be forthwith due and payable in whole or in part, whereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and any unpaid accrued Fees and all other liabilities of the Borrower accrued hereunder and under any other Loan Document, shall become forthwith due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower, anything contained herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding and (iii) demand cash collateral pursuant to Section 2.05(j); and in any event described in paragraph (h) or (i) above, the Commitments shall automatically terminate, the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and any unpaid accrued Fees and all other liabilities of the Borrower accrued hereunder and under any other Loan Document, shall automatically become due and payable and the Administrative Agent shall be deemed to have made a demand for cash collateral to the full extent permitted under Section 2.05(j), without presentment, demand, protest, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower, anything contained herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding.
ARTICLE VIII
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Section 8.01 Appointment and Authority . (a) Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks hereby irrevocably appoints Amegy to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.
(b) The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, any appointees thereof, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, and no Loan Party shall have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions.
Section 8.02 Rights as a Lender . Any Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender, and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and the term Lender or Lenders shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include a Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.
Section 8.03 Exculpatory Provisions . The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent:
(a) shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;
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(b) shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents), provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law;
(c) shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity;
(d) shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 9.08 and 7.01) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct;
(e) shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or (iv) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent; and
(f) shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless and until notice describing such Default or Event of Default is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower, a Lender or an Issuing Bank.
Section 8.04 Reliance by Administrative Agent . The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan or issuance of a Revolving Letter of Credit that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or an Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or Issuing Bank unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or Issuing Bank prior to the making of such Loan or issuance of a Revolving Letter of Credit, as applicable. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.
Section 8.05 Delegation of Duties . The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or
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through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as the Administrative Agent.
Section 8.06 Resignation of the Administrative Agent . The Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders, Issuing Banks and the Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor with the consent of the Borrower (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) (unless a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, in which event no consent of the Borrower is required), which shall be a financial institution with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such financial institution with an office in the United States. During the Administrative Agent Default Period, the Borrower and the Required Lenders may remove the Administrative Agent subject to the execution and delivery by the Borrower and the Required Lenders of removal and liability release agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, which removal shall be effective upon the acceptance of appointment by a successor as the Administrative Agent. Upon any proposed removal of the Administrative Agent during the Administrative Agent Default Period, the Required Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor with the consent of the Borrower (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) (unless a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, in which event no consent of the Borrower is required), which shall be a financial institution with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such financial institution with an office in the United States. In the case of the resignation of the Administrative Agent, if no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and the Borrower and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (a) the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (b) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender or Issuing Bank directly, until such time as the Required Lenders and the Borrower appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above in this Section and (c) the Borrower and the Lenders agree that in no event shall the retiring Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents advisors or representatives have any liability to the Loan Parties, any Lender or any other Person or entity for damages of any kind, including, without limitation, direct or indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the failure of a successor Administrative Agent to be appointed and to accept such appointment. Upon the acceptance of a successors appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) or removed Administrative Agent, and the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section). The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After the retiring Administrative Agents resignation or removal hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article (including Section 8.12) and Section 9.05 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring or removed Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring or removed Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent.
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Section 8.07 Non-Reliance on the Administrative Agent, Other Lenders and Other Issuing Banks . Each Lender and each Issuing Bank acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or Issuing Bank or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender and each Issuing Bank also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or Issuing Bank or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.
Section 8.08 No Other Duties, Etc. . Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Administrative Agent shall not have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as the Administrative Agent, a Lender or an Issuing Bank hereunder.
Section 8.09 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim . In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law or any other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:
(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.12, 8.12, and 9.05) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and
(b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender and each Issuing Bank to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, if the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.12, 8.12, and 9.05.
Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender or any Issuing Bank any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or any Issuing Bank to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender or any Issuing Bank in any such proceeding.
Section 8.10 Guaranty Matters . Each of the Lenders and each of the Issuing Banks irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent to release guarantees created by the Loan Documents in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.18; provided that no Default or Event of Default then exists
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or would, after giving effect to such release, exist and that Borrower is in compliance at all times with the requirements of Section 5.10(b). Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Required Lenders will confirm in writing Administrative Agents authority provided for in the previous sentence.
Section 8.11 Reserved .
Section 8.12 Indemnification . Each Lender and Issuing Bank agrees (i) to reimburse the Administrative Agent, on demand, in the amount of its pro rata share based on its Commitments hereunder or if such Commitments shall have expired or been terminated, in accordance with the respective principal amounts of its applicable outstanding Loans or portion of outstanding Revolving L/C Disbursements owed to it, as applicable, of any reasonable expenses incurred for the benefit of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks by the Administrative Agent, including reasonable counsel fees and compensation of agents and employees paid for services rendered on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, which shall not have been reimbursed by the Borrower within 10 Business Days of written demand therefor and (ii) to indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent and any of its directors, officers, employees or agents, on demand, in the amount of such pro rata share, from and against any and all liabilities, Taxes, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against it in its capacity as Administrative Agent or any of them in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any action taken or omitted by it or any of them under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, to the extent the same shall not have been reimbursed by the Borrower, provided that no Lender or Issuing Bank shall be liable to the Administrative Agent for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements to the extent found in a final non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted primarily from the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of the Administrative Agent or any of its directors, officers, employees or agents.
Section 8.13 Appointment of Supplemental Administrative Agent . (a) It is the purpose of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents that there shall be no violation of any law of any jurisdiction denying or restricting the right of banking corporations or associations or other institutions to transact business as agent or trustee in such jurisdiction. It is recognized that in case of litigation under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, and in particular in case of the enforcement of any of the Loan Documents, or in case the Administrative Agent deems that by reason of any present or future law of any jurisdiction it may not exercise any of the rights, powers or remedies granted herein or in any of the other Loan Documents or take any other action which may be desirable or necessary in connection therewith, it may be necessary that the Administrative Agent appoint an additional institution as a separate trustee, co-trustee, administrative agent, collateral agent, collateral sub-agent or collateral co-agent (any such additional individual or institution being referred to herein individually as a Supplemental Administrative Agent and collectively as Supplemental Administrative Agents ).
(b) In the event that the Administrative Agent appoints a Supplemental Administrative Agent, (i) each and every right, power, privilege or duty expressed or intended by this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents to be exercised by or vested in or conveyed to the Administrative Agent shall be exercisable by and vest in such Supplemental Administrative Agent to the extent, and only to the extent, necessary to enable such Supplemental Administrative Agent to exercise such rights, powers and privileges and to perform such duties, and every covenant and obligation contained in the Loan Documents and necessary to the exercise or performance thereof by such Supplemental Administrative Agent shall run to and be enforceable by either the Administrative Agent or such Supplemental Administrative Agent, and (ii) the provisions of this Article and of Section 9.05 that refer to the Administrative Agent shall inure to the benefit of such Supplemental Administrative Agent and all references therein to the Administrative Agent shall be deemed to be references to the Administrative Agent and/or such Supplemental Administrative Agent, as the context may require.
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(c) Should any instrument in writing from any Loan Party be required by any Supplemental Administrative Agent so appointed by the Administrative Agent for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to it such rights, powers, privileges and duties, such Loan Party shall execute, acknowledge and deliver any and all such instruments promptly upon request by the Administrative Agent. In case any Supplemental Administrative Agent, or a successor thereto, shall die, become incapable of acting, resign or be removed, all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of such Supplemental Administrative Agent, to the extent permitted by law, shall vest in and be exercised by the Administrative Agent until the appointment of a new Supplemental Administrative Agent.
Section 8.14 Withholding . To the extent required by any applicable law, the Administrative Agent may withhold from any payment to any Lender or Issuing Bank an amount equivalent to any applicable withholding Tax. If any payment has been made to any Lender or Issuing Bank by the Administrative Agent without the applicable withholding Tax being withheld from such payment and the Administrative Agent has paid over the applicable withholding Tax to the Internal Revenue Service or any other Governmental Authority, or the Internal Revenue Service or any other Governmental Authority asserts a claim that the Administrative Agent did not properly withhold Tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Lender or Issuing Bank because the appropriate form was not delivered or was not properly executed or because such Lender or Issuing Bank failed to notify the Administrative Agent of a change in circumstance which rendered the exemption from, or reduction of, withholding Tax ineffective or for any other reason, such Lender or Issuing Bank shall indemnify the Administrative Agent fully for all amounts paid, directly or indirectly, by the Administrative Agent as Tax or otherwise, including any penalties or interest and together with all expenses (including legal expenses and out-of-pocket expenses) incurred.
Section 8.15 Enforcement . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the authority to enforce rights and remedies hereunder and under the other Loan Documents against the Loan Parties or any of them shall be vested exclusively in, and all actions and proceedings at law in connection with such enforcement shall be instituted and maintained exclusively by, the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 7.01 for the benefit of all the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, as applicable; provided , however, that the foregoing shall not prohibit (a) the Administrative Agent from exercising on its own behalf the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as Administrative Agent) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (b) any Lender or Issuing Bank from exercising setoff rights in accordance with Section 9.06 (subject to the terms of Section 2.18(c)), or (c) any Lender or Issuing Bank from filing proofs of claim or appearing and filing pleadings on its own behalf during the pendency of a proceeding relative to any Loan Party under any federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law; and provided , further , that if at any time there is no Person acting as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, then (i) the Required Lenders shall have the rights otherwise ascribed to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 7.01 (ii) in addition to the matters set forth in clauses (b) and (c) of the preceding proviso and subject to Section 2.18(c), any Lender or Issuing Bank may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, enforce any rights and remedies available to it and as authorized by the Required Lenders.
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ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 9.01 Notices . (a) Notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:
(i) if to the Borrower, to Franks International C.V., 10260 Westheimer Road, Houston, Texas 77042 attention: Brian D. Baird, fax: (281) 558-2980, e-mail:brian.baird@franksintl.com;
(ii) if to the Administrative Agent, to Amegy at 4400 Post Oak Parkway, Houston, Texas 77027, Attention: Brad Ellis; fax: (713) 561-0345, e-mail: brad.ellis@amegybank.com;
(iii) if to the Swingline Facility Lender, to Amegy at 4400 Post Oak Parkway, Houston, Texas 77027, Attention: Brad Ellis; fax: (713) 561-0345, e-mail: brad.ellis@amegybank.com; and
(iv) if to an Issuing Bank or any Lender, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified in its Administrative Questionnaire.
(b) Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to service of process, or to notices pursuant to Article II unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender. Each of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided further that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.
(c) All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt if delivered by hand or overnight courier service or sent by telecopy or (to the extent permitted by paragraph (b) above) electronic means prior to 4:00 p.m. (Houston, Texas time) on such date, or on the date five Business Days after dispatch by certified or registered mail if mailed, in each case delivered, sent or mailed (properly addressed) to such party as provided in this Section 9.01 or in accordance with the latest unrevoked direction from such party given in accordance with this Section 9.01.
(d) Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.
Section 9.02 Survival of Agreement . All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Borrower and the other Loan Parties herein, in the other Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments prepared or delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the Lenders, the Swingline Facility Lender and each Issuing Bank and shall survive the making by the Lenders of the Loans, the making by the Swingline Facility Lender of Swingline Facility Loans, the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the issuance of the Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by such Persons or on their behalf, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or Revolving L/C Disbursement or any Fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document is outstanding and unpaid or any Revolving Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long as the Commitments have not been terminated. Without
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prejudice to the survival of any other agreements contained herein, indemnification and reimbursement obligations contained herein (including pursuant to Sections 2.15, 2.17 and 9.05) shall survive the payment in full of the principal and interest hereunder, the expiration of the Letters of Credit and the termination of the Commitments or this Agreement.
Section 9.03 Binding Effect . This Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received copies hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower, each Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent and each Lender and their respective permitted successors and assigns.
Section 9.04 Successors and Assigns . (a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of any Issuing Bank that issues any Revolving Letter of Credit), except that (i) the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of any Issuing Bank that issues any Revolving Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided in paragraph (c) of this Section), the Lenders (including the Swingline Facility Lender), the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank, and the Lenders (including the Swingline Facility Lender), and the Indemnitees) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
(b) (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may 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 at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of:
(A) the Borrower; provided that no consent of the Borrower shall be required for an assignment to a Lender or, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any other assignee;
(B) the Administrative Agent;
(C) the Swingline Facility Lender; and
(D) each Issuing Lender.
(ii) Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:
(A) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lenders Commitment or contemporaneous assignments to related Approved Funds that equal at least U.S. $2,500,000 in the aggregate, the amount of the Commitment and/or Loans, as applicable, of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Acceptance with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than U.S. $5,000,000 and increments of U.S. $1,000,000 in excess thereof unless the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent; provided that no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;
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(B) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lenders rights and obligations in respect of the Revolving Facility under this Agreement;
(C) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Acceptance;
(D) the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire and any other administrative information that the Administrative Agent may reasonably request;
(E) no such assignment shall be made to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates, or a Defaulting Lender; and
(F) notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no such assignment shall be made to a natural person.
For purposes of this Section 9.04(b), the term Approved Fund shall have the following meaning:
Approved Fund shall mean any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course and that is administered or managed by a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.
(iii) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(iv) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender hereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all of the assigning Lenders 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 Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.05). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 9.04 shall not be effective as an assignment hereunder.
(iv) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of, and principal amount (and stated interest) of the Loans and Revolving L/C Disbursements owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the Register ). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, any Issuing Bank and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
(v) The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a processing and recordation fee in the amount of $3,500; provided , however , that the
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Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment. Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Acceptance executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, any administrative information reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, and the processing and recordation fee referred to above (unless waived as set forth above), the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Acceptance and record the information contained therein in the Register. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.
(c) (i) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any Issuing Bank, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a Participant ) in all or a portion of such Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans and Revolving L/C Disbursements owing to it); provided that (A) such Lenders obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, (C) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement and (D) such Lender shall maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participants interest in the Loans (or other rights or obligations) held by it (a Participant Register) , which entries shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Lender shall permit Borrower to review the Participant Register and to disclose information in the Participant Register to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Commitments, Loans, Revolving Letters of Credit or other obligations are in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. Any agreement or instrument (oral or written) pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to exercise rights under and to enforce this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided that (x) such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in clause (i) through (vii) of the first proviso to Section 9.08(b) that affects such Participant and (y) no other agreement (oral or written) in respect of the foregoing with respect to such Participant may exist between such Lender and such Participant. Subject to paragraph (c)(ii) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits (and subject to the requirements and limitations) of Sections 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 to the same extent as if it were the Lender from whom it obtained its participation and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.06 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.18(c) as though it were a Lender.
(ii) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.15, 2.16 or 2.17 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 Borrowers prior written consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) and the Borrower may withhold its consent if a Participant would be entitled to require greater payment than the applicable Lender under such Sections. A Participant that would be a Non-U.S.Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.17 to the extent such Participant fails to comply with Section 2.17(e) as though it were a Lender.
(d) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement and its Note, if any, to secure obligations of such Lender,
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including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank or other central bank, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto, and any such pledgee (other than a pledgee that is the Federal Reserve Bank or another central bank) shall acknowledge in writing that its rights under such pledge are in all respects subject to the limitations applicable to the pledging Lender under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.
Section 9.05 Expenses; Indemnity . (a) The Borrower agrees to pay all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates in connection with the preparation of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, or by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates in connection with the syndication of the Commitments or the administration of this Agreement or in connection with any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the Transactions hereby contemplated shall be consummated) or incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates or any Lender in connection with the enforcement or protection of their rights in connection with, or any workout or restructuring involving, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, in connection with the Loans made or the Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of Thompson & Knight LLP, special counsel for the Administrative Agent, and, in connection with any such enforcement or protection, the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any other counsel; provided , that, absent any conflict of interest the Administrative Agent shall not be entitled to indemnification for the fees, charges or disbursements of more than one counsel in each jurisdiction.
(b) The Borrower agrees to indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank, the Swingline Facility Lender, each Lender and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an Indemnitee ) against, and to hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including reasonable and documented counsel fees, charges and disbursements, including legal fees and settlement costs, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in any way connected with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto and thereto of their respective obligations hereunder and thereunder or the consummation of the Transactions and the other transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, (ii) the use of the proceeds of the Loans or the use of any Revolving Letter of Credit or (iii) any claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether or not the Borrower, Borrowers Subsidiaries or any Indemnitee initiated or is a party thereto, provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined in a final nonappealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee. Subject to and without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, the Borrower agrees to indemnify each Indemnitee against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including reasonable and documented counsel or consultant fees, charges and disbursements, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in any way connected with, or as a result of (A) any Environmental Event or Environmental Claim to the extent related in any way to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any other Loan Party, or (B) any actual or alleged presence, Release or threatened Release of Hazardous Materials (1) at, under, on or from any real property currently owned, leased or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any other Loan Party, or (2) to the extent such presence, Release or threatened Release arose from the operations of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any other Loan Party, or any predecessor of any Loan Party at, under, on or from any real property, (x) formerly owned, leased or operated by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any other Loan Party or any predecessor of any Loan Party, or (y) any property offsite the property of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any other Loan Party or any predecessor of any Loan Party to which the Borrower or
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any of its Subsidiaries or any other Loan Party has sent Hazardous Materials for treatment, storage or disposal, provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or any of its Related Parties or would have arisen as against the Indemnitee regardless of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any Borrowings hereunder. In no event shall any Indemnitee be liable to any Loan Party for any consequential, indirect, special or punitive damages. No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed to such unintended recipients by such Indemnitee through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby other than for direct or actual damages resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. The provisions of this Section 9.05 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the expiration of the term of this Agreement, the consummation of the Transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of any of the Obligations, the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, the Swingline Facility Lender or any Lender. All amounts due under this Section 9.05 shall be payable on written demand therefor accompanied by reasonable documentation with respect to any reimbursement, indemnification or other amount requested.
(c) This Section 9.05 shall not apply to Taxes.
Section 9.06 Right of Set-off . If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each Issuing Bank 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) at any time held and other indebtedness at any time owing by such Lender or such Issuing Bank to or for the credit or the account of any Loan Party or any other Subsidiary of Borrower, against any and all obligations of the Loan Parties, now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document held by such Lender or such Issuing Bank, irrespective of whether or not such Lender or such Issuing Bank shall have made any demand under this Agreement or such other Loan Document and although the obligations may be unmatured. The rights of each Lender and each Issuing Bank under this Section 9.06 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of set-off) that such Lender or such Issuing Bank may have.
Section 9.07 Applicable Law . THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.
Section 9.08 Waivers; Amendment . (a) No failure or delay of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder or under any Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or consent to any departure by the Borrower or any other Loan Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) below, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice or demand on the Borrower or any other Loan Party in any case shall entitle such Person to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.
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(b) Neither this Agreement nor any other Loan Document nor any provision hereof or thereof may be waived, amended or modified except in the case of this Agreement and any other Loan Document, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the Required Lenders (or the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders); provided, however , that no such agreement shall
(i) decrease or forgive the principal amount of, or extend the final maturity of, or decrease the rate of interest on, any Loan or any Revolving L/C Disbursement, without the prior written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby; provided that any amendment to the financial covenant definitions in this Agreement shall not constitute a reduction in the rate of interest for purposes of this clause (i) ,
(ii) increase or extend the Commitment of any Lender or decrease the Commitment Fees or Revolving L/C Participation Fees or other fees payable to any Lender without the prior written consent of such Lender (it being understood that waivers or modifications of conditions precedent, covenants, Defaults or Events of Defaults shall not constitute an increase in the Commitments of any Lender),
(iii) extend any date on which any scheduled payment of interest on any Loan, Revolving L/C Disbursement or any Fees is due, without the prior written consent of each Lender adversely affected thereby,
(iv) amend or modify the provisions of Section 2.18(b) or (c) in a manner that would by its terms alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, without the prior written consent of each Lender adversely affected thereby,
(v) extend the stated expiration date of any Revolving Letter of Credit beyond the Revolving Maturity Date, without the prior written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby,
(vi) amend or modify the provisions of this Section or the definition of the terms Required Lenders or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the prior written consent of each Lender adversely affected thereby (it being understood that, with the consent of the Required Lenders, additional extensions of credit pursuant to this Agreement may be included in the determination of the Required Lenders on substantially the same basis as the Loans and Commitments are included on the Closing Date),
(vii) release any Loan Party (except in connection with a sale permitted pursuant to Section 6.05) without the prior written consent of each Lender and Issuing Bank, and
(viii) amend or modify the provisions of Section 4.01 or 4.02;
provided further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Facility Lender or an Issuing Bank hereunder or under the other Loan Documents without the prior written consent of such Administrative Agent, Swingline Facility Lender or an Issuing Bank, as applicable. Each Lender shall be bound by any waiver, amendment or modification authorized by this Section 9.08 and any consent by any Lender pursuant to this Section 9.08 shall bind any assignee of such Lender,
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(c) Reserved.
(d) Reserved.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) technical and conforming modifications to the Loan Documents may be made with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to the extent necessary to integrate any Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments on the terms and conditions provided for in Section 2.20 and (ii) any Loan Document may be amended, modified, supplemented or waived with the written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower without the need to obtain the consent of any Lender if such amendment, modification, supplement or waiver is executed and delivered in order to cure an ambiguity, omission, mistake or defect in such Loan Document; provided that in connection with this clause (ii), in no event will the Administrative Agent be required to substitute its judgment for the judgment of the Lenders or the Required Lenders, and the Administrative Agent may in all circumstances seek the approval of the Required Lenders, the affected Lenders or all Lenders in connection with any such amendment, modification, supplement or waiver.
Section 9.09 Interest Rate Limitatio n . It is the intention of the parties hereto that each Lender shall conform strictly to usury laws applicable to it. Accordingly, if the transactions contemplated hereby would be usurious as to any Lender under laws applicable to it (including the laws of the United States of America, the State of Texas or any other jurisdiction whose laws may be mandatorily applicable to such Lender notwithstanding the other provisions of this Agreement), then, in that event, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any of the Loan Documents or any agreement entered into in connection with or as security for the Notes, it is agreed as follows: (i) the aggregate of all consideration which constitutes interest under law applicable to any Lender that is contracted for, taken, reserved, charged or received by such Lender under any of the Loan Documents or agreements or otherwise in connection with the Notes shall under no circumstances exceed the maximum amount allowed by such applicable law, and any excess shall be canceled automatically and if theretofore paid shall be credited by such Lender on the principal amount of the Obligations (or, to the extent that the principal amount of the Obligations shall have been or would thereby be paid in full, refunded by such Lender to the Borrower); and (ii) in the event that the maturity of the Notes is accelerated by reason of an election of the holder thereof resulting from any Event of Default under this Agreement or otherwise, or in the event of any required or permitted prepayment, then such consideration that constitutes interest under law applicable to any Lender may never include more than the maximum amount allowed by such applicable law, and excess interest, if any, provided for in this Agreement or otherwise shall be canceled automatically by such Lender as of the date of such acceleration or prepayment and, if theretofore paid, shall be credited by such Lender on the principal amount of the Obligations (or, to the extent that the principal amount of the Obligations shall have been or would thereby be paid in full, refunded by such Lender to the Borrower). All sums paid or agreed to be paid to any Lender for the use, forbearance or detention of sums due hereunder shall, to the extent permitted by law applicable to such Lender, be amortized, prorated, allocated and spread throughout the stated term of the Loans evidenced by the Notes until payment in full so that the rate or amount of interest on account of any Loans hereunder does not exceed the maximum amount allowed by such applicable law. If at any time and from time to time (i) the amount of interest payable to any Lender on any date shall be computed at the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to such Lender pursuant to this Section 9.09 and (ii) in respect of any subsequent interest computation period the amount of interest otherwise payable to such Lender would be less than the amount of interest payable to such Lender computed at the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to such Lender, then the amount of interest payable to such Lender in respect of such subsequent interest computation period shall continue to be computed at the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to such Lender until the total amount of interest payable to such Lender shall equal the total amount of interest which would have been payable to such Lender if the total amount of interest had been computed without giving effect to this Section 9.09. To the extent that Chapter 303 of the Texas Finance Code is relevant for the purpose of determining the Highest Lawful
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Rate applicable to a Lender, such Lender elects to determine the applicable rate ceiling under such Chapter by the weekly ceiling from time to time in effect. Chapter 346 of the Texas Finance Code does not apply to the Borrowers obligations hereunder.
Section 9.10 Entire Agreement . This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the agreements regarding certain Fees referred to herein constitute the entire contract between the parties relative to the subject matter hereof. Any previous agreement among or representations from the parties or their Affiliates with respect to the subject matter hereof is superseded by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Fee Letter shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and remain in full force and effect. Nothing in this Agreement or in the other Loan Documents, expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the parties hereto and thereto any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.
Section 9.11 Waiver of Jury Trial . (a) EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS. EACH PARTY HERETO (i) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (ii) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, AS APPLICABLE, BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 9.11.
(b) Arbitration.
(i) If a claim, dispute, or controversy arises between us with respect to or arising out of this Agreement or any other Loan Document (all of the foregoing, a Dispute ), and only if a jury trial waiver is not permitted by applicable Law or ruling by a court, any of the parties hereto may require that the Dispute be resolved by binding arbitration before a single arbitrator at the request of any party. By agreeing to arbitrate a Dispute, each party gives up any right that party may have to a jury trial, as well as other rights that party would have in court that are not available or are more limited in arbitration, such as the rights to discovery and to appeal.
(ii) Arbitration shall be commenced by filing a petition with, and in accordance with the applicable arbitration rules of, the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services ( JAMS ) or National Arbitration Forum ( Administrator ) as selected by the initiating party. If the parties agree, arbitration may be commenced by appointment of a licensed attorney who is selected by the parties and who agrees to conduct the arbitration without an Administrator. Disputes include matters (i) relating to a deposit account, application for or denial of credit, enforcement of any of the obligations the parties owe to each other, compliance with applicable laws and/or regulations, performance or services provided under any agreement by any party, (ii) based on or arising from an alleged tort, or (iii) involving any parties employees, agents, Affiliates, or assigns. However, Disputes do not include the validity, enforceability, meaning, or scope of this arbitration provision and such matters may be determined only by a court. If a third party is a party to a Dispute, each party will consent to including the third party in the arbitration proceeding for resolving the Dispute with the third party. Venue for the arbitration proceeding shall be at a location determined by mutual agreement of the parties or, if no agreement, in Houston, Texas.
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(iii) After entry of an arbitration order, the non-moving party shall commence arbitration. The moving party shall, at its discretion, also be entitled to commence arbitration but is under no obligation to do so, and the moving party shall not in any way be adversely prejudiced by electing not to commence arbitration. The arbitrator: (i) will hear and rule on appropriate dispositive motions for judgment on the pleadings, for failure to state a claim, or for full or partial summary judgment; (ii) will render a decision and any award applying applicable law; (iii) will give effect to any limitations period in determining any Dispute or defense; (iv) shall enforce the doctrines of compulsory counterclaim, res judicata, and collateral estoppel, if applicable; (v) with regard to motions and the arbitration hearing, shall apply rules of evidence governing civil cases; and (vi) will apply the law of the State of Texas. Filing of a petition for arbitration shall not prevent any party from (x) seeking and obtaining from a court of competent jurisdiction (notwithstanding ongoing arbitration) provisional or ancillary remedies including but not limited to injunctive relief, property preservation orders, foreclosure, eviction, attachment, replevin, garnishment, and/or the appointment of a receiver, (y) pursuing non-judicial foreclosure, or (z) availing itself of any self-help remedies such as setoff and repossession. The exercise of such rights shall not constitute a waiver of the right to submit any Dispute to arbitration.
(iv) Judgment upon an arbitration award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction except that, if the arbitration award exceeds U.S. $4,000,000, any party shall be entitled to a de novo appeal of the award before a panel of three arbitrators. To allow for such appeal, if the award (including Administrators, arbitrators, and attorneys fees and costs) exceeds U.S. $4,000,000, the arbitrator will issue a written, reasoned decision supporting the award, including a statement of authority and its application to the Dispute. A request for de novo appeal must be filed with the arbitrator within 30 days following the date of the arbitration award; if such a request is not made within that time period, the arbitration decision shall become final and binding. On appeal, the arbitrators shall review the award de novo, meaning that they shall reach their own findings of fact and conclusions of law rather than deferring in any manner to the original arbitrator. Appeal of an arbitration award shall be pursuant to the rules of the Administrator or, if the Administrator has no such rules, then the JAMS arbitration appellate rules shall apply.
(v) Arbitration under this provision concerns a transaction involving interstate commerce and shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. § 1 et seq. This arbitration provision shall survive any termination, amendment, or expiration of this Agreement. If the terms of this provision vary from the Administrators rules, this arbitration provision shall control.
(c) CLASS ACTION WAIVER . EACH PARTY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO LITIGATE IN COURT OR ARBITRATE ANY CLAIM OR DISPUTE AS A CLASS ACTION, EITHER AS A MEMBER OF A CLASS OR AS A REPRESENTATIVE, OR TO ACT AS A PRIVATE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
(d) Reliance. Each party (i) certifies that no one has represented to such party that the other parties would not seek to enforce jury and class action waivers in the event of suit, and (ii) acknowledges that it and the other parties have been induced to enter into this Agreement by, among other things, the mutual waivers, agreements, and certifications in this section.
Section 9.12 Severability . In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavour in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.
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Section 9.13 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one contract, and shall become effective as provided in Section 9.03. Delivery of an executed counterpart to this Agreement by facsimile transmission or an electronic transmission of a PDF copy thereof shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed original. Any such delivery shall be followed promptly by delivery of the manually signed original.
Section 9.14 Headings . Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.
Section 9.15 Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process . (a) Each of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Facility Lender, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of any Texas State court or federal court of the United States sitting in Houston, Texas, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such Texas State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court. The Borrower further irrevocably consents to the service of process in any action or proceeding in such courts by the mailing thereof by any parties thereto by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the Borrower at the address specified for the Loan Parties in Section 9.01. Each of the parties hereto 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 Agreement (other than Section 8.09) shall affect any right that any Lender or any Issuing Bank may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents against the Borrower or any Loan Party or their properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.
(b) Each of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Facility Lender, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents in any Texas State or federal court sitting in Houston, Texas. 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 action or proceeding in any such court.
Section 9.16 Confidentiality . Each of the Lenders, each Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent agrees that it shall maintain in confidence any information relating to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and their respective Affiliates furnished to it by or on behalf of the Borrower or the other Loan Parties or such Subsidiary or Affiliate (other than information that (x) has become generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by such party in breach of this Agreement, (y) has been independently developed by such Lender, such Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent without violating this Section 9.16 or (z) was available to such Lender, such Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent from a third party having, to such Persons actual knowledge, no obligations of confidentiality to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any such Affiliate) and shall not reveal the same other than to its directors, trustees, officers, employees, agents and advisors with a need to know or to any Person that approves or administers the Loans on behalf of such Lender or Issuing Bank (so long as each such Person shall have been instructed to keep the same confidential in accordance with this
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Section 9.16), except: (i) to the extent necessary to comply with law or any legal process or the regulatory or supervisory requirements of any Governmental Authority (including bank examiners), the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or of any securities exchange on which securities of the disclosing party or any Affiliate of the disclosing party are listed or traded, (ii) as part of reporting or review procedures to Governmental Authorities (including bank examiners) or the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, (iii) to its parent companies, Affiliates or auditors (so long as each such Person shall have been instructed to keep the same confidential in accordance with this Section 9.16), (iv) in connection with the exercise of any remedies under any Loan Document or in order to enforce its rights under any Loan Document in a legal proceeding, (v) to any prospective assignee of, or prospective Participant in, any of its rights under this Agreement (so long as such Person shall have been instructed to keep the same confidential in accordance with this Section 9.16 or on terms at least as restrictive as those set forth in this Section 9.16) and (vi) to any direct or indirect contractual counterparty in Swap Agreements or such contractual counterpartys professional advisor (so long as each such contractual counterparty agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Section 9.16 or on terms at least as restrictive as those set forth in Section 9.16 and each such professional advisor shall have been instructed to keep the same confidential in accordance with this Section 9.16). If a Lender, an Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent is requested or required to disclose any such information (other than to its bank examiners and similar regulators, or to internal or external auditors) pursuant to or as required by law or legal process or subpoena to the extent reasonably practicable, it shall give prompt notice thereof to the Borrower so that the Borrower may seek an appropriate protective order and such Lender, Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent will cooperate with the Borrower (or the applicable Subsidiary or Affiliate) in seeking such protective order.
Section 9.17 Communications . (a) Delivery . (i) Each Loan Party hereby agrees that it will use all reasonable efforts to provide to the Administrative Agent all information, documents and other materials that it is obligated to furnish to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Agreement and any other Loan Document, including, without limitation, all notices, requests, financial statements, financial and other reports, certificates and other information materials, but excluding any such communication that (A) relates to a request for a new, or a conversion of an existing, borrowing or other extension of credit (including any election of an interest rate or interest period relating thereto), (B) relates to the payment of any principal or other amount due under this Agreement prior to 4:00 p.m. (Houston, Texas time) on the scheduled date therefor, (C) provides notice of any Default or Event of Default under this Agreement or (D) is required to be delivered to satisfy any condition precedent to the effectiveness of this Agreement and/or any borrowing or other extension of credit hereunder (all such non-excluded communications collectively, the Communications ), by transmitting the Communications in an electronic/soft medium in a format reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent at the address referenced in Section 9.01(a)(ii). Nothing in this Section 9.17 shall prejudice the right of the Administrative Agent or any Lender or Issuing Bank or any Loan Party to give any notice or other communication pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document in any other manner specified in this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
(ii) Each Lender agrees that notice to it (as provided in the next sentence) specifying that the Communications have been posted to the Platform (as defined below) shall constitute effective delivery of the Communications to such Lender for purposes of the Loan Documents. Each Lender agrees (A) to notify the Administrative Agent in writing (including by electronic communication) from time to time of such Lenders e-mail address to which the foregoing notice may be sent by electronic transmission and (B) that the foregoing notice may be sent to such e-mail address.
(b) Posting . Each Loan Party further agrees that the Administrative Agent may make the Communications available to the Lenders by posting the Communications on Intralinks or a
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substantially similar electronic transmission system (the Platform ). The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (i) the Administrative Agent will make available to the Lenders materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, Borrower Materials ) by posting the Borrower Materials on the Platform and (ii) certain of the Lenders (each, a Public Lender ) may have personnel who do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Loan Parties or their Affiliates, or the respective securities of any of the foregoing, and who may be engaged in investment and other market-related activities with respect to such Persons securities. The Borrower hereby agrees that it will use commercially reasonable efforts to identify that portion of the Borrower Materials that may be distributed to the Public Lenders and that (w) all such Borrower Materials 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 Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information (although it may be sensitive and proprietary) with respect to the Loan Parties or their Affiliates or their respective 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 Side Information; and (z) the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked PUBLIC as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated Public Side Information. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower shall not be under any obligation to mark any Borrower Materials PUBLIC to the extent the Borrower determines that such Borrower Materials contain material non-public information with respect to the Loan Parties or their Affiliates or their respective securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws.
(c) Platform. The Platform is provided as is and as available. The Agent Parties (as defined below) do not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the Communications, or the adequacy of the Platform and expressly disclaim liability for errors or omissions in the Communications. No warranty of any kind, express, implied or statutory, including, without limitation, any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of third party rights or freedom from viruses or other code defects, is made by the Administrative Agent Party in connection with the Communications or the Platform. In no event shall the Administrative Agent, any of its Affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents advisors or representatives (collectively, Agent Parties ) have any liability to the Loan Parties, any Lender or Issuing Bank or any other Person or entity for damages of any kind, including, without limitation, direct or indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of any Loan Partys or the Administrative Agents transmission of communications through the internet, except to the extent the liability of the Administrative Agent Party is found in a final non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted primarily from the Administrative Agent Partys gross negligence or willful misconduct.
Section 9.18 Release of Guarantees . In the event that any Loan Party conveys, sells, leases, assigns, transfers or otherwise disposes of all or any portion of its assets (including the Equity Interests of any of its Subsidiaries) to a Person that is not (and is not required to become) a Loan Party in a transaction not prohibited by the Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall promptly (and the Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to) take such action and execute any such documents as may be reasonably requested by the Borrower and at the Borrowers expense to release any guarantees of the Obligations, by a Person that ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Borrower as a result of a transaction described above. The Guaranty Agreement and the guarantees made therein shall terminate, and each Loan Party shall automatically be released from its obligations thereunder, when all the Obligations are paid in full in cash and all Commitments are terminated (other than (A) contingent indemnification obligations and (B) obligations and liabilities under Revolving Letters of Credit as to which arrangements satisfactory to the Issuing Banks shall have been made). At such time, the Administrative Agent agrees to take such actions as are reasonably requested by the Borrower at the Borrowers expense to evidence and effectuate such termination and release of the guarantee created by the Guarantee Agreement.
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Section 9.19 U.S.A. PATRIOT Act and Similar Legislation . Each Lender and Issuing Bank hereby notifies each Loan Party that pursuant to the requirements of the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act and similar legislation, as applicable, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Loan Parties, which information includes the name and address of each Loan Party and other information that will allow the Lenders to identify such Loan Party in accordance with such legislation. Each Loan Party agrees to furnish such information promptly upon request of a Lender. Each Lender shall be responsible for satisfying its own requirements in respect of obtaining all such information.
Section 9.20 Judgment . If for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder in one currency into another currency, the parties hereto agree, to the fullest extent that they may effectively do so, that the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Administrative Agent could purchase the first mentioned currency with such other currency at the Administrative Agents principal office in Houston, Texas on the Business Day preceding that on which final judgment is given.
Section 9.21 Reserved .
Section 9.22 No Fiduciary Duty . The Administrative Agent, each Lender, each Issuing Bank and their respective Affiliates (collectively, solely for purposes of this paragraph, the Lenders ), may have economic interests that conflict with those of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties. The Borrower hereby agrees that subject to applicable law, nothing in the Loan Documents or otherwise will be deemed to create an advisory, fiduciary or agency relationship or fiduciary or other implied duty between the Lenders and the Loan Parties, their equityholders or their Affiliates. The Borrower hereby acknowledges and agrees that (i) the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents are arms-length commercial transactions between the Lenders, on the one hand, and the Loan Parties, on the other, (ii) in connection therewith and with the process leading to such transaction none of the Lenders is acting as the agent or fiduciary of any Loan Party, its management, equityholders, creditors or any other person, (iii) no Lender has assumed an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of any Loan Party with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether any Lender or any of its Affiliates has advised or is currently advising such Loan Party on other matters) or any other obligation to any Loan Party except the obligations expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, (iv) the Borrower and each other Loan Party has consulted its own legal and financial advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate and (v) the Lenders may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower and its Affiliates and no Lender has an obligation to disclose any such interests to the Borrower or its Affiliates. The Borrower further acknowledges and agrees that it is responsible for making its own independent judgment with respect to such transactions and the process leading thereto.
Section 9.23 Application of Funds . After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 7.01 (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable), any amounts received by the Administrative Agent on account of the Obligations shall be applied by the Administrative Agent in the following order:
(a) First , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent) payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such;
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(b) Second , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal, interest and Revolving L/C Participation Fees) payable to the Lenders or an Affiliate of a Lender and the Issuing Banks (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the respective Lenders and the Issuing Banks) arising under the Loan Documents or under any Swap Agreement, ratably among them in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Second payable to them;
(c) Third , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid Revolving L/C Participation Fees and interest on the Loans, interest on Revolving L/C Disbursements and interest on other Obligations arising under the Loan Documents, ratably among the Lenders and the Issuing Banks in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third payable to them;
(d) Fourth , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans and Revolving L/C Reimbursement Obligations and Obligations referred to in clause (i) of the definition of Obligations owing to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender under any Swap Agreement, ratably among the Lenders (or their Affiliates) and the Issuing Banks in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth held by them;
(e) Fifth , to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Banks, to cash collateralize that portion of Revolving L/C Exposure comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of Revolving Letters of Credit; and
(f) Last , the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by law.
Subject to Section 2.05(j) , amounts used to cash collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of Revolving Letters of Credit pursuant to clause Fifth above shall be applied to satisfy drawings under such Revolving Letters of Credit as they occur. If any amount remains on deposit as cash collateral after all Revolving 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.
Section 9.24 Imaging of Documents . Each Loan Party and each Lender understands and agrees that (a) Administrative Agents document retention policy involves the imaging of executed Loan Documents and the destruction of the paper originals, and (b) each Loan Party and each Lender waives any right that it may have to claim that the imaged copies of the Loan Documents are not originals.
Section 9.25 Keepwell . (a) (a) Borrower represents that it is a Qualified ECP Credit Party. Borrower hereby guarantees the payment and performance of all Obligations of each Loan Party (other than the Borrower) and absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time by each Benefitting Loan Party in order for such Benefitting Loan Party to honor its obligations (without giving effect to Section 9.25(b)) under the Guaranty Agreement including obligations with respect to Swap Agreements (provided, however, that Borrower shall only be liable under this Section 9.25(a) for the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering its obligations under this Section 9.25(a), or otherwise under this Agreement or any Loan Document, as it relates to such Benefitting Loan Party, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). The obligations of the Borrower under this Section 9.25(a) shall remain in full force and effect until all Obligations are paid in full to the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and all Swap Providers, and all of the Lenders Commitments are terminated. The Borrower intends that this Section 9.25(a) constitute, and
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this Section 9.25(a) shall be deemed to constitute, a keepwell, support, or other agreement for the benefit of each Benefitting Loan Party for all purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, Obligations guaranteed by any Loan Party shall exclude all Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to such Loan Party.
[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., acting on behalf of and as sole general partner of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V., as Borrower | ||||
By: |
/s/ Donald Keith Mosing |
|||
Name: | Donald Keith Mosing | |||
Title: | Managing Director | |||
AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent, Swingline Facility Lender and Issuing Bank | ||||
By: |
/s/ Brad Ellis |
|||
Name: | Brad Ellis | |||
Title: | Senior Vice President | |||
CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Syndication Agent and a Lender |
||||
By: |
/s/ Jack G. Legenore |
|||
Name: | Jack G. Legenore | |||
Title: | Senior Vice President | |||
WHITNEY BANK, as a Lender |
||||
By: |
/s/ William Hendrix |
|||
Name: | William Hendrix | |||
Title: | Senior Vice President | |||
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as a Lender |
||||
By: |
/s/ Rebecca L. Hetzer |
|||
Name: | Rebecca L. Hetzer | |||
Title: | Vice President |
Franks International Multi-Year
Credit Agreement
Signature Page 1
CITIBANK, N. A., | ||||
as a Lender | ||||
By: |
/s/ John Miller |
|||
Name: | John Miller | |||
Title: | Vice-President | |||
REGIONS BANK, as a Lender |
||||
By: |
/s/ Katie Sandoral |
|||
Name: | Katie Sandoral | |||
Title: | Vice President Commercial Lender | |||
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as a Lender |
||||
By: |
/s/ Donald Hunt |
|||
Name: | Donald Hunt | |||
Title: | Officer | |||
BOKF, NA, dba Bank of Texas as a Lender |
||||
By: |
/s/ H. Michael Sultanik |
|||
Name: | H. Michael Sultanik | |||
Title: | Senior Vice President | |||
CADENCE BANK, N.A. as a Lender |
||||
By: |
/s/ C. Ross Bartley |
|||
Name: | C. Ross Bartley | |||
Title: | Executive Vice President |
Franks International Multi-Year
Credit Agreement
Signature Page 2
COMERICA BANK, | ||||
as a Lender | ||||
By: |
/s/ Chad Stephenson |
|||
Name: | Chad Stephenson | |||
Title: | Assistant Vice President |
Franks International Multi-Year
Credit Agreement
Signature Page 3
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE
This Assignment and Acceptance (the Assignment and Acceptance ) is dated as of the date set forth below (the Effective Date ) and is entered into by and between [Insert name of Assignor] (the Assignor ) and [Insert names of Assignee(s)] (the Assignee[s] ). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement identified below (as may be amended from time to time, the Credit Agreement ), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by [the] [each] Assignee. The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto (the Standard Terms and Conditions ) are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Acceptance as if set forth herein in full.
For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to [the] [each] Assignee, and [the] [each] Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from the Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below (i) all of the Assignors rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of the Assignor under the facility identified below (including any Revolving Letters of Credit included in such facility) and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender) against any person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as the Assigned Interest ). Such sale and assignment is without recourse to the Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Acceptance, without representation or warranty by the Assignor.
1. | Assignor: |
2. | Assignee[s]: [and is an Affiliate/Approved Fund of [Identify Lender] or an Eligible Assignee] |
3. | Administrative Agent: Amegy Bank National Association. |
4. |
Credit Agreement: Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of August 14, 2013 among FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., a private limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands ( FIMBV ), acting as sole general partner and on behalf of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V., a limited partnership ( commanditaire vennootschap ) formed and entered into under the laws of The Netherlands ( Franks International C.V. and, FIMBV acting as |
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sole general partner and on behalf of Franks International C.V., the Borrower ), the LENDERS party thereto from time to time, and AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as administrative agent. |
5. | Assigned Interest 1 : |
Facility Assigned |
Aggregate Amount
of Commitment/ Loans for all Lenders |
Amount of
Commitment/Loans Assigned |
Percentage
Assigned of Commitment/ Loans 2 |
|||||
% |
Effective Date: , 20
[TO BE INSERTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR.]
1 | Add additional table for each Assignee. |
2 | Calculate to 9 decimal places and show as a percentage of aggregate Loans of all Lenders in respect of the Facility. |
A-2
The terms set forth in this Assignment and Acceptance are hereby agreed to:
ASSIGNOR [NAME OF ASSIGNOR] | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
ASSIGNEE [NAME OF ASSIGNEE] 3 | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: |
Consented to and accepted: | ||
Amegy Bank National Association, as Administrative Agent | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
Consented to: |
Amegy Bank National Association, as Issuing Bank
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
Consented to: |
Amegy Bank National Association, as Swingline Facility Lender
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
Consented to: |
[FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V.,
acting on behalf of and as sole general partner of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V.] 4
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: |
3 | Add additional signature blocks if there is more than one Assignee. |
4 | Consents to be included to the extent required by Section 9.04(b) of the Credit Agreement. |
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ANNEX 1
STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR
ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE
1. Representations and Warranties.
1.1 Assignor . The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest, (ii) the Assigned Interest is free and clear of any Lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim and (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Acceptance and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents, (iii) the financial condition of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.
1.2 Assignee . [The] [Each] Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Acceptance and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it is an Eligible Assignee and otherwise satisfies the requirements, if any, specified in the Credit Agreement that are required to be satisfied by it in order to acquire the Assigned Interest and become a Lender, (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of the Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to acquire assets of the type represented by the Assigned Interest and either it, or the person exercising discretion in making its decision to acquire the Assigned Interest, is experienced in acquiring assets of such type, (v) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.04 thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Acceptance and to purchase the Assigned Interest (which statements, documents and information taken together form the basis upon which [the][each] assignee has made such analysis and investment decision, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent or any other Lender), and (vi) attached to this Assignment and Acceptance is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by [the] [each] Assignee and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, the Assignor 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 the Loan Documents and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.
2. Payments . From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to the Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to [the] [each] Assignee for amounts which have accrued from, after and including the Effective Date.
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3. General Provisions . This Assignment and Acceptance shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment and Acceptance may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Acceptance by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Acceptance; provided , however, that it shall be promptly followed by an original. This Assignment and Acceptance shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of Texas.
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EXHIBIT B
FORM OF PREPAYMENT NOTICE
Amegy Bank National Association as Administrative Agent
for the Lenders referred to below
4400 Post Oak Parkway
Houston, TX 77027
Attention: Brad Ellis
[Date]
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to the Revolving Credit Agreement (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the Revolving Credit Agreement ) dated as of August 14, 2013 among FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., a private limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands ( FIMBV ), acting as sole general partner and on behalf of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V., a limited partnership ( commanditaire vennootschap ) formed and entered into under the laws of The Netherlands ( Franks International C.V. and, FIMBV acting as sole general partner and on behalf of Franks International C.V., the Borrower ), the LENDERS party thereto from time to time, and AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as administrative agent, issuing bank and swingline facility lender. Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Revolving Credit Agreement.
The undersigned, FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V., refers to the Revolving Credit Agreement, and hereby gives you notice that, pursuant to Section 2.11 of the Revolving Credit Agreement, the undersigned intends to make a prepayment on 5 of a [Swingline Facility Borrowing in ABR Loans] [Revolving Facility Borrowing in [ABR Loans or Eurodollar Loans]], in the amount of $ 6 .
Very truly yours, | ||
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., acting on behalf of and as sole general partner of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V. | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: |
5 | Insert date of prepayment. Note, with respect to prepayments of Eurodollar Loans, this date must be at least three days following the delivery of this notice to the Administrative Agent. |
6 | Please provide reasonably detailed calculation of the amount of prepayment. |
B-1
EXHIBIT C-1
FORM OF BORROWING REQUEST
Amegy Bank National Association
as Administrative Agent [and Issuing Bank] 1
for the Lenders referred to below
4400 Post Oak Parkway
Houston, TX 77027
Attention: Brad Ellis
[Date]
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to the Revolving Credit Agreement (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the Revolving Credit Agreement ) dated as of August 14, 2013 among FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., a private limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands ( FIMBV ), acting as sole general partner and on behalf of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V., a limited partnership ( commanditaire vennootschap ) formed and entered into under the laws of The Netherlands ( Franks International C.V. and, FIMBV acting as sole general partner and on behalf of Franks International C.V., the Borrower ), the LENDERS party thereto from time to time, and AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as administrative agent, issuing bank and swingline facility lender. Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Revolving Credit Agreement.
This notice constitutes a Borrowing Request of the Borrower and the Borrower hereby requests Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement, and in that connection the Borrower specifies the following information with respect to such Borrowings requested hereby:
For a Revolving Facility Borrowing or issuance of Revolving Letter of Credit,
(A) | Borrower [and Name of Account Party] 2 : |
(B) | Aggregate or face amount of Borrowing: US$ |
(C) | Date of Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day): |
(D) | Type of Borrowing (ABR, Eurodollar, or Revolving Letter of Credit): |
(E) | Interest Period (if a Eurodollar Borrowing): 3 |
1 | Include if requesting a letter of credit to be issued. |
2 | If Borrower requests that a letter of credit be issued on behalf of another Loan Party. |
3 | Which must comply with the definition of Interest Period and end not later than the Revolving Facility Maturity Date. Interest Period means the period commencing on the date of the Borrowing, and ending on the numerically corresponding day (or, if there is no numerically corresponding day, on the last day) in the calendar month that is 1, 2, 3 or 6 months thereafter, and if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, |
C-1
(F) | [Location and number of the Borrowers account or any other account agreed upon by the Administrative Agent] [Beneficiary (if a Revolving Letter of Credit) 4 ]: |
(G) | Expiry date (if a Revolving Letter of Credit) 5 : |
(H) | In connection with a Borrowing Request for the issuance of a Revolving Letter of Credit, Borrower has signed and completed the accompanying Application and Agreement for Irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit as promulgated by the Issuing Bank. |
We hereby certify that, on and as of the date hereof, no Default or Event of Default has occurred or is continuing and the representations and warranties set forth in Article III of the Revolving Credit Agreement are true and correct in all material respects, with the same effect as though made on the date hereof, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date).
Very truly yours, | ||
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., acting on behalf of and as sole general partner of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V. | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: |
4 | Please specify name and address. |
5 | This date must be (A) unless the applicable Issuing Bank agrees to a later expiration date, the date one year after the date of issuance (or in the case of any renewal or extension thereof, one year after such renewal or extension) or (B) the date that is five Business Days prior to the Revolving Facility Maturity Date. |
C-2
EXHIBIT C-2
FORM OF SWINGLINE FACILITY BORROWING REQUEST
Amegy Bank National Association
as Administrative Agent
for the Lenders referred to below
4400 Post Oak Parkway
Houston, TX 77027
Attention: Brad Ellis
[Date]
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to the Revolving Credit Agreement (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the Revolving Credit Agreement ) dated as of August 14, 2013 among FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., a private limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands ( FIMBV ), acting as sole general partner and on behalf of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V., a limited partnership ( commanditaire vennootschap ) formed and entered into under the laws of The Netherlands ( Franks International C.V. and, FIMBV acting as sole general partner and on behalf of Franks International C.V., the Borrower ), the LENDERS party thereto from time to time, and AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as administrative agent, issuing bank and swingline facility lender. Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Revolving Credit Agreement.
This notice constitutes a Swingline Facility Borrowing Request of the Borrower and the Borrower hereby requests Swingline Facility Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement, and in that connection the Borrower specifies the following information with respect to such Swingline Facility Borrowings requested hereby:
(A) | Swingline Facility Commitment: US$ 10,000,000.00 |
(B) | Outstanding Swingline Facility Borrowings: $ |
(C) | Swingline Facility Availability (Line (A) minus Line (B)): $ |
(B) | Amount of Requested Swingline Facility Borrowing: US$ (may not exceed amount in Line (C)). |
(C) | Date of Swingline Facility Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day): |
(D) | Location and number of the Borrowers account or any other account agreed upon by the Administrative Agent: |
We hereby certify that, on and as of the date hereof, no Default or Event of Default has occurred or is continuing and the representations and warranties set forth in Article III of the Revolving Credit Agreement are true and correct in all material respects, with the same effect as though made on the date hereof, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date).
C-1
Very truly yours, | ||
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., acting on behalf of and as sole general partner of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V. | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: |
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EXHIBIT D
FORM OF INTEREST ELECTION REQUEST
Amegy Bank National Association
as Administrative Agent
for the Lenders referred to below
4400 Post Oak Parkway
Houston, TX 77027
Attention: Brad Ellis
[Date]
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to the Revolving Credit Agreement (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the Revolving Credit Agreement ) dated as of August 14, 2013 among FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., a private limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands ( FIMBV ), acting as sole general partner and on behalf of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V., a limited partnership ( commanditaire vennootschap ) formed and entered into under the laws of The Netherlands ( Franks International C.V. and, FIMBV acting as sole general partner and on behalf of Franks International C.V., the Borrower ), the LENDERS party thereto from time to time, and AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as administrative agent, issuing bank and swingline facility lender. Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Revolving Credit Agreement.
This notice constitutes an Interest Election Request by the Borrower and the Borrower hereby requests a [conversion] [continuation] of [IDENTIFY BORROWING] pursuant to Section 2.07 of the Revolving Credit Agreement, and in that connection the Borrower specifies the following information with respect to such conversion or continuation:
For a Revolving Facility Borrowing,
(A) | Amount of initial Borrowing being converted 1 : US$ |
(B) | Effective Date (which shall be a Business Day): |
(C) | Resulting Type of Borrowing (ABR or Eurodollar) 2 : |
(D) | Interest Period (if a Eurodollar Borrowing): 3 |
1 | For conversions only. Please complete a separate form for each portion of the Borrowing being converted. |
2 | For conversions only. |
3 | For conversions and continuations of Eurodollar Borrowings. If the Borrower requests a Eurodollar Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Interest Period shall be deemed to be of one months duration. |
D-1
Very truly yours,
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., acting on behalf of and as sole general partner of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V. |
||
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: |
D-2
EXHIBIT E
FORM OF GUARANTY AGREEMENT
dated and effective as of
August 14, 2013,
among
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V.
acting as sole general partner and on behalf of
the limited partnership ( commaditaire vennootschap)
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V.,
as Borrower
SUBSIDIARIES OF FRANKS INTERNATIONAL N.V,
as Guarantors,
and
AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Administrative Agent
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||
ARTICLE 1 Definitions |
1 | |||||
Section 1.01 |
Credit Agreement |
1 | ||||
Section 1.02 |
Other Defined Terms |
1 | ||||
ARTICLE 2 Guarantee |
1 | |||||
Section 2.01 |
Guarantee |
1 | ||||
Section 2.02 |
Guarantee of Payment |
2 | ||||
Section 2.03 |
No Limitations, etc. |
2 | ||||
Section 2.04 |
Reinstatement |
3 | ||||
Section 2.05 |
Agreement to Pay; Subrogation |
3 | ||||
Section 2.06 |
Information |
4 | ||||
Section 2.07 |
Reliance; Demands |
4 | ||||
Section 2.08 |
Maximum Liability |
4 | ||||
Section 2.09 |
Payments Free and Clear of Taxes, etc. |
4 | ||||
ARTICLE 3 Reserved |
5 | |||||
ARTICLE 4 Reserved |
5 | |||||
ARTICLE 5 Reserved |
5 | |||||
ARTICLE 6 Indemnity, Subrogation and Subordination |
5 | |||||
Section 6.01 |
Indemnity and Subrogation |
5 | ||||
Section 6.02 |
Contribution and Subrogation |
5 | ||||
Section 6.03 |
Subordination |
5 | ||||
ARTICLE 7 Miscellaneous |
6 | |||||
Section 7.01 |
Notices |
6 | ||||
Section 7.02 |
Reserved |
6 | ||||
Section 7.03 |
Binding Effect; Several Agreement |
6 | ||||
Section 7.04 |
Successors and Assigns |
6 | ||||
Section 7.05 |
Administrative Agents Fees and Expenses; Indemnification |
6 | ||||
Section 7.06 |
Reserved |
7 | ||||
Section 7.07 |
Governing Law |
7 | ||||
Section 7.08 |
Waivers; Amendment |
7 | ||||
Section 7.09 |
Waiver of Jury Trial |
8 | ||||
Section 7.10 |
Severability |
10 | ||||
Section 7.11 |
Counterparts |
10 | ||||
Section 7.12 |
Headings |
10 | ||||
Section 7.13 |
Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process |
10 |
E-i
Section 7.14 |
Termination or Release |
10 | ||||
Section 7.15 |
Additional Guarantors |
11 | ||||
Section 7.16 |
Set Off |
11 | ||||
Section 7.17 |
Credit Agreement |
11 | ||||
Section 7.18 |
Authority of Administrative Agent |
11 |
Exhibits | ||||
Exhibit I | Form of Supplement to the Guaranty Agreement |
E-ii
GUARANTY AGREEMENT dated and effective as of August 14, 2013 (this Agreement ), among FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., a private limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands ( FIMBV ), acting as sole general partner and on behalf of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V., a limited partnership ( commanditaire vennootschap ) formed and entered into under the laws of The Netherlands ( Franks International C.V. and, FIMBV acting as sole general partner and on behalf of Franks International C.V., the Borrower ), and each Material Subsidiary of Borrower that is a signatory hereto and, at any time on or after the date hereof, any Material Subsidiary of the Borrower that shall become a Guarantor pursuant to Section 7.15 hereof (collectively, the Guarantors and each, a Guarantor ), and AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION ( Amegy ), as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the Administrative Agent ) for the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement).
Reference is made to the Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of August 14, 2013 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement ), among Borrower, the lenders party thereto from time to time and the Administrative Agent.
The Lenders have agreed to extend credit to the Borrower on and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement. The obligations of the Lenders to extend such credit are conditioned upon, among other things, the execution and delivery of this Agreement. Each Guarantor will derive substantial benefits from the extension of credit to the Borrower pursuant to the Credit Agreement and is willing to execute and deliver this Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to extend such credit. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
D EFINITIONS
Section 1.01 Credit Agreement . Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined herein have the respective meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement.
(a) The rules of construction specified in Section 1.02 of the Credit Agreement also apply to this Agreement.
Section 1.02 Other Defined Terms . As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:
Lenders means (a) the Lenders; (b) the Administrative Agent, (c) each Issuing Bank; (d) the beneficiaries of each indemnification or reimbursement obligation undertaken by any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (e) the successors and permitted assigns of each of the foregoing.
ARTICLE 2
G UARANTEE
Section 2.01 Guarantee . Each Guarantor absolutely, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees, jointly with the other Guarantors and severally, as a primary obligor and not merely as a surety, the due and punctual payment and performance of the Obligations. Each Guarantor further agrees that the Obligations may be extended, modified, substituted, amended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice to or further assent from it (except in cases where the Guarantor is a party to the agreement giving rise to the Obligation being extended, modified,
E-1
substituted, amended or renewed and such notice or assent is required by such agreement), and that it will remain bound upon its guarantee notwithstanding any extension, modification, substitution, amendment or renewal of any Obligation. Each Guarantor unconditionally and irrevocably waives notice of nonperformance, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration, presentment to, demand of payment from and protest to the Borrower or any other Loan Party of any of the Obligations, and also waives notice of acceptance of or reliance on its guarantee and notice of protest for nonpayment.
Section 2.02 Guarantee of Payment . Each Guarantor further agrees that its guarantee hereunder constitutes a guarantee of payment when due, whether at scheduled maturity or on any date of a required prepayment or by acceleration, demand or otherwise, and not of collection, and waives any right to require that any resort be had by the Administrative Agent or any other Lender to any security held for the payment of the Obligations or to any balance of any deposit account or credit on the books of the Administrative Agent or any other Lender in favor of the Borrower or any other Person.
Section 2.03 No Limitations, etc. (a) Except for termination of a Guarantors obligations hereunder as expressly provided for in Section 7.14, the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall not be subject to any defense or setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the Obligations or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by:
(i) the failure of the Administrative Agent or any other Lender to assert any claim or demand or to exercise or enforce any right or remedy under the provisions of any Loan Document or otherwise;
(ii) the creation of any Obligation and any rescission, waiver, amendment, restatement, supplement or modification of, or any release from any of the terms or provisions of, any Loan Document or any other agreement, including with respect to (x) any of the foregoing that extends the maturity of, or increases the amount of, any Obligations and (y) any other Guarantor under this Agreement;
(iii) any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of the Obligations;
(iv) any other act or omission that may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of any Guarantor or otherwise operate as a discharge of any Guarantor as a matter of law or equity (other than the indefeasible payment in full in cash of all the Obligations (other than (A) contingent indemnification obligations and (B) obligations and liabilities under Revolving Letters of Credit as to which arrangements satisfactory to the Issuing Banks shall have been made)));
(v) any illegality, lack of validity or enforceability of any Obligation;
(vi) any change in the corporate existence, structure or ownership of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, or any insolvency, bankruptcy,
E-2
reorganization or other similar proceeding affecting the Borrower or any other Loan Party or the Borrowers or any other Loan Partys assets or any resulting release or discharge of any Obligation;
(vii) the existence of any claim, set-off or other rights that the Guarantor may have at any time against the Borrower or any other Loan Party, the Administrative Agent, or any other Person, whether in connection herewith or any unrelated transactions, provided that nothing herein will prevent the assertion of any such claim by separate suit or compulsory counterclaim; or
(viii) any other circumstance or any other law, order, or regulation now or hereafter in effect in any jurisdiction (including without limitation, the expiration of any statute of limitations) or any existence of or reliance on any representation by the Administrative Agent or any other Person that might otherwise constitute a defense to, or a legal or equitable discharge of, the Borrower or any other Guarantor (including such Guarantor) or any other guarantor or surety.
Each Guarantor acknowledges that its guarantee is continuing in nature and applies to all Obligations, whether existing now or in the future. 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 this Article 2 are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.
(b) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor waives any defense based on or arising out of any defense of the Borrower or any other Loan Party or the unenforceability of the Obligations or any part thereof from any cause, or the cessation from any cause of the liability of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, other than the indefeasible payment in full in cash of all the Obligations (other than (A) contingent indemnification obligations and (B) obligations and liabilities under Revolving Letters of Credit as to which arrangements satisfactory to the Issuing Banks shall have been made). The Administrative Agent and the other Lenders may, at their election, foreclose on any security held by one or more of them by one or more judicial or nonjudicial sales, accept an assignment of any such security in lieu of foreclosure, compromise or adjust any part of the Obligations, make any other accommodation with the Borrower or any other Loan Party or exercise any other right or remedy available to them against the Borrower or any other Loan Party, without affecting or impairing in any way the liability of any Guarantor hereunder except to the extent the Obligations have been fully and indefeasibly paid in full in cash. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor waives any defense arising out of any such election even though such election operates, pursuant to applicable law, to impair or to extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right or remedy of such Guarantor against the Borrower or any other Loan Party, as the case may be, or any security.
Section 2.04 Reinstatement . Each Guarantor agrees that its guarantee hereunder shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of any Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by the Administrative Agent or any Lender upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Borrower, any other Loan Party or otherwise.
Section 2.05 Agreement to Pay; Subrogation . In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right that the Administrative Agent or any Lender has at law or in
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equity against any Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Borrower or any other Loan Party to pay any Obligation when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, after notice of prepayment or otherwise, each Guarantor hereby promises to and will forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, to the Administrative Agent for distribution to the applicable Lenders in cash the amount of such unpaid Obligation. Upon payment by any Guarantor of any sums to the Administrative Agent as provided above, all rights of such Guarantor against the Borrower or any other Loan Party or any other Guarantor arising as a result thereof by way of right of subrogation, contribution, reimbursement, indemnity or otherwise shall in all respects be subject to Article 6.
Section 2.06 Information . Each Guarantor assumes all responsibility for being and keeping itself informed of the financial condition and assets of the Borrower and each other Loan Party, and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Obligations and the nature, scope and extent of the risks that such Guarantor assumes and incurs hereunder, and agrees that none of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders will have any duty to advise such Guarantor of information known to it or any of them regarding such circumstances or risks.
Section 2.07 Reliance; Demands . The Obligations, and each of them, shall conclusively be deemed to have been created, contracted or incurred, or renewed, extended, amended or waived, in reliance upon the guarantee contained in this Article 2. All dealings between the Borrower and any of the other Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, on the other hand, likewise shall be conclusively presumed to have been had or consummated in reliance upon the guarantee contained in this Article 2. When making any demand hereunder or otherwise pursuing its rights and remedies hereunder against any Guarantor, the Administrative Agent and any other Lender may, but shall be under no obligation to, make a similar demand on or otherwise pursue such rights and remedies as it may have against the Borrower or any other Guarantor or any other Person or against any guarantee for the Obligations or any right of offset with respect thereto, and any failure by the Administrative Agent or any other Lender to make any such demand, to pursue such other rights or remedies or to collect any payments from the Borrower or any other Guarantor or any other Person or to realize upon any such guarantee or to exercise any such right of offset, or any release of the Borrower or any other Guarantor or any other Person or any such guarantee or right of offset, shall not relieve any Guarantor of any obligation or liability hereunder, and shall not impair or affect the rights and remedies, whether express, implied or available as a matter of law, of the Administrative Agent or any other Lender against any Guarantor. For the purposes hereof demand shall include the commencement and continuance of any legal proceedings.
Section 2.08 Maximum Liability . Anything herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum liability of each Guarantor in its capacity as such hereunder and under the other Loan Documents shall in no event exceed the amount which can be guaranteed by such Guarantor under applicable federal and state laws relating to the insolvency of debtors (after giving effect to the right of contribution established in Section 6.02).
Section 2.09 Payments Free and Clear of Taxes, etc. Any and all payments made by any Guarantor under or in respect of this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be made in accordance with Section 2.17 of the Credit Agreement.
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ARTICLE 3
R ESERVED
ARTICLE 4
R ESERVED
ARTICLE 5
R ESERVED
ARTICLE 6
I NDEMNITY , S UBROGATION AND S UBORDINATION
Section 6.01 Indemnity and Subrogation . In addition to all such rights of indemnity and subrogation as the Guarantors may have under applicable law (but subject to Section 6.03), (a) the Borrower agrees that in the event a payment shall be made by any Guarantor under this Agreement in respect of any Obligation of the Borrower, the Borrower shall indemnify such Guarantor for the full amount of such payment and such Guarantor shall be subrogated to the rights of the Person to whom such payment shall have been made to the extent of such payment and (b) each Guarantor (each such Guarantor, together with the Borrower in the context of clause (a) above, an Indemnifying Loan Party ) agrees that in the event a payment shall be made by any other Guarantor under this Agreement in respect of any Obligation of such Guarantor, such Guarantor shall indemnify such other Guarantor for the full amount of such payment and such other Guarantor shall be subrogated to the rights of the Person to whom such payment shall have been made to the extent of such payment.
Section 6.02 Contribution and Subrogation . Each Guarantor (a Contributing Guarantor ) agrees (subject to Section 6.03) that, in the event a payment shall be made by any other Guarantor hereunder in respect of any Obligation (the Claiming Guarantor ) shall not have been fully indemnified by the Indemnifying Loan Party as provided in Section 6.01, the Contributing Guarantor shall indemnify the Claiming Guarantor in an amount equal to the amount of such payment, in each case multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the net worth of such Contributing Guarantor on the date of such payment and the denominator shall be the aggregate net worth of all the Guarantors on the date of such payment. Any Contributing Guarantor making any payment to a Claiming Guarantor pursuant to this Section 6.02 shall be subrogated to the rights of such Claiming Guarantor under Section 6.01 to the extent of such payment.
Section 6.03 Subordination . (a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, all rights of the Guarantors under Sections 6.01 and 6.02 and all other rights of indemnity, contribution or subrogation of the Grantors under applicable law or otherwise shall be fully subordinated to the indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Obligations (other than (A) contingent indemnification obligations and (B) obligations and liabilities under Revolving Letters of Credit as to which arrangements satisfactory to the Issuing Banks shall have been made). No failure on the part of the Borrower or any other Guarantor to make the payments required by Sections 6.01 and 6.02 (or any other payments required under applicable law or otherwise) shall in any respect limit the obligations and liabilities of any Guarantor with respect to its obligations hereunder, and each Guarantor shall remain liable for the full amount of the obligations of such Guarantor hereunder.
(b) Each Guarantor hereby agrees that all Indebtedness and other monetary obligations owed by it to any other Guarantor or any Subsidiary of the Borrower shall be fully
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subordinated to the indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Obligations (other than (A) contingent indemnification obligations and (B) obligations and liabilities under Revolving Letters of Credit as to which arrangements satisfactory to the Issuing Banks shall have been made).
ARTICLE 7
M ISCELLANEOUS
Section 7.01 Notices . All communications and notices hereunder shall (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein) be in writing and given as provided in Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement. All communications and notices hereunder to any Guarantor shall be given to it in care of the Borrower, with such notice to be given as provided in Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement.
Section 7.02 Reserved .
Section 7.03 Binding Effect; Several Agreement . This Agreement shall become effective as to any party to this Agreement when a counterpart hereof executed on behalf of such party shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent and a counterpart hereof shall have been executed on behalf of the Administrative Agent, and thereafter shall be binding upon such party and the Administrative Agent and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of such party, the Administrative Agent and the other Lenders and their respective permitted successors and assigns, except that no party hereto shall have the right to assign or transfer its rights or obligations hereunder (and any such assignment or transfer shall be void) except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement or the Credit Agreement. This Agreement shall be construed as a separate agreement with respect to each Loan Party party hereto and may be amended, modified, supplemented, waived or released with respect to any party without the approval of any other Loan Party party hereto and without affecting the obligations of any other party hereunder.
Section 7.04 Successors and Assigns . Whenever in this Agreement any of the parties hereto is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to include the permitted successors and assigns of such party; and all covenants, promises and agreements by or on behalf of any Guarantor or the Administrative Agent that are contained in this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective permitted successors and assigns.
Section 7.05 Administrative Agents Fees and Expenses; Indemnification .
(a) The parties hereto agree that the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to reimbursement of its expenses incurred hereunder as provided in Section 9.05 of the Credit Agreement.
(b) The parties hereto agree that the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to indemnification as provided in Section 9.05 of the Credit Agreement.
(c) By its acceptance of the benefits hereof, each Lender agrees (i) to reimburse the Administrative Agent, on demand, in the amount of its pro rata share (based on its Commitments, or if such Commitments shall have expired or terminated, in accordance with the respective principal amounts of its applicable outstanding Loans or portion of outstanding Revolving L/C Disbursements owed to it, as applicable), of any reasonable expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, including reasonable counsel fees and compensation of agents and
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employees paid for services rendered on behalf of the Administrative Agent which shall not have been reimbursed by the Borrower and (ii) to indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent and any of its directors, officers, employees or agents, on demand, in the amount of such pro rata share, from and against any and all liabilities, Taxes, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against it in its capacity as Administrative Agent or any of them in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any action taken or omitted by it or any of them under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, to the extent the same shall not have been reimbursed by the Borrower, provided that no Lender shall be liable to the Administrative Agent for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements to the extent found in a final non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted primarily from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Administrative Agent or any of its directors, officers, employees or agents.
(d) Any such amounts payable by any Guarantor as provided hereunder shall be additional Obligations guaranteed hereby. The provisions of this Section 7.05 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the termination of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of any of the Obligations, the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Administrative Agent or any other Lender. All amounts due under this Section 7.05 shall be payable on written demand therefor.
Section 7.06 Reserved .
Section 7.07 Governing Law . THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND ALL CLAIMS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF, WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT LAW OR TORT LAW, SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.
Section 7.08 Waivers; Amendment . (a) No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent or any other Lender in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right, power or remedy, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. The rights, powers and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the other Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights, powers or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any Loan Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section 7.08, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or the issuance of a Revolving Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default or Event of Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent or any other Lender may have had notice or knowledge of such Default or Event of Default at the time. No notice or demand on any Loan Party in any case shall entitle any Loan Party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.
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(b) Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Administrative Agent and the Loan Party or Loan Parties with respect to which such waiver, amendment or modification is to apply, subject to any consent required in accordance with Section 9.08 of the Credit Agreement.
Section 7.09 Waiver of Jury Trial . (a) EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS. EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 7.09.
(b) Arbitration .
(i) If a claim, dispute, or controversy arises between the parties hereto with respect to this Agreement, related agreements, or any other agreement or business relationship between any of the parties hereto whether or not related to the subject matter of this Agreement (all of the foregoing, a Dispute ), and only if a jury trial waiver is not permitted by applicable law or ruling by a court, any of the parties hereto may require that the Dispute be resolved by binding arbitration before a single arbitrator at the request of any party. By agreeing to arbitrate a Dispute, each party gives up any right that party may have to a jury trial, as well as other rights that party would have in court that are not available or are more limited in arbitration, such as the rights to discovery and to appeal.
(ii) Arbitration shall be commenced by filing a petition with, and in accordance with the applicable arbitration rules of, the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services ( JAMS ) or National Arbitration Forum ( Administrator ) as selected by the initiating party. If the parties agree, arbitration may be commenced by appointment of a licensed attorney who is selected by the parties and who agrees to conduct the arbitration without an Administrator. Disputes include matters (i) relating to a deposit account, application for or denial of credit, enforcement of any of the obligations the parties owe to each other, compliance with applicable laws and/or regulations, performance or services provided under any agreement by any party, (ii) based on or arising from an alleged tort, or (iii) involving any parties employees, agents, Affiliates, or assigns. However, Disputes do not include the validity, enforceability, meaning, or scope of this arbitration provision and such matters may be determined only by a court. If a third party is a party to a Dispute, each party will consent to including the third party in the arbitration proceeding for resolving the Dispute with the third party. Venue for the arbitration proceeding shall be at a location determined by mutual agreement of the parties or, if no agreement, in Houston, Texas.
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(iii) After entry of an arbitration order, the non-moving party shall commence arbitration. The moving party shall, at its discretion, also be entitled to commence arbitration but is under no obligation to do so, and the moving party shall not in any way be adversely prejudiced by electing not to commence arbitration. The arbitrator: (i) will hear and rule on appropriate dispositive motions for judgment on the pleadings, for failure to state a claim, or for full or partial summary judgment; (ii) will render a decision and any award applying applicable law; (iii) will give effect to any limitations period in determining any Dispute or defense; (iv) shall enforce the doctrines of compulsory counterclaim, res judicata, and collateral estoppel, if applicable; (v) with regard to motions and the arbitration hearing, shall apply rules of evidence governing civil cases; and (vi) will apply the law of the State of Texas. Filing of a petition for arbitration shall not prevent any party from (x) seeking and obtaining from a court of competent jurisdiction (notwithstanding ongoing arbitration) provisional or ancillary remedies including but not limited to injunctive relief, property preservation orders, foreclosure, eviction, attachment, replevin, garnishment, and/or the appointment of a receiver, (y) pursuing non-judicial foreclosure, or (z) availing itself of any self-help remedies such as setoff and repossession. The exercise of such rights shall not constitute a waiver of the right to submit any Dispute to arbitration.
(iv) Judgment upon an arbitration award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction except that, if the arbitration award exceeds $4,000,000, any party shall be entitled to a de novo appeal of the award before a panel of three arbitrators. To allow for such appeal, if the award (including Administrators, arbitrators, and attorneys fees and costs) exceeds $4,000,000, the arbitrator will issue a written, reasoned decision supporting the award, including a statement of authority and its application to the Dispute. A request for de novo appeal must be filed with the arbitrator within 30 days following the date of the arbitration award; if such a request is not made within that time period, the arbitration decision shall become final and binding. On appeal, the arbitrators shall review the award de novo, meaning that they shall reach their own findings of fact and conclusions of law rather than deferring in any manner to the original arbitrator. Appeal of an arbitration award shall be pursuant to the rules of the Administrator or, if the Administrator has no such rules, then the JAMS arbitration appellate rules shall apply.
(v) Arbitration under this provision concerns a transaction involving interstate commerce and shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. § 1 et seq . This arbitration provision shall survive any termination, amendment, or expiration of this Agreement. If the terms of this provision vary from the Administrators rules, this arbitration provision shall control.
(c) CLASS ACTION WAIVER . EACH PARTY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO LITIGATE IN COURT OR ARBITRATE ANY CLAIM OR DISPUTE AS A CLASS ACTION, EITHER AS A MEMBER OF A CLASS OR AS A REPRESENTATIVE, OR TO ACT AS A PRIVATE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
(d) Reliance . Each party (i) certifies that no one has represented to such party that the other parties would not seek to enforce jury and class action waivers in the event of suit,
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and (ii) acknowledges that it and the other parties have been induced to enter into this Agreement by, among other things, the mutual waivers, agreements, and certifications in this section.
Section 7.10 Severability . In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.
Section 7.11 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute but one contract, and shall become effective as provided in Section 7.03. Delivery of an executed counterpart to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed original. Any such delivery shall be followed promptly by delivery of the manually signed original.
Section 7.12 Headings . Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.
Section 7.13 Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process . (a) Each party to this Agreement hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of any Texas State court or federal court of the United States of America sitting in Houston, Texas, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such Texas State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court. Each of the parties hereto further irrevocably consents to the service of process in any action or proceeding in such courts by the mailing thereof by any parties thereto by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the Borrower at the address specified for the Loan Parties in Section 9.01(a) of the Credit Agreement. Each of the parties hereto 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 Agreement shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent or any other Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any Guarantor, or its properties, in the courts of any jurisdiction.
(b) Each party to this Agreement hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document in any Texas State or federal court sitting in Houston, Texas. 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 action or proceeding in any such court.
Section 7.14 Termination or Release . (a) This Agreement and the guarantees made herein shall terminate, and each Guarantor shall be automatically released from its obligations
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hereunder, when all the Obligations are paid in full in cash and the Commitments are terminated (other than (A) contingent indemnification obligations and (B) obligations and liabilities under Revolving Letters of Credit as to which arrangements satisfactory to the Issuing Banks shall have been made).
(b) Upon the consummation of any transaction or series of transactions as a result of which any Guarantor ceases to be a Material Subsidiary of the Borrower that (x) is not prohibited by the Loan Documents, (y) is consummated while no Default or Event of Default has occurred or is continuing, and (z) would not result in a Change in Control, Default or an Event of Default, then such Guarantor shall automatically be released from its obligations hereunder.
(c) Reserved.
(d) Reserved.
(e) In connection with any termination pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 7.14, the Administrative Agent shall execute and deliver to any Guarantor, at such Guarantors expense, all documents that such Guarantor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination. Any execution and delivery of documents pursuant to this Section 7.14 shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Administrative Agent.
Section 7.15 Additional Guarantors . Any Subsidiary may become a party hereto by signing and delivering to the Administrative Agent a Guaranty Agreement Supplement, substantially in the form of Exhibit I hereto, whereupon such Subsidiary shall become a Guarantor defined herein with the same force and effect as if originally named as a Guarantor herein. The execution and delivery of any such instrument shall not require the consent of any other party to this Agreement. The rights and obligations of each party to this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new party to this Agreement.
Section 7.16 Set Off . If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each Issuing Bank 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) at any time held and other indebtedness at any time owing by such Lender or such Issuing Bank to or for the credit or the account of any Guarantor, against any and all obligations of such Guarantor, now or hereafter existing under this Guaranty or any other Loan Document held by such Lender or such Issuing Bank, irrespective of whether or not such Lender or such Issuing Bank shall have made any demand under this Agreement or such other Loan Document and although the obligations may be unmatured. The rights of each Lender and each Issuing Bank under this Section 7.16 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of set-off) that such Lender or such Issuing Bank may have.
Section 7.17 Credit Agreement . If any conflict exists between this Agreement and the Credit Agreement, the Credit Agreement shall govern.
Section 7.18 Authority of Administrative Agent . Each Guarantor acknowledges that the rights and responsibilities of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement with respect to any action taken by the Administrative Agent shall, as among the Lenders, be governed by the Credit Agreement and by such other agreements with respect thereto as may exist from time to time among them, but, as between the Administrative Agent and the Guarantors, the Administrative Agent shall be conclusively presumed to be acting as agent for the Lenders with full and valid
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authority so to act or refrain from acting, and no Guarantor shall be under any obligation, or entitlement, to make any inquiry respecting such authority. The Administrative Agent has been appointed to act as Administrative Agent hereunder by the Lenders and, by their acceptance of the benefits hereof, any other Lenders becoming a party to the Credit Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall be obligated, and shall have the right hereunder, to make demands, to give notices, to exercise or refrain from exercising any rights, and to take or refrain from taking any action, solely in accordance with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.
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Acknowledged and Agreed as of the date first written above:
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Exhibit I
to the Guaranty Agreement
FORM OF SUPPLEMENT TO GUARANTY AGREEMENT
SUPPLEMENT NO. dated as of [ ] (this Supplement ), to the Guaranty Agreement dated as of August 14, 2013 (the Guaranty Agreement ), among FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., a private limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands ( FIMBV ), acting as sole general partner and on behalf of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V., a limited partnership ( commanditaire vennootschap ) formed and entered into under the laws of The Netherlands ( Franks International C.V. and, FIMBV acting as sole general partner and on behalf of Franks International C.V., the Borrower ), and each Subsidiary that shall, at any time after the date thereof, become a Loan Party pursuant to Section 7.15 thereof (each, a Guarantor ) and Amegy Bank National Association ( Amegy ), as administrative agent (in such capacity, the Administrative Agent ) for the Lenders (as defined therein).
A. Reference is made to the Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of August 14, 2013 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement ), among the Borrower, the lenders party thereto from time to time (the Lenders ) and Amegy, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders.
B. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement and the Guaranty Agreement referred to therein.
C. The Guarantors have entered into the Guaranty Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to make Loans and each Issuing Bank to issue Revolving Letters of Credit. Section 7.15 of the Guaranty Agreement provides that any additional Subsidiary may become a Guarantor under the Guaranty Agreement by execution and delivery of an instrument in the form of this Supplement (with such changes and modifications hereto as may be required by the laws of any applicable foreign jurisdiction to the extent applicable). The undersigned Subsidiary (the New Subsidiary ) is executing this Supplement, in accordance with the requirements of the Credit Agreement, to become a Guarantor under the Guaranty Agreement, in order to induce the Lenders to make additional Loans and each Issuing Bank to issue additional Revolving Letters of Credit and as consideration for Loans previously made and Letters of Credit previously issued.
Accordingly, the Administrative Agent and the New Subsidiary agree as follows:
SECTION 1. In accordance with Section 7.15 of the Guaranty Agreement, the New Subsidiary by its signature below and delivery thereof to the Administrative Agent becomes a Guarantor under the Guaranty Agreement with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Guarantor, and the New Subsidiary hereby (a) agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Guaranty Agreement applicable to it as a Guarantor thereunder and (b) represents and warrants that the representations and warranties made by it as a Guarantor thereunder are true and correct, in all material respects, on and as of the date hereof, except 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. Each reference to a Guarantor in the Guaranty Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Subsidiary. The Guaranty Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
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SECTION 2. The New Subsidiary represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the other Lenders that this Supplement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to (i) the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws affecting creditors rights generally, (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) implied covenants of good faith and fair dealing.
SECTION 3. This Supplement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute but one contract. This Supplement shall become effective when (a) the Administrative Agent shall have received a counterpart of this Supplement that bears the signature of the New Subsidiary and (b) the Administrative Agent has executed a counterpart hereof. Delivery of an executed counterpart to this Supplement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed original. Any such delivery shall be followed promptly by delivery of the manually signed original.
SECTION 4. Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Guaranty Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 5. THIS SUPPLEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS SUPPLEMENT AND ALL CLAIMS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF, WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT LAW OR TORT LAW, SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.
SECTION 6. In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Supplement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and in the Guaranty Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.
SECTION 7. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 7.01 of the Guaranty Agreement.
SECTION 8. The New Subsidiary agrees to reimburse the Administrative Agent for its reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Supplement, including the reasonable and documented fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel for the Administrative Agent.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Subsidiary and the Administrative Agent have duly executed this Supplement to the Guaranty Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
[Insert Company Name], | ||
as New Subsidiary | ||
By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: | ||
AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: |
E-16
EXHIBIT F
FORM OF SOLVENCY CERTIFICATE
I, the undersigned, the [Chief Financial Officer] [title of other Responsible Officer] of the Borrower (as defined below), DO HEREBY CERTIFY on behalf of the Borrower that:
1. This Certificate is furnished pursuant to Section 4.02(g) of the Revolving Credit Agreement (as in effect on the date of this Certificate, the Revolving Credit Agreement ), dated as of August 14, 2013 among FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., a private limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands ( FIMBV ), acting as sole general partner and on behalf of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V., a limited partnership ( commanditaire vennootschap ) formed and entered into under the laws of The Netherlands ( Franks International C.V. and, FIMBV acting as sole general partner and on behalf of Franks International C.V., the Borrower ), the LENDERS party thereto from time to time, and AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as administrative agent, issuing bank and swingline facility lender. Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Revolving Credit Agreement.
2. Immediately after giving effect to the Transactions, (a) the fair value of the assets (for the avoidance of doubt, calculated to include goodwill and other intangibles) of the Borrower and the Borrowers Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, at a fair valuation, will exceed the debts and liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, of the Borrower and the Borrowers Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis; (b) the present fair saleable value of the property of the Borrower and the Borrowers Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of the Borrower and the Borrowers Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, on their debts and other liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured; (c) the Borrower and the Borrowers Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will be able to pay their debts and liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured; and (d) the Borrower and the Borrowers Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the businesses in which they are engaged as such businesses are now conducted and are proposed to be conducted following the Closing Date.
3. The Borrower does not intend to, and does not believe that it or any of its Subsidiaries will, incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature, taking into account the timing and amounts of cash to be received by it or any Subsidiary, and the timing and amounts of cash to be payable on or in respect of its Indebtedness or the Indebtedness of any such Subsidiary.
[Signature Page Follows]
F-1
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this day of August, 2013.
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., acting on behalf of and as sole general partner of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V., as
Borrower |
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By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: |
F-2
EXHIBIT G
FORM OF REVOLVING NOTE
Dated: August 14, 2013
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., a private limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands ( FIMBV ), acting as sole general partner and on behalf of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V., a limited partnership ( commanditaire vennootschap ) formed and entered into under the laws of The Netherlands ( Franks International C.V. and, FIMBV acting as sole general partner and on behalf of Franks International C.V., the Borrower ), HEREBY PROMISES TO PAY to [NAME OF LENDER] (the Lender ) or its registered assigns for the account of its applicable lending office the principal amount of the Revolving Facility Loans (as defined below) owing to the Lender by the Borrower pursuant to the Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of August 14, 2013 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement ; terms defined therein, unless otherwise defined herein, being used herein as therein defined), among the Borrower, the LENDERS party thereto from time to time, and AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as administrative agent, issuing bank and swingline facility lender. Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
The Borrower promises to pay to the Lender or its registered assigns interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Facility Loan advanced to the Borrower by the Lender from the date of such Revolving Facility Loan until such principal amount is paid in full, at such interest rates, and payable at such times, as are specified in the Credit Agreement.
Both principal and interest are payable in U.S. dollars to Amegy Bank National Association, as Administrative Agent, in immediately available funds. Each Revolving Facility Loan advanced to the Borrower and the maturity thereof, and all payments made on account of principal thereof, shall be recorded by the Lender and, prior to any transfer hereof, endorsed on the grid attached hereto, which is part of this promissory note (the Promissory Note ); provided, however , that the failure of the Lender to make any such recordation or endorsement shall not affect the Obligations of the Borrower under this Promissory Note.
This Promissory Note is one of the promissory notes referred to in Section 2.09(e) of the Credit Agreement and is entitled to the benefits of the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement, among other things, (i) provides for the making of loans (the Revolving Facility Loans ) by the Revolving Facility Lenders to or for the benefit of the Borrower from time to time in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time the Revolving Facility Commitment, the indebtedness of the Borrower resulting from each such Revolving Facility Loan being, on request of a Revolving Facility Lender, evidenced by such promissory notes, and (ii) contains provisions for acceleration of the maturity hereof upon the happening of certain stated events and also for prepayments on account of principal hereof prior to the maturity hereof upon the terms and conditions therein specified.
The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of any Texas State court or federal court of the United States of America sitting in Houston, Texas, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Promissory Note or the other Loan Documents, or
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for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such Texas State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court. The Borrower further irrevocably consents to the service of process in any action or proceeding in such courts by the mailing thereof by any parties thereto by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the Borrower at the address specified for the Loan Parties in Section 9.01(a) of the Credit Agreement. The Borrower 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 Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Promissory Note or the other Loan Documents in any Texas State or federal court sitting in Houston, Texas. The Borrower hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.
Reference is hereby made to Sections 9.09 and 9.11 of the Credit Agreement, the provisions of which are hereby incorporated by reference in this Promissory Note as if fully set forth herein, for the payment and performance of Borrowers obligations hereunder.
This Promissory Note shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Texas.
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., acting on behalf of and as sole general partner of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V., as
Borrower |
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By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: |
G-2
LOANS AND PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL
Date |
Amount of Loans |
Amount of
Principal Paid or Prepaid |
Unpaid Principal
Balance |
Notation Made By |
||||
G-3
EXHIBIT H-1
[FORM OF]
U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
(For Non-U.S. Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Reference is hereby made to the Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of August 14, 2013 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement ), among FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., a private limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands ( FIMBV ), acting as sole general partner and on behalf of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V., a limited partnership ( commanditaire vennootschap ) formed and entered into under the laws of The Netherlands ( Franks International C.V. and, FIMBV acting as sole general partner and on behalf of Franks International C.V., the Borrower ), the LENDERS party thereto from time to time, and AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as administrative agent, issuing bank and swingline facility lender. Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.
The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.
Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
[NAME OF LENDER] | ||||
By: |
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|||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
Date: , 20[ ] |
H-1
EXHIBIT H-2
[FORM OF]
U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
(For Foreign Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Reference is hereby made to the Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of August 14, 2013 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement ), among FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., a private limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands ( FIMBV ), acting as sole general partner and on behalf of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V., a limited partnership ( commanditaire vennootschap ) formed and entered into under the laws of The Netherlands ( Franks International C.V. and, FIMBV acting as sole general partner and on behalf of Franks International C.V., the Borrower ), the LENDERS party thereto from time to time, and AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as administrative agent, issuing bank and swingline facility lender. Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.
The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender in writing, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.
Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
[NAME OF PARTICIPANT] | ||
By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: | ||
Date: , 20[ ] |
H-2
EXHIBIT H-3
[FORM OF]
U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
(For Foreign Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Reference is hereby made to the Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of August 14, 2013 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement ), among FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., a private limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands ( FIMBV ), acting as sole general partner and on behalf of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V., a limited partnership ( commanditaire vennootschap ) formed and entered into under the laws of The Netherlands ( Franks International C.V. and, FIMBV acting as sole general partner and on behalf of Franks International C.V., the Borrower ), the LENDERS party thereto from time to time, and AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as administrative agent, issuing bank and swingline facility lender. Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such participation, (iii) with respect such participation, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.
The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN from each of such partners/members beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.
Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
[NAME OF PARTICIPANT] | ||
By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: | ||
Date: , 20[ ] |
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EXHIBIT H-4
[FORM OF]
U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
(For Non-U.S. Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Reference is hereby made to the Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of August 14, 2013 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement ), among FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., a private limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands ( FIMBV ), acting as sole general partner and on behalf of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V., a limited partnership ( commanditaire vennootschap ) formed and entered into under the laws of The Netherlands ( Franks International C.V. and, FIMBV acting as sole general partner and on behalf of Franks International C.V., the Borrower ), the LENDERS party thereto from time to time, and AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as administrative agent, issuing bank and swingline facility lender. Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (iii) with respect to the extension of credit pursuant to this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.
The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN from each of such partners/members beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.
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Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
[NAME OF LENDER] | ||||
By: |
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Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
Date: , 20[ ] |
H-4-2
EXHIBIT I
FORM OF ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE
Administrative Questionnaire
I. Borrower Name: | FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., acting on behalf of and as sole general partner of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V. | |||
II. Legal Name of Lender for Signature Page: |
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III. Name of Lender for any eventual tombstone: |
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IV. Legal Address: | ||||
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V. Contact Information: |
Credit Contact |
Operations Contact |
Legal Counsel |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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Address: |
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Telephone: |
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Facsimile: |
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Email: |
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VI. Lenders Wire Payment Instructions: | ||||||
Pay to: |
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(Name of Lender) | ||||||
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(ABA#) |
(City/State) |
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(Account #) |
(Account Name) |
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Please return this form, by fax, to the attention of Administrative Agent, fax 713-571-5413 , no later than 5:00 p.m. Houston, Texas time, on [ ] , 20 .
I-2
Administrative Questionnaire
Borrower Name: | FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., acting on behalf of and as sole general partner of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V. | |
VII. Organizational Structure: | ||
Branch, organized under which laws, etc. |
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Lenders Tax ID: |
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Tax withholding Form Attached
¨ | Form W-9 |
¨ | Form W-8BEN/W-8EXP/W-8IMY/W-8ECI (with any required attachments) |
¨ | W/Hold % Effective |
VIII. Payment Instructions:
Servicing Site:
Pay To:
IX. Name of Authorized Officer: |
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Name: |
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Signature: |
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Date: |
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Administrative Questionnaire
X. Institutional Investor Sub-Allocations
Institution Legal: |
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Fund Manager: |
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Sub-Allocations: |
Exact Legal Name
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Sub-Allocation
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Direct Signer to
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Purchase by
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Date
of
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1. |
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EXHIBIT J
FORM OF NOTICE OF REVOLVING FACILITY COMMITMENT INCREASE
[Date]
AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent
4400 Post Oak Parkway
Houston, TX 77027
Attention: Brad Ellis
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned, FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., a private limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands ( FIMBV ), acting as sole general partner and on behalf of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V., a limited partnership ( commanditaire vennootschap ) formed and entered into under the laws of The Netherlands ( Franks International C.V. and, FIMBV acting as sole general partner and on behalf of Franks International C.V., the Borrower ), refers to the Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of August 14, 2013 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement , with terms defined in the Credit Agreement and not otherwise defined herein being used herein as therein defined) among the Borrower, the Lenders party thereto, Amegy Bank National Association, as Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank and Swingline Facility Lender, and hereby give you notice pursuant to Section 2.20(a) of the Credit Agreement that the Borrower hereby requests that the aggregate amount of the Revolving Facility Commitments be increased and the Revolving Facility Lenders or other financial institutions named below have agreed to provide Revolving Facility Commitments under the Credit Agreement, and in that connection sets forth below the information relating to such proposed Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment as required by Section 2.20(a) of the Credit Agreement:
(a) the proposed Increased Amount Date is 201[ ]. 15
(b) the amount of the requested increase of the Revolving Facility Commitments is $ ,000,000; [$5,000,000 minimum not to exceed $150,000,000 in the aggregate] ;
(c) the Revolving Facility Lenders, which have agreed with the Borrower to provide increased Revolving Facility Commitments, OR [Eligible Assignees which have agreed to provide Revolving Facility Commitments] are: [INSERT NAMES OF THE REVOLVING FACILITY LENDERS OR ELIGIBLE ASSIGNEES] ; and
(d) set forth on Annex I hereto is the amount of the respective Revolving Facility Commitments of all Revolving Facility Lenders giving effect to the Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments on the Increased Amount Date.
15 | This date must be at least ten (10) Business Days after the delivery of this Notice to the Administrative Agent. |
J-1
Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Notice of Revolving Facility Commitment Increase by telecopier, pdf or other electronic means shall be effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Notice of Revolving Facility Commitment Increase.
[ Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank; Signature Pages Follow]
J-2
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., acting on behalf of and as sole general partner of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V.,
as Borrower |
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By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: |
J-3
EXHIBIT K
FORM OF CREDIT AGREEMENT JOINDER
This CREDIT AGREEMENT JOINDER (the Joinder Agreement ) is made as of the day of , 201 by and among FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., a private limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands ( FIMBV ), acting as sole general partner and on behalf of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V., a limited partnership ( commanditaire vennootschap ) formed and entered into under the laws of The Netherlands ( Franks International C.V. and, FIMBV acting as sole general partner and on behalf of Franks International C.V., the Borrower ), AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, individually and as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, Administrative Agent ), Issuing Bank and Swingline Facility Lender and [ ] ( New Lender ).
RECITALS
Borrower, Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank, Swingline Facility Lender and the Lenders named therein are parties to that certain Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of August 14, 2013 (as amended, supplemented, restated, increased, extended or otherwise modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement ). All terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the same meaning given to them in the Credit Agreement. All article and section references herein are to sections of the Credit Agreement unless otherwise specified.
Pursuant to Section 2.20, Borrower has the right to cause from time to time an increase in the existing Revolving Facility Commitments (any such increase, the Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments ) by adding to the Credit Agreement an additional Revolving Facility Lender or other financial institution subject to the consent of the Administrative Agent, Swingline Facility Lender and Issuing Bank; provided that (i) no Default or Event of Default shall exist on such Increased Amount Date before or after giving effect to such Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments; (ii) the representations and warranties contained in Article III and the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (unless qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in which case accuracy of such qualified representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of the Increased Amount 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; (iii) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be in compliance, on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to such Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments, with the Financial Performance Covenants recomputed as at the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries; (iv) such increase in the Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments shall be recorded in the Register, subject to the requirements set forth in Section 2.17(e); (v) the Borrower shall make any payments required pursuant to Section 2.16 in connection with the provisions of the Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments; (vi) the Increased Amount Date shall be no earlier than ten Business Days after Administrative Agents receipt of the Notice of Revolving Facility Commitment Increase; (vii) no such increase shall result in the aggregate amount of the Commitments exceeding $250,000,000; and (vii) no such increase shall be in an amount less than $5,000,000.
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AGREEMENT
1. Borrower and New Lender hereby agree that, from and after the date hereof, New Lender shall have the Revolving Facility Commitment as set forth on the attached Supplement to Schedule 2.01 . By its execution and delivery of this Joinder Agreement, New Lender hereby assumes all of the rights and obligations of a Revolving Facility Lender under the Credit Agreement to the extent of such Revolving Facility Commitment. Such Revolving Facility Commitment of New Lender shall represent an increase in the Revolving Facility Commitments pursuant to Section 2.20.
2. Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank, Swingline Facility Lender and Borrower hereby consent to and approve the Revolving Facility Commitment of New Lender and such resulting increase in the aggregate Revolving Facility Commitment pursuant to Section 2.20.
3. New Lender hereby (a) represents and warrants as follows: (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary to execute and deliver this Joinder Agreement, to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Revolving Facility Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) from and after the Increased Amount Date, it shall, to the extent of its Revolving Facility Commitment, be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Revolving Facility Lender thereunder, and, to the extent of its Revolving Facility Commitment, shall have the obligations of a Revolving Facility Lender thereunder, (iii) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Sections 5.04(a) and (b) thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Joinder Agreement on the basis of which it has made such analysis and decision independently and without reliance on Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and (iv) if it is a Non-U.S. Lender, attached to this Joinder Agreement is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to Section 2.17(e), duly completed and executed by New Lender; and (b) agrees that (1) it will, independently and without reliance on Administrative 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 the Loan Documents, and (2) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.
4. This Joinder Agreement shall be effective on the date (the Effective Date ) that (i) Borrower and New Lender each execute a counterpart hereof and deliver the same to Administrative Agent, (ii) Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank and Swingline Facility Lender execute and deliver a counterpart hereof to Borrower and New Lender and (iii) each of the conditions to the increase in the aggregate Revolving Facility Commitment in Section 2.20 shall have occurred. From and after the Effective Date, New Lender shall be a Revolving Facility Lender under the Loan Documents.
5. Upon any increase in the aggregate Revolving Facility Commitment pursuant to Section 2.20, Revolving Facility Lenders have authorized Administrative Agent and Borrower to make non-ratable borrowings and prepayments of the Revolving Facility Loans, and if any such prepayment would result in payments being due under the Credit Agreement, Borrower shall pay any such required amounts in order to keep the outstanding Revolving Facility Loans ratable
K-2
with any revised Revolving Facility Percentage arising from the Revolving Facility Commitment under this Joinder Agreement. On the Effective Date, New Lender shall make a Revolving Facility Loan for the account of Borrower to the extent necessary to implement such provisions of Section 2.20.
6. Borrower (a) represents and warrants that, on and as of the Effective Date, before and after giving effect to the Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments, (i) no Default or Event of Default shall exist before or after giving effect to such Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments, (ii) the representations and warranties contained in Article III and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects (unless qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in which case accuracy of such qualified representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of the 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 Joinder Agreement the representation and warranty contained in Section 3.06 shall be deemed to refer to the most recent financial statements furnished pursuant to clause (a) of Section 5.04, (iii) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are in compliance, on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to such Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments, with the Financial Performance Covenants recomputed as at the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries. Borrower hereby certifies that attached hereto is a true and correct copy of resolutions of its Board of Directors or other governing body authorizing the increase in the aggregate Revolving Facility Commitment to $ as set forth in this Joinder Agreement.
7. Borrower hereby (i) consents to the provisions of this Joinder Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein and (ii) agrees that all of its respective obligations and covenants thereunder shall remain unimpaired by the execution and delivery of this Joinder Agreement and the other documents and instruments executed in connection herewith.
8. This Joinder Agreement may not be amended, changed, waived or modified, except by a writing executed by the parties hereto.
9. This Joinder Agreement embodies the entire agreement among New Lender, Borrower, Issuing Bank, Swingline Facility Lender and Administrative Agent with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all other prior arrangements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof.
10. This Joinder Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which shall be deemed to be an original. Each such counterpart shall become effective when counterparts have been executed by all parties hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Joinder Agreement by telecopier, pdf or other electronic means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Joinder Agreement.
11. This Joinder Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of New Lender and Borrower and their respective successors and permitted assigns, except that neither party may assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the other party.
K-3
12. This Joinder Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Texas.
If requested by New Lender, Borrower shall execute and deliver to New Lender, as of the Effective Date, a Note in the form attached to the Credit Agreement to evidence the Revolving Facility Commitment of New Lender.
[ REMAINDER OF PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK .]
K-4
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank, Swingline Facility Lender, Borrower and New Lender have executed this Joinder Agreement as of the date shown above.
AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank and Swingline Facility Lender | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
, as New Lender | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., acting on behalf of and as sole general partner of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V., as Borrower | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: |
SUPPLEMENT TO SCHEDULE 2.01
OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT
Revolving Facility Lender |
Revolving Facility
Commitment |
Revolving Facility
Percentage |
||
RESOLUTIONS OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V.,
[attach resolutions]
SCHEDULES
Schedule 1.01 | Existing Letters of Credit | |
Schedule 2.01 | Commitments | |
Schedule 3.04 | Governmental Approvals | |
Schedule 3.07(g) | Subsidiaries | |
Schedule 3.08(a) | Litigation | |
Schedule 3.12 | Taxes | |
Schedule 3.15 | Environmental Matters | |
Schedule 3.20 | Insurance | |
Schedule 3.22 | Material Contracts | |
Schedule 6.01 | Indebtedness | |
Schedule 6.02(a) | Liens | |
Schedule 6.04 | Investments |
SCHEDULE 1.01
EXISTING LETTERS OF CREDIT
Issuer |
LC# |
Expiry
Date |
Amount |
Beneficiary |
||||||
Amegy Bank National Association |
SC07583 | 12/31/13 | 1,500,000.00 | HSBC Bank-Singapore | ||||||
Amegy Bank National Association |
SC07607 | 5/31/15 | 544,285.50 | Standard Chartered Bank | ||||||
Amegy Bank National Association |
SC07857 | 11/17/17 | 1,176,563.12 | Standard Chartered Bank | ||||||
Amegy Bank National Association |
SC07997 | 02/08/14 | 247,429.50 | Standard Chartered Bank | ||||||
Amegy Bank National Association |
SC08024 | 03/20/15 | 174,326.60 | Standard Chartered Bank | ||||||
Amegy Bank National Association |
SC08112 | 06/20/16 | 116,871.83 | Standard Chartered Bank | ||||||
Amegy Bank National Association |
SC08186 | 09/05/14 | 189,941.60 | Standard Chartered Bank | ||||||
Amegy Bank National Association |
SC08232 | 07/16/15 | 15,000.00 | Standard Chartered Bank | ||||||
Amegy Bank National Association |
SC08274 | 10/03/14 | 243,396.10 | Standard Chartered Bank | ||||||
Whitney Bank |
SB71526L | 10/26/14 | 328,628.26 | Malayan Banking Berhad | ||||||
Whitney Bank |
SB71586L | 1/26/14 | 37,246.86 | Malayan Banking Berhad |
SCHEDULE 2.01
Revolving Facility Lender |
Revolving Facility
Commitment |
Revolving Facility
Percentage |
||||||
Amegy Bank National Association |
$ | 20,000,000.00 | 20.00 | % | ||||
Capital One, National Association |
$ | 20,000,000.00 | 20.00 | % | ||||
Whitney Bank |
$ | 15,000,000.00 | 15.00 | % | ||||
Bank of America, N.A. |
$ | 10,000,000.00 | 10.00 | % | ||||
Citibank, N.A. |
$ | 10,000,000.00 | 10.00 | % | ||||
Regions Bank |
$ | 5,000,000.00 | 5.00 | % | ||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. |
$ | 5,000,000.00 | 5.00 | % | ||||
BOKF, NA, dba The Bank of Texas |
$ | 5,000,000.00 | 5.00 | % | ||||
Cadence Bank, N.A. |
$ | 5,000,000.00 | 5.00 | % | ||||
Comerica Bank |
$ | 5,000,000.00 | 5.00 | % | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
TOTAL |
$ | 100,000,000.00 | 100.00 | % | ||||
|
|
|
|
SCHEDULE 3.04
GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS
None.
SCHEDULE 3.07(g)
SUBSIDIARIES
Entity |
Jurisdiction of
|
Equity Owner |
Percentage of
Equity Owned |
|||||
Franks International Management B.V. |
The Netherlands |
N/A |
N/A | |||||
Franks International, LLC |
Texas |
Franks International Management B.V. |
100 | % | ||||
Franks Casing Crew & Rental Tools, LLC |
Louisiana |
Franks International Management B.V. |
100 | % | ||||
Oilfield Equipment Rental B.V. |
The Netherlands |
Franks International Operations B.V. |
100 | % | ||||
Franks International West Africa (BVI) Ltd. |
British Virgin Islands |
Franks International (BVI) Ltd. |
100 | % | ||||
Franks International (BVI) Ltd. |
British Virgin Islands |
Franks International (Bermuda) Ltd. |
100 | % |
SCHEDULE 3.08(a)
LITIGATION
None.
SCHEDULE 3.12
TAXES
(i) None.
(ii) None.
SCHEDULE 3.15
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
None.
SCHEDULE 3.20
INSURANCE
Property Coverage
1. | All Loan Parties are covered by a $68,207,710.00 equipment floater policy with Underwriters at Lloyds and National Union Fire Insurance Co. |
Liability and Umbrella Coverage
1. | All Loan Parties are covered by a $10,000,000 commercial general liability policy with the National Union Fire Insurance Co. |
2. | All Loan Parties are covered by a $15,000,000 umbrella/excess liabilities policy with the National Union Fire Insurance Co. of Pittsburg, PA |
3. | All Loan Parties are covered by a $25,000,000 umbrella/excess liabilities (excess of the $15,000,000 primary umbrella policy) policy with the Lexington Insurance Company |
4. | All Loan Parties are covered by a $60,000,000 umbrella/excess liabilities (excess of the $40,000,000 primary and secondary umbrella policies) policy with the Underwriters of London and Starr Indemnity |
SCHEDULE 3.22
MATERIAL CONTRACTS
None.
SCHEDULE 6.01
INDEBTEDNESS
None.
SCHEDULE 6.02(a)
LIENS
Type |
Debtor |
Lien Holder |
Jurisdiction |
Description |
||||
Federal Tax Lien | Franks International, LLC (f/k/a Franks International, Inc. | IRS | Federal |
Federal Tax Lien
in the amount of $7806.03 |
||||
Notice of Assignment (filing # 788982; dated September 23, 1986) | Franks Casing Crew & Rental Tools, LLC (f/k/a/ Franks Casing & Rental Tools, Inc.) |
Whitney National
Bank |
Terrebonne
Parish, LA |
Assignment of
Accounts Receivable; (reinscribed by filing # 36-58830 filed in the Parish of Orleans, dated 08/30/1991) |
||||
Notice of Assignment (filing # 86031990; dated September 23, 1986) | Franks Casing Crew & Rental Tools, LLC (f/k/a/ Franks Casing & Rental Tools, Inc.) |
Whitney National
Bank |
LaFayette Parish, LA |
Assignment of
Accounts Receivable; (reinscribed by filing # 36-58830 filed in the Parish of Orleans, dated 08/30/1991) |
||||
Financing Statement (filing # 36-58830; dated 08/30/1991, as continued) | Franks Casing Crew & Rental Tools, LLC (f/k/a/ Franks Casing & Rental Tools, Inc.) |
Whitney National
Bank |
Orleans Parish, LA | All Accounts | ||||
Financing Statement (filing # 36-144508; dated as of 12/22/1999, as continued) | Franks Casing Crew & Rental Tools, LLC (f/k/a/ Franks Casing & Rental Tools, Inc.) |
Whitney National
Bank |
Orleans, Parish, LA | Equipment |
Financing Statement (filing # 36-160096; dated as of 07/18/2001, as continued) | Franks Casing Crew & Rental Tools, LLC (f/k/a/ Franks Casing & Rental Tools, Inc.) |
Whitney National
Bank |
Orleans, Parish, LA |
All accounts, contract
rights, chattel paper, instruments, general intangibles, and inventory |
||||
Financing Statement (filing # 28-431949; dated as of 11/02/2007, as continued) | Franks Casing Crew & Rental Tools, LLC (f/k/a/ Franks Casing & Rental Tools, Inc.) |
Whitney National
Bank |
LaFayette,
Parish, LA |
Inventory, chattel
paper, and accounts |
||||
Financing Statement (filing # 28-433898; dated as of 03/25/2008, as continued) | Franks Casing Crew & Rental Tools, LLC (f/k/a/ Franks Casing & Rental Tools, Inc.) | VFS Financing, Inc. | LaFayette Parish | Certain listed aircraft | ||||
Financing Statement (filing # 09-1121484; dated as of 09/30/2009, as continued) | Franks Casing Crew & Rental Tools, LLC (f/k/a/ Franks Casing & Rental Tools, Inc.) | Red-D-Arc Inc. | Caddo Parish, LA |
Certain listed
equipment |
SCHEDULE 6.04
INVESTMENTS
Loan Party |
Investment |
|
Franks International Management B.V. | 100% of the Equity Interests in Frank International Coöperatief U.A., a COOP organized under the laws of the Netherlands | |
Franks International Management B.V. | 100% of the Equity Interests in Franks International, LLC, a Texas limited liability company | |
Franks International Management B.V. | 100% of the Equity Interests in Franks Casing Crew & Rental Tools, LLC, a Louisiana limited liability company | |
Franks International Management B.V. | 100% of the Equity Interests in Franks Tong Services, LLC, an Oklahoma limited liability company | |
Franks International, LLC | 100% of the Equity Interests in AOTools, LLC, a Texas limited liability company | |
Franks Casing Crew & Rental Tools, LLC | 100% of the Equity Interests in High Tech Components, LLC, a Louisiana limited liability company | |
Franks Casing Crew & Rental Tools, LLC | 100% of the Equity Interests in Kiser Holdings, LLC, a Louisiana limited liability company | |
Franks International (BVI) Ltd. | 100% of the Equity Interests in Franks International Tubular Products, Ltd., a British Virgin Islands corporation | |
Franks International (BVI) Ltd. | 100% of the Equity Interests in Franks International South America, Ltd., a British Virgin Islands corporation | |
Franks International (BVI) Ltd. | 100% of the Equity Interests in Franks Tubular, Ltd., a British Virgin Islands corporation | |
Franks International (BVI) Ltd. | 100% of the Equity Interests in Gulf Oilfield (Middle East), Limited, a British Virgin Islands corporation |
Franks International (BVI) Ltd. | 100% of the Equity Interests in International Tubular Services Limited, a British Virgin Islands corporation | |
Franks International (BVI) Ltd. | 100% of the Equity Interests in Antelope Oil Tools Limited, a British Virgin Islands corporation | |
Franks International (BVI) Ltd. | 100% of the Equity Interests in Franks International Middle East (BVI) Ltd., a British Virgin Islands corporation | |
Franks International (BVI) Ltd. | 100% of the Equity Interests in Franks Oilfield Services Limited, a British Virgin Islands corporation |
Exhibit 10.6
EXECUTION
U.S. $100,000,000
364-DAY REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT
Dated as of August 14, 2013
among
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V.
acting as sole general partner and on behalf of
the limited partnership ( commanditaire vennootschap )
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V.,
as Borrower,
AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Administrative Agent
CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as Syndication Agent
AMEGY BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
and
CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as Co-Lead Arrangers and
Joint Book Runners
and
THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO
TABLE OF CONTENTS
P AGE | ||||||
ARTICLE I | ||||||
D EFINITIONS | ||||||
Section 1.01 | Defined Terms | 1 | ||||
Section 1.02 | Terms Generally | 23 | ||||
Section 1.03 | Effectuation of Transfers | 23 | ||||
ARTICLE II | ||||||
T HE C REDITS | ||||||
Section 2.01 | Commitments | 23 | ||||
Section 2.02 | Loans and Borrowings | 24 | ||||
Section 2.03 | Requests for Borrowings | 24 | ||||
Section 2.04 | Reserved | 25 | ||||
Section 2.05 | Reserved | 25 | ||||
Section 2.06 | Funding of Borrowings | 25 | ||||
Section 2.07 | Interest Elections | 25 | ||||
Section 2.08 | Termination and Reduction of Commitments | 26 | ||||
Section 2.09 | Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt | 27 | ||||
Section 2.10 | Repayment of Loans | 27 | ||||
Section 2.11 | Prepayment of Loans | 28 | ||||
Section 2.12 | Fees | 28 | ||||
Section 2.13 | Interest | 28 | ||||
Section 2.14 | Alternate Rate of Interest | 29 | ||||
Section 2.15 | Increased Costs | 29 | ||||
Section 2.16 | Break Funding Payments | 30 | ||||
Section 2.17 | Taxes | 31 | ||||
Section 2.18 | Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs | 32 | ||||
Section 2.19 | Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders | 34 | ||||
Section 2.20 | Reserved | 35 | ||||
Section 2.21 | Illegality | 35 | ||||
Section 2.22 | Defaulting Lenders | 35 | ||||
Section 2.23 | Reserved | 36 | ||||
ARTICLE III | ||||||
R EPRESENTATIONS AND W ARRANTIES | ||||||
Section 3.01 | Organization; Powers | 36 | ||||
Section 3.02 | Authorization | 37 | ||||
Section 3.03 | Enforceability | 37 | ||||
Section 3.04 | Governmental Approvals | 37 | ||||
Section 3.05 | Financial Statements | 37 | ||||
Section 3.06 | No Material Adverse Effect | 37 | ||||
Section 3.07 | Title to Properties; Possession Under Leases | 37 | ||||
Section 3.08 | Litigation; Compliance with Laws | 38 | ||||
Section 3.09 | Federal Reserve Regulations | 39 |
i
Section 3.10 | Investment Company Act | 39 | ||||
Section 3.11 | Use of Proceeds | 39 | ||||
Section 3.12 | Tax Returns | 39 | ||||
Section 3.13 | No Material Misstatements | 39 | ||||
Section 3.14 | Employee Benefit Plans | 40 | ||||
Section 3.15 | Environmental Matters | 40 | ||||
Section 3.16 | Reserved | 40 | ||||
Section 3.17 | Reserved | 41 | ||||
Section 3.18 | Solvency | 41 | ||||
Section 3.19 | Labor Matters | 41 | ||||
Section 3.20 | Insurance | 41 | ||||
Section 3.21 | Status as Senior Debt | 41 | ||||
Section 3.22 | Material Contracts | 41 | ||||
Section 3.23 | Foreign Corrupt Practices | 42 | ||||
Section 3.24 | OFAC | 42 | ||||
ARTICLE IV | ||||||
C ONDITIONS TO C REDIT E VENTS | ||||||
Section 4.01 | All Credit Events | 42 | ||||
Section 4.02 | First Credit Event | 43 | ||||
ARTICLE V | ||||||
A FFIRMATIVE C OVENANTS | ||||||
Section 5.01 | Existence; Businesses and Properties | 45 | ||||
Section 5.02 | Insurance | 45 | ||||
Section 5.03 | Taxes; Payment of Obligations | 46 | ||||
Section 5.04 | Financial Statements, Reports, Etc. | 46 | ||||
Section 5.05 | Litigation and Other Notices | 47 | ||||
Section 5.06 | Compliance with Laws | 48 | ||||
Section 5.07 | Maintaining Records; Access to Properties and Inspections | 48 | ||||
Section 5.08 | Use of Proceeds | 48 | ||||
Section 5.09 | Compliance with Environmental Laws | 48 | ||||
Section 5.10 | Further Assurances; Additional Loan Parties | 49 | ||||
Section 5.11 | Fiscal Year | 49 | ||||
ARTICLE VI | ||||||
N EGATIVE C OVENANTS | ||||||
Section 6.01 | Indebtedness | 49 | ||||
Section 6.02 | Liens | 51 | ||||
Section 6.03 | Sale and Lease-back Transactions | 54 | ||||
Section 6.04 | Investments, Loans and Advances | 54 | ||||
Section 6.05 | Mergers, Consolidations, Sales of Assets and Acquisitions | 56 | ||||
Section 6.06 | Dividends and Distributions | 57 | ||||
Section 6.07 | Transactions with Affiliates | 59 | ||||
Section 6.08 | Business of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries | 60 | ||||
Section 6.09 | Limitation on Modifications of Indebtedness; Modifications of Certificate of Incorporation, By-laws and Certain Other Agreements; etc. | 60 | ||||
Section 6.10 | Leverage Ratio | 62 |
ii
Section 6.11 | Interest Coverage Ratio | 62 | ||||
Section 6.12 | Swap Agreements | 62 | ||||
ARTICLE VII | ||||||
E VENTS OF D EFAULT | ||||||
Section 7.01 | Events of Default | 62 | ||||
ARTICLE VIII | ||||||
T HE A DMINISTRATIVE A GENT | ||||||
Section 8.01 | Appointment and Authority | 64 | ||||
Section 8.02 | Rights as a Lender | 65 | ||||
Section 8.03 | Exculpatory Provisions | 65 | ||||
Section 8.04 | Reliance by Administrative Agent | 66 | ||||
Section 8.05 | Delegation of Duties | 66 | ||||
Section 8.06 | Resignation of the Administrative Agent | 66 | ||||
Section 8.07 | Non-Reliance on the Administrative Agent and Other Lenders | 67 | ||||
Section 8.08 | No Other Duties, Etc. | 67 | ||||
Section 8.09 | Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim | 67 | ||||
Section 8.10 | Guaranty Matters | 68 | ||||
Section 8.11 | Reserved | 68 | ||||
Section 8.12 | Indemnification | 68 | ||||
Section 8.13 | Appointment of Supplemental Administrative Agent | 68 | ||||
Section 8.14 | Withholding | 69 | ||||
Section 8.15 | Enforcement | 69 | ||||
ARTICLE IX | ||||||
M ISCELLANEOUS | ||||||
Section 9.01 | Notices | 70 | ||||
Section 9.02 | Survival of Agreement | 70 | ||||
Section 9.03 | Binding Effect | 71 | ||||
Section 9.04 | Successors and Assigns | 71 | ||||
Section 9.05 | Expenses; Indemnity | 74 | ||||
Section 9.06 | Right of Set-off | 75 | ||||
Section 9.07 | Applicable Law | 75 | ||||
Section 9.08 | Waivers; Amendment | 75 | ||||
Section 9.09 | Interest Rate Limitation | 76 | ||||
Section 9.10 | Entire Agreement | 77 | ||||
Section 9.11 | Waiver of Jury Trial | 77 | ||||
Section 9.12 | Severability | 79 | ||||
Section 9.13 | Counterparts | 79 | ||||
Section 9.14 | Headings | 79 | ||||
Section 9.15 | Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process | 79 | ||||
Section 9.16 | Confidentiality | 80 | ||||
Section 9.17 | Communications | 81 | ||||
Section 9.18 | Release of Guarantees | 82 | ||||
Section 9.19 | U.S.A. PATRIOT Act and Similar Legislation | 82 | ||||
Section 9.20 | Judgment | 82 | ||||
Section 9.21 | Reserved | 82 |
iii
Section 9.22 | No Fiduciary Duty | 83 | ||||
Section 9.23 | Application of Funds | 83 | ||||
Section 9.24 | Imaging of Documents | 83 | ||||
Section 9.25 | Keepwell | 84 |
iv
Exhibits and Schedules
Exhibit A | Form of Assignment and Acceptance | |
Exhibit B | Form of Prepayment Notice | |
Exhibit C-1 | Form of Borrowing Request | |
Exhibit D | Reserved | |
Exhibit E | Form of Guaranty Agreement | |
Exhibit F | Form of Solvency Certificate | |
Exhibit G | Form of Revolving Note | |
Exhibits H-1-4 | Forms of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate | |
Exhibit I | Form of Administrative Questionnaire | |
Schedule 1.01 | Existing Letters of Credit | |
Schedule 2.01 | Commitments | |
Schedule 3.04 | Governmental Approvals | |
Schedule 3.07(g) | Subsidiaries | |
Schedule 3.08(a) | Litigation | |
Schedule 3.12 | Taxes | |
Schedule 3.15 | Environmental Matters | |
Schedule 3.20 | Insurance | |
Schedule 3.22 | Material Contracts | |
Schedule 6.01 | Indebtedness | |
Schedule 6.02(a) | Liens | |
Schedule 6.04 | Investments |
v
THIS 364DAY REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of August 14, 2013 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, this Agreement ), is among FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., a private limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the Netherlands ( FIMBV ), acting as sole general partner and on behalf of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V., a limited partnership ( commanditaire vennootschap ) formed and entered into under the laws of The Netherlands ( Franks International C.V. and, FIMBV acting as sole general partner and on behalf of Franks International C.V., the Borrower ), the LENDERS party hereto from time to time, and AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association ( Amegy ), as administrative agent (in such capacity, together with any successor administrative agent appointed pursuant to the provisions of Article VIII, the Administrative Agent ) and CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as syndication agent (in such capacity, the Syndication Agent ).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Lenders extend credit in the form of Revolving Facility Loans at any time and from time to time prior to the Revolving Facility Maturity Date, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not in excess of U.S. $100,000,000.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Lenders are willing to extend such credit to the Borrower on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01 Defined Terms . As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings specified below:
ABR Borrowing shall mean a Borrowing comprised of ABR Loans.
ABR Loan shall mean any Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate in accordance with the provisions of Article II.
Adjusted Eurodollar Rate shall mean for any Interest Period with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, an interest rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1.00%) equal to (a) the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period multiplied by (b) the Statutory Reserves.
Administrator shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.11(b)(ii).
Administrative Agent shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
Administrative Agent Default Period shall mean, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any time when the Administrative Agent is a Defaulting Lender and is not performing its role as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents.
Administrative Agent Fees shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.12(d).
Administrative Questionnaire shall mean an Administrative Questionnaire in substantially the form of Exhibit I or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.
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Affiliate shall mean, when used with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.
Agent Parties shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17(c).
Agreement shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
Alternate Base Rate shall mean the greatest of (i) the Prime Rate per annum , (ii) the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 0.50% per annum , and (iii) the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate as of such date for a one-month Interest Period plus 1.00% per annum. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate shall be effective from and including the date of such change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate, respectively.
Applicable Margin shall mean for any day, (i) on and prior to the Trigger Date, (x) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, 1.50% per annum and (y) with respect to any ABR Loan, 0.50% per annum and (ii) after the Trigger Date, the applicable margin per annum set forth below under the caption Revolving Facility Loans ABR Loan Spread and Revolving Facility Loans Eurodollar Loan Spread , as applicable, based upon the Leverage Ratio as of the last date of the most recent fiscal quarter of the Borrower:
Leverage Ratio: |
Revolving Facility Loans
ABR Loan Spread |
Revolving Facility Loans
Eurodollar Loan Spread |
||||||
Category 1: Greater than 1.50 to 1.00 |
1.50 | % | 2.50 | % | ||||
Category 2: Greater than 0.50 to 1.00 but less than or equal to 1.50 to 1.00 |
1.00 | % | 2.00 | % | ||||
Category 3: Less than or equal to 0.50 to 1.00 |
0.50 | % | 1.50 | % |
For purposes of the foregoing, (1) the Leverage Ratio shall be determined as of the end of each fiscal quarter of the Borrowers fiscal year based upon the consolidated financial information of FINV and its Subsidiaries (including the Borrower) delivered pursuant to Section 5.04(a) or (b) and (2) each change in the Applicable Margin resulting from a change in the Leverage Ratio shall be effective on the first Business Day after the date of delivery to the Administrative Agent of such consolidated financial information indicating such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change; provided that the Leverage Ratio shall be deemed to be in Category 1 at the option of the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders, at any time during which the Borrower fails to deliver the consolidated financial information when required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.04(a) or (b), during the period from the expiration of the time for delivery thereof until such consolidated financial information is delivered.
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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained above in this definition or elsewhere in this Agreement, if it is subsequently determined that the computation of the Leverage Ratio set forth in a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower delivered to the Administrative Agent is inaccurate for any reason and the result thereof is that the Lenders received interest for any period based on an Applicable Margin that is less than that which would have been applicable had the Leverage Ratio been accurately determined, then, for all purposes of this Agreement, the Applicable Margin for any day occurring within the period covered by such certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower shall retroactively be deemed to be the relevant percentage as based upon the accurately determined Leverage Ratio for such period, and any shortfall in the interest theretofore paid by the Borrower for the relevant period pursuant to Section 2.12 and Section 2.13 as a result of the miscalculation of the Leverage Ratio shall be deemed to be (and shall be) due and payable under the relevant provisions of Section 2.12 or Section 2.13, as applicable, at the time the interest for such period were required to be paid pursuant to said Section (and shall remain due and payable until paid in full), in accordance with the terms of this Agreement); provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as an Event of Default described in Section 7.01(h) or (i) has not occurred with respect to the Borrower, such shortfall shall be due and payable five (5) Business Days following the determination described above.
Amegy shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
Approved Fund shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b).
Asset Acquisition shall mean any acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of, or all of the Equity Interests (other than directors qualifying shares) in a Person or division or line of business of a Person in respect of which the aggregate consideration exceeds U.S. $30,000,000.
Asset Disposition shall mean any sale, transfer or other disposition by a Loan Party or any Subsidiary of the Borrower to any Person other than a Loan Party or a Subsidiary of the Borrower to the extent otherwise permitted hereunder of any asset or group of related assets (other than inventory or other assets sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business) in one or a series of related transactions, the Net Proceeds from which exceed U.S. $30,000,000.
Assignment and Acceptance shall mean an assignment and acceptance entered into by a Lender and an assignee, and accepted by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (if required pursuant to Section 9.04(b)), in substantially the form of Exhibit A or such other form as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent.
Availability Period shall mean the period from the Closing Date to but excluding the earlier of the Revolving Facility Maturity Date and the date of termination of the Revolving Facility Commitments.
Available Unused Commitment shall mean, with respect to a Revolving Facility Lender, at any time of determination, an amount equal to the amount by which the Revolving Facility Commitment of such Revolving Facility Lender at such time exceeds the Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of such Revolving Facility Lender at such time.
Basel III shall mean the comprehensive set of capital, liquidity and other regulatory reform measures developed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, as implemented by the U.S. federal banking agencies.
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Benefitting Loan Party means a Loan Party for which funds or other support are necessary for such Loan Party to constitute an Eligible Contract Participant.
Board shall mean the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States.
Borrower shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement, it being understood, however, that for purpose of Sections 5 and 6 of this Agreement such term shall be deemed to include Franks International C.V.
Borrower Materials shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17(b).
Borrowing shall mean a group of Loans of a single Type under the Revolving Facility made on a single date to the Borrower and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect.
Borrowing Minimum shall mean (a) in the case of a Revolving Facility Borrowing comprised entirely of Eurodollar Loans, U.S. $1,000,000 and (b) in the case of a Revolving Facility Borrowing comprised entirely of ABR Loans, U.S. $1,000,000.
Borrowing Multiple shall mean (a) in the case of a Revolving Facility Borrowing comprised entirely of Eurodollar Loans, U.S. $500,000 and (b) in the case of a Revolving Facility Borrowing comprised entirely of ABR Loans, U.S. $500,000.
Borrowing Request shall mean a request by the Borrower for a Revolving Facility Borrowing in accordance with the terms of Section 2.03 and substantially in the form of Exhibit C .
Business Day shall mean any day of the year, other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banks are required or authorized to close in New York, New York or Houston, Texas, and, where used in the context of Eurodollar Loans, is also a day on which dealings are carried on in the London interbank market.
Calculation Period shall mean, as of any date of determination, the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on such date or, if such date is not the last day of a fiscal quarter, ending on the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Borrower most recently ended prior to such date.
Capital Lease Obligations of any Person shall mean the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP and, for purposes hereof, the amount of such obligations at any time shall be the capitalized amount thereof at such time determined in accordance with GAAP. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, any obligation of a Person under a lease (whether existing now or entered into in the future) that is not (or would not be) required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of such Person under GAAP as in effect at the time such lease is entered into shall not be treated as a Capital Lease Obligation solely as a result of (x) the adoption of any changes in, or (y) changes in the application of, GAAP after such lease is entered into.
Change in Control means the occurrence of any of the following: (a) at any time on or after consummation of an initial public offering of the common equity of FINV, any Person or group (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5 of the Exchange Act as in effect on the Closing Date), other than the Mosing Family, shall own beneficially (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5 of the Exchange Act as in effect on the
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Closing Date), directly or indirectly, in the aggregate Equity Interests representing 50% or more of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of FINV; or (b) FINV shall cease to own beneficially (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5 of the Exchange Act as in effect on the Closing Date), directly or indirectly, in the aggregate Equity Interests representing 50% or more of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of Borrower.
Change in Law shall mean (a) the adoption or implementation of any treaty, law, rule or regulation after the Closing Date, (b) any change in law, rule or regulation or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the Closing Date or (c) compliance by any Lender (or, for purposes of Section 2.15(b), by any lending office of such Lender or by such Lenders holding company, if any) with any written request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law but if not having the force of law, then being one with which the relevant party would customarily comply) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the Closing Date; provided , that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a Change in Law, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued; and, provided, further, that the increased costs associated with a Change in Law based on the foregoing clauses (x) and (y) may only be imposed to the extent the applicable Lender imposes the same charges on other similarly situated borrowers under comparable credit facilities.
Closing Date shall mean August 14, 2013, and Closing shall mean the making of the initial Loans on the Closing Date hereunder.
Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
Commitments shall mean with respect to any Lender, such Lenders Revolving Facility Commitment.
Commodity Exchange Act means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended and any successor statute.
Communications shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17(a).
Consolidated Funded Debt at any date shall mean (without duplication) all Indebtedness consisting of Capital Lease Obligations, Indebtedness for borrowed money and Indebtedness in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than (a) trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business and not past due for more than ninety (90) days unless being contested by such Person in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, (b) deferred compensation payable to directors, partners, members, officers or employees of FINV or any of its Subsidiaries and (c) any purchase price adjustment or earnout, except to the extent that the amount payable pursuant to such purchase price adjustment is determinable and is not paid when due (giving effect to any applicable grace period)), of the Loan Parties and Borrowers Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis on such date.
Consolidated Net Income shall mean, for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of FINV and its Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis; provided, however, that
(a) any net after-tax extraordinary, unusual or nonrecurring gains or losses (less all fees and expenses related thereto) or income, expenses or charges (including, without limitation,
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expenses or charges related to any offering of Equity Interests of any Loan Party or the Borrowers Subsidiaries, any Investment, acquisition or Indebtedness permitted to be incurred hereunder (in each case, whether or not successful), including all fees, expenses and charges related to the Transactions), in each case, shall be excluded; provided that, with respect to each nonrecurring item, the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent an officers certificate specifying and quantifying such item and stating that such item is a nonrecurring item,
(b) any net after-tax income or loss from discontinued operations and any net after-tax gain or loss on disposal of discontinued operations shall be excluded,
(c) any net after-tax gain or loss (including the effect of all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto) attributable to business dispositions or asset dispositions other than in the ordinary course of business (as determined in good faith by the governing body of the Borrower) shall be excluded,
(d) any net after-tax income or loss (including the effect of all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto) attributable to the refinancing, modification of or early extinguishment of indebtedness (including any net after-tax income or loss attributable to the repayment of obligations under Swap Agreements) shall be excluded,
(e) the Net Income for such period of any Person that is not a Subsidiary of a Loan Party, or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting, shall be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to a Loan Party or a Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period,
(f) the Net Income for such period of any Subsidiary (that is not a Loan Party) of a Loan Party shall be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Subsidiary of its Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (which has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by the operation of the terms of its organizational documents or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule, or governmental regulation applicable to that Subsidiary or its stockholders, partners or members, unless such restriction with respect to the payment of dividends or similar distributions has been legally waived or complied with,
(g) Consolidated Net Income for such period shall not include the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles during such period,
(h) any non-cash charges from the application of the purchase method of accounting in connection with the Transactions or any future acquisition, to the extent such charges are deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income, shall be excluded,
(i) any non-cash expenses (including, without limitation, write-downs and impairment of property, plant, equipment, goodwill and intangibles and other long-lived assets), any non-cash gains or losses on interest rate and foreign currency derivatives and any foreign currency transaction gains or losses and any foreign currency exchange translation gains or losses that arise on consolidation of integrated operations shall be excluded, and
(j) any long-term incentive plan accruals and any non-cash compensation expense realized from grants of stock or unit appreciation or similar rights, stock or unit options, any restricted stock or unit plan or other rights to officers, directors, and employees (or persons holding similar positions or performing similar functions for non corporate entities) of any Loan Party or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries shall be excluded.
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Consolidated Total Assets shall mean, as of any date, the total assets of FINV and its consolidated Subsidiaries (including Borrower), determined in accordance with GAAP, in each case as set forth on the consolidated balance sheet of FINV as of such date.
Control shall mean 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 ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and Controlling and Controlled shall have meanings correlative thereto.
Credit Event shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Article IV.
Default shall mean any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or which upon notice, lapse of time or both, unless cured or waived, would become an Event of Default.
Defaulting Lender shall mean any Lender that (a) has failed to perform any of its funding obligations under this Agreement within three Business Days of the date when due, unless the subject of a good faith dispute, (b) has notified the Borrower or the Administrative Agent that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations under this Agreement or has made a public statement to such effect with respect to its funding obligations under this Agreement (and such notice or public statement has not been withdrawn), (c) has failed, within three Business Days after request by the Administrative Agent (whether acting on its own behalf or at the reasonable request of the Borrower (it being understood that the Administrative Agent shall comply with any such reasonable request)), to confirm in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that it will comply with its funding obligations, (d) 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 three Business Days of the date when due, unless the subject of a good faith dispute or subsequently cured, or (e) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, become the subject of a proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency laws, or has had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity, or has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely as the result of the acquisition or maintenance of an ownership interest in such Lender or its direct or indirect parent company or the exercise of control over a Lender or its direct or indirect parent by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender.
Dispute shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.11(b)(i).
EBITDA shall mean, with respect to FINV and its Subsidiaries (including the Borrower) on a consolidated basis for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of FINV and its Subsidiaries for such period plus (a) the sum of (in each case without duplication and to the extent the respective amounts described in subclauses (i) through (vii) of this clause (a) reduced such Consolidated Net Income for the respective period for which EBITDA is being determined (but excluding any non-cash item to the extent it represents an accrual or reserve for a potential cash charge in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period)):
(i) provision for Taxes based on income, profits, losses or capital of FINV and its Subsidiaries for such period (adjusted for the tax effect of all adjustments made to Consolidated Net Income),
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(ii) Interest Expense of FINV and its Subsidiaries that are Loan Parties for such period (net of interest income of the General Partner and such Subsidiaries for such period) and to the extent not reflected in Interest Expense, costs of surety bonds in connection with financing activities,
(iii) depreciation, amortization (including, without limitation, amortization of intangibles and deferred financing fees) and other non-cash expenses (including, without limitation write-downs and impairment of property, plant, equipment, goodwill and intangibles and other long-lived assets and the impact of purchase accounting on FINV and its Subsidiaries for such period),
(iv) gain or loss on sale of assets of FINV and its Subsidiaries,
(v) foreign currency gain or loss by FINV and its Subsidiaries,
(vi) other non-cash adjustments (e.g., stock compensation expense as a result of the long term incentive plan), and
(vii) extraordinary losses and unusual or non-recurring cash charges;
minus (b) to the extent such amounts increased such Consolidated Net Income for the respective period for which EBITDA is being determined, non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income of FINV and its Subsidiaries for such period (but excluding any such items which represent the reversal in such period of any accrual of, or cash reserve for, anticipated cash charges in any prior period where such accrual or reserve is no longer required).
Eligible Assignee shall mean a Person that is (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender, (c) an Approved Fund, and (d) a financial institution approved by (i) the Administrative Agent and (ii) unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
Eligible Contract Participant means an eligible contract participant as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder.
Environment shall mean ambient air, surface water and groundwater (including potable water, navigable water and wetlands), the land surface or subsurface strata or sediment and natural resources such as flora and fauna.
Environmental Claim shall mean any and all actions, suits, demands, claims, liens, notices of non-compliance or violation, notices of liability or potential liability, investigations, proceedings, consent orders or consent agreements relating in any way to any actual or alleged violation of Environmental Law or any Release or threatened Release of, or exposure to, Hazardous Materials.
Environmental Event shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.01(m).
Environmental Law shall mean, collectively, all applicable federal, state, provincial, local or foreign laws, including common law, ordinances, regulations, rules, codes, orders, judgments or other
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legally enforceable requirements or rules of law that relate to (a) the prevention, abatement or elimination of pollution, or the protection of the Environment or human health, and (b) the use, generation, handling, treatment, storage, disposal, Release or transportation of, or exposure to, Hazardous Materials, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 9601 et seq. , the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. §§ 1531 et seq. , the Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 6901 et seq. , the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 7401 et seq. , the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. §§ 1251 et seq. , the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 2601 et seq. , the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 4321 et seq. , and the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 11001 et seq. , each as amended, and their foreign, state, provincial or local counterparts or equivalents.
Equity Interests of any Person shall mean any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participation or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any preferred stock, any limited or general partnership interest, any limited liability company membership interest and any unlimited liability company membership interests.
ERISA shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, the regulations promulgated thereunder and any successor thereto.
ERISA Affiliate shall mean any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with the Loan Parties, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code, or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.
ERISA Event shall mean: (a) a Reportable Event; (b) the failure to meet the minimum funding standard of Sections 412 or 430 of the Code or Sections 302 or 303 of ERISA with respect to any Plan (whether or not waived in accordance with Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA) or the failure to make by its due date a required installment under Section 430(j) of the Code with respect to any Plan or the failure to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan; (c) a determination that any Plan is in at risk status (as defined in Section 430 of the Code or Section 303 of ERISA); (d) the incurrence by any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability under Title IV of ERISA; (e) the receipt by any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan, or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan under Section 4042 of ERISA; (f) a determination that any Multiemployer Plan is in critical or endangered status under Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA; (g) the incurrence by any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (h) the receipt by any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is insolvent or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA; or (i) the occurrence of a nonexempt prohibited transaction (within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406 of ERISA) which could reasonably be expected to result in liability to the any Loan Party.
Eurodollar Borrowing shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Eurodollar Loans.
Eurodollar Loan shall mean any Revolving Facility Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate in accordance with the provisions of Article II.
Eurodollar Rate shall mean for any Interest Period with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, a rate per annum offered for U.S. Dollar deposits in an amount comparable to the principal amount of the applicable Eurodollar Loan for a period of time equal to the applicable Interest Period as of 11:00 a.m.
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City of London, England time two (2) Business Days prior to the first date of such Interest Period as shown on the display designated as British Bankers Association Interest Settlement Rates on the Bloomberg System ( Bloomberg ); provided, however , that if such rate is not available on Bloomberg, then such offered rate shall be otherwise independently determined by the Administrative Agent from an alternate, substantially similar independent source available to Administrative Agent and recognized in the banking industry.
Eurodollar Revolving Facility Borrowing shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Eurodollar Loans.
Event of Default shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.01.
Exchange Act shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and any successor statute.
Excluded Swap Obligation means, with respect to any Loan Party individually determined on a Loan Party by Loan Party basis, any Swap Obligation, if and to the extent that, all or a portion of the joint and several liability or the guaranty of such Loan Party for, or the grant by such Loan Party of a security interest or other Lien to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Loan Partys failure for any reason to constitute an Eligible Contract Participant at the time such guarantee or the grant of such security interest or other Lien becomes effective with respect to, or any other time such Loan Party is by virtue of such guarantee or grant of such security interest or other Lien otherwise deemed to enter into, such Swap Obligation. If a Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such guarantee, security interest or other Lien is or becomes illegal.
Excluded Taxes shall mean, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder (a) income, franchise and similar Taxes, in each case imposed on (or measured by) net income, net profits or capital by the United States (or any state or other subdivision thereof) or by the jurisdiction (or any political jurisdiction thereof) under the laws of which such recipient is organized, resident or doing business, or in which its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable lending office, is located or any jurisdiction in which such recipient has a present or former connection (other than any such connection arising solely from actions taken under the Loan Documents) is located, (b) any branch profits Tax or any similar Tax that is imposed by any jurisdiction described in clause (a) above, (c) any withholding Tax imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of a recipient with respect to an interest in a Loan or Commitment pursuant to a law that is in effect at the time the Administrative Agent, Lender or other recipient acquires an interest in such Loan or Commitment (other than in the case of an assignee pursuant to a request by a Loan Party under Section 2.19(b)) or designates a new lending office, except to the extent that such Lender or other recipient in the case of a designation of a new lending office, or its assignor, in the case of assignment, was entitled, at the time of designation of such new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts with respect to such withholding Tax pursuant to Section 2.17(a) or Section 2.17(c), (d) any backup withholding Tax, (e) any withholding Taxes attributable to such Lenders or such other recipients failure (other than as a result of a Change in Law) to comply with Section 2.17(e), and (f) any withholding Tax imposed under FATCA.
Existing Letters of Credit means collectively those letters of credit described on Schedule 1.01 .
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FATCA means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the Closing Date (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with the implementation of such Sections of the Code.
Family Member shall mean a spouse, lineal ancestor, lineal descendant, legally adopted child, brother or sister of a Person, or a lineal descendant or legally adopted child of a brother or sister of a Person.
FCPA means the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977.
Federal Funds Effective Rate shall mean, for any day, the weighted average (rounded upward, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the average (rounded upward, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the quotations for the day of such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.
Fee Letter shall mean that certain Engagement Letter dated June 21, 2013 among Amegy, Capital One, National Association and the Borrower.
Fees shall mean the Administrative Agent Fees and any other fees payable under the Fee Letter.
FIMBV shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
Financial Officer of any Person shall mean the Chief Financial Officer, principal accounting officer, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer or Controller of such Person.
Financial Performance Covenants shall mean the covenants of the Borrower set forth in Sections 6.10 and 6.11.
FINV shall mean Franks International N.V., a limited liability company organized under the laws of the Netherlands.
Franks International C.V. shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
GAAP shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.02.
Governmental Authority shall mean any federal, state, provincial, local or foreign court or governmental agency, authority, instrumentality or regulatory or legislative body.
Guarantee of or by any Person (the guarantor ) shall mean (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person (the primary obligor ) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, by
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agreement to keep well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take or pay or otherwise) or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment of such Indebtedness, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness, (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the holders of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such holders against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part) or (v) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness, or (b) any Lien on any assets of the guarantor securing any Indebtedness (or any existing right, contingent or otherwise, of the holder of Indebtedness to be secured by such a Lien) of any other Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the guarantor; provided, however , 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 in effect on the Closing Date or entered into in connection with any acquisition or disposition of assets permitted under this Agreement.
Guaranty Agreement shall mean the Guaranty Agreement, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, substantially in the form of Exhibit E , among the Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent, and any other guarantee that may be executed after the Closing Date in favor of, and in form and substance acceptable to, the Administrative Agent.
Hazardous Materials shall mean all pollutants, contaminants, wastes, chemicals, materials, substances and constituents, including explosive or radioactive substances or petroleum or petroleum distillates or breakdown constituents, friable asbestos or friable asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls or radon gas, of any nature, in each case subject to regulation pursuant to, or which can give rise to liability under, any Environmental Law.
Highest Lawful Rate shall means, with respect to each Lender, the maximum nonusurious interest rate, if any, that at any time or from time to time may be contracted for, taken, reserved, charged or received on the Notes or on other Obligations under laws applicable to such Lender which are presently in effect or, to the extent allowed by law, under such applicable laws which may hereafter be in effect and which allow a higher maximum nonusurious interest rate than applicable laws allow as of the date hereof.
Indebtedness of any Person shall mean, 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 under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property or assets purchased by such Person, (d) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade liabilities and intercompany liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business and maturing within 365 days after the incurrence thereof), (e) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (f) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (g) all payments that such Person would have to make in the event of an early termination, on the date Indebtedness of such Person is being determined, in respect of outstanding Swap Agreements (such payments in respect of any Swap Agreement with a counterparty being calculated subject to and in accordance with any netting provisions in such Swap Agreement), and (h) the principal component of all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (i) as an account party in respect of letters of credit (other than any letters of credit, bank guarantees or similar instrument in respect of which a back-to-back letter of credit has been issued under or permitted by this Agreement) and (ii) in respect of bankers acceptances. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership in which such Person is a general partner, other than to the extent that the instrument or agreement evidencing such Indebtedness expressly limits the liability of such Person in respect thereof.
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Indemnified Taxes shall mean all Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document.
Indemnitee shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.05(b).
Information shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.13(a).
Interest Coverage Ratio shall mean, on any date, the ratio of (a) EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended as of such date to (b) Interest Expense as of such date; provided that to the extent any Asset Disposition or any Asset Acquisition (or any similar transaction or transactions for which a waiver or a consent of the Required Lenders pursuant to Section 6.04 or 6.05 has been obtained) or incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness (excluding normal fluctuations in revolving Indebtedness incurred for working capital purposes) has occurred during the relevant Test Period, the Interest Coverage Ratio shall be determined for the respective Test Period on a Pro Forma Basis for such occurrences.
Interest Election Request shall mean a request by the Borrower to convert or continue a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.07, in substantially the form of Exhibit D .
Interest Expense shall mean, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum of (a) interest expense of such Person for such period on a consolidated basis, including (i) the amortization of debt discounts, (ii) the amortization of all fees (including fees with respect to Swap Agreements) payable in connection with the incurrence of Indebtedness to the extent included in interest expense, (iii) the portion of any payments or accruals with respect to Capital Lease Obligations allocable to interest expense, and (iv) redeemable preferred stock dividend expenses, and (b) capitalized interest of such Person. For purposes of the foregoing, interest expense shall be determined after giving effect to any net payments made or received and costs incurred by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries with respect to Swap Agreements.
Interest Payment Date shall mean (a) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months duration, each day that would have been an Interest Payment Date had successive Interest Periods of three months duration been applicable to such Borrowing and, in addition, the date of any refinancing or conversion of such Borrowing with or to a Borrowing of a different Type and (b) with respect to any ABR Loan, the last Business Day of each calendar quarter.
Interest Period shall mean, as to any Borrowing consisting of a Eurodollar Loan, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing or on the last day of the immediately preceding Interest Period applicable to such Borrowing, as applicable, and ending on the numerically corresponding day (or, if there is no numerically corresponding day, on the last day) in the calendar month that is 1, 2, 3 or 6 months thereafter, as the Borrower may elect, or the date any Eurodollar Borrowing is converted to an ABR Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.07 or repaid or prepaid in accordance with Section 2.09, 2.10 or 2.11; provided that, (a) if any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Loan would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the 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 Revolving Facility Maturity Date. Interest shall accrue from and including the first day of an Interest Period to but excluding the last day of such Interest Period.
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Investment shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.04.
IRS means the United States Internal Revenue Service.
JAMS shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.11(b)(ii).
Lender shall mean each financial institution listed on Schedule 2.01, as well as any Person (other than a natural person) that becomes a Lender hereunder pursuant to Section 9.04.
Leverage Ratio shall mean, on any date, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Funded Debt as of such date to (b) EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended as of such date, all determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that to the extent any Asset Disposition or any Asset Acquisition (or any similar transaction or transactions that require a waiver or a consent of the Required Lenders pursuant to Section 6.04 or Section 6.05) or incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness (excluding normal fluctuations in revolving Indebtedness incurred for working capital purposes) has occurred during the relevant Test Period, the Leverage Ratio shall be determined for the respective Test Period on a Pro Forma Basis for such occurrences.
Lien shall mean, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, hypothecation, pledge, encumbrance, charge or security interest in or on such asset, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset and (c) in the case of securities (other than securities representing an interest in a joint venture that is not a Subsidiary of a Loan Party), any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such securities.
Loan Documents shall mean this Agreement, the Notes and the Guaranty Agreement.
Loan Parties shall mean the Borrower and each Material Subsidiary.
Loans shall mean the Revolving Facility Loans.
Margin Stock shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Regulation U.
Material Adverse Effect shall mean the existence of events and/or conditions that have had or could reasonably be expected to have (i) a materially adverse effect on the business, operations, properties, assets or financial condition of the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, or (ii) a material impairment of the validity or enforceability of, or a material impairment of the material rights, remedies or benefits available to the Lenders or the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document.
Material Indebtedness shall mean Indebtedness (other than Loans and other than Indebtedness owing by a Loan Party pursuant to the Multi-Year Credit Facility) of a Loan Party in an aggregate principal amount exceeding U.S. $30,000,000.
Material Subsidiary shall mean any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a Significant Subsidiary as defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X.
Moodys shall mean Moodys Investors Service, Inc.
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Mosing Family shall mean, collectively, Mosing Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, FWW B.V., a private limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the Netherlands, Ginsoma Family C.V., a limited partnership established under the laws of the Netherlands and each of the persons listed on Exhibit A to the deed of amendment to the articles of association of FINV dated as of August 14, 2013 and each of their Affiliates, Family Members or trusts set up for the benefit of any of the persons listed on such Exhibit.
Multiemployer Plan shall mean a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA and in respect of any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate is an employer as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.
Multi-Year Credit Facility means the revolving credit facility of the Borrower under that certain Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of August 14, 2013, among the Borrower, Amegy Bank National Association, as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto, together with any and all other amendments and supplements thereto.
Multi-Year Credit Facility Maturity Date means the Revolving Facility Maturity Date of the Multi-Year Credit Facility.
Net Income shall mean, 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. Net Proceeds shall mean 100% of the cash proceeds actually received by a Loan Party or any Subsidiary of the Borrower (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or purchase price adjustment receivable or otherwise and including casualty insurance settlements and condemnation awards, but only as and when received) from any loss, damage, destruction or condemnation of, or any sale, transfer or other disposition (including any sale and leaseback of assets) to any Person of any asset or assets of a Loan Party or any such Subsidiary of the Borrower (other than those pursuant to Section 6.05(a), (b), (c), (e), (f), (h), (i), or (j)) net of (i) attorneys fees, accountants fees, investment banking fees, sales commissions, survey costs, title insurance premiums, and related search and recording charges, transfer taxes, deed or mortgage recording taxes, required debt payments and required payments of other obligations relating to the applicable asset and any cash reserve for adjustment in respect of the sale price of such asset established in accordance with GAAP, including without limitation, pension and post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction, other customary expenses and brokerage, consultant and other customary fees actually incurred in connection therewith, and (ii) Taxes paid or payable as a result thereof.
Non-Consenting Lender shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.19(c).
Non-U.S. Lender shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.17(e).
Notes shall mean the promissory notes of the Borrower described in Section 2.09(e) and being substantially in the form of Exhibit G , together with all amendments, modifications, replacements, extensions and rearrangements thereof.
Obligations shall mean (i) all obligations and liabilities of any Loan Party under any Swap Agreement entered into on or after the Closing Date between such Loan Party and any Person that, at the time such obligation was entered into, was a Lender or Affiliate of a Lender hereunder; provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, with respect to any Loan Party that is not an Eligible Contract Participant, the Obligations of such Loan Party shall exclude any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Loan Party and (ii) all amounts owing to any of the Administrative Agent or any Lender pursuant to the
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terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or pursuant to the terms of any Guarantee thereof, including, without limitation, with respect to any Loan, together with the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties under or pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, in each case 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 or any Affiliate thereof of any proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding.
OFAC means the U.S. Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Other Taxes shall mean any and all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property, intangible or mortgage recording taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, the Loan Documents (other than any such Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment, other than an assignment pursuant to Section 2.19(b)).
Participant shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(c)(i).
Participant Register shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(c)(i).
PBGC shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA.
Permitted Business Acquisition shall mean any acquisition of all or substantially all the assets of, or all the Equity Interests (other than directors qualifying shares) in, a Person or division or line of business of a Person, other than such acquisition of, or of the assets or Equity Interests of, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, if (a) such acquisition was not preceded by, or effected pursuant to, an unsolicited or hostile offer, (b) such acquired Person, division or line of business of a Person is, or is engaged in, any business or business activity conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date and any business or business activities incidental or related thereto, or any business or activity that is reasonably similar thereto or a reasonable extension, development or expansion thereof or ancillary thereto, and (c) immediately after giving effect thereto: (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom; (ii) all transactions related thereto shall be consummated in accordance with applicable laws; and (iii) (A) the Leverage Ratio, on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to such acquisition or formation, recomputed as at the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of FINV, is less than 2.00 to 1.00, and, if the total consideration in respect of such acquisition (or acquisitions) exceeds U.S. $30,000,000, the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower to such effect, together with all relevant financial information for such Subsidiary or assets, and (B) any acquired or newly formed Subsidiary of the Borrower shall not be liable for any Indebtedness (except for Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01).
Permitted Liens shall mean those Liens and other encumbrances permitted by Section 6.02.
Permitted Investments shall mean:
(a) direct obligations of the United States or any agency thereof or obligations guaranteed by the United States or any agency thereof, in each case with maturities not exceeding two years;
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(b) time deposit accounts, certificates of deposit and money market deposits maturing within 180 days of the date of acquisition thereof issued by a bank or trust company that is organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof, having capital, surplus and undivided profits in excess of U.S .$250,000,000 and whose long-term debt, or whose parent holding companys long-term debt, is rated A (or such similar equivalent rating or higher) by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization (as defined in Rule 436 under the Securities Act);
(c) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 180 days for underlying securities of the types described in clause (a) above entered into with a bank meeting the qualifications described in clause (b) above;
(d) commercial paper, maturing not more than one year after the date of acquisition, issued by a corporation (other than an Affiliate of the Borrower) organized and in existence under the laws of the United States with a rating at the time as of which any investment therein is made of P-1 (or higher) according to Moodys, or A-1 (or higher) according to S&P;
(e) securities with maturities of two years or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof, and rated at least A by S&P or A-2 by Moodys;
(f) shares of mutual funds whose investment guidelines restrict 95% of such funds investments to those satisfying the provisions of clauses (a) through (e) above;
(g) money market funds that (i) comply with the criteria set forth in Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, (ii) are rated AAA by S&P and Aaa by Moodys and (iii) have portfolio assets of at least U.S. $500,000,000; and
(h) time deposit accounts, certificates of deposit and money market deposits in an aggregate face amount not in excess of 1/2 of 1% of the Consolidated Total Assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, as of the end of the Borrowers most recently completed fiscal year.
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness shall mean any Indebtedness issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund (collectively, to Refinance ), the Indebtedness being Refinanced (or previous refinancings thereof constituting Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness); provided that (a) FINV and its Subsidiaries shall be in compliance, on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, with the Financial Performance Covenants recomputed as at the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of FINV and its Subsidiaries, (b) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness so Refinanced (plus unpaid accrued interest, breakage costs and premium thereon and reasonable transaction expenses with respect thereto), (c) the average life to maturity of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is greater than or equal to that of the Indebtedness being Refinanced, (d) if the Indebtedness being Refinanced is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations under this Agreement, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness shall be subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations on terms at least as favorable to the Lenders, taken as a whole, as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being Refinanced, (e) no Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness shall have different obligors, or greater guarantees or security, than the Indebtedness being Refinanced (other than any after-acquired or established Subsidiary that pursuant to the terms of the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed or replaced would have been required to become an obligor
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thereunder), and (f) if the Indebtedness being Refinanced is secured by any collateral, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness may be secured by such collateral on terms no less favorable in any material respect to the Lenders, taken as a whole, than those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being Refinanced.
Permitted Senior Unsecured Debt shall mean unsecured senior Indebtedness issued by the Borrower and/or a finance company that is an Affiliate of the Borrower (i) the terms of which (1) do not provide for any scheduled repayment, mandatory redemption or sinking fund obligation prior to the date that is 91 days after the Revolving Facility Maturity Date, (2) do not contain covenants that, taken as a whole, are more restrictive than those set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (3) provide for covenants and events of default customary for Indebtedness of a similar nature as such Permitted Senior Unsecured Debt and (ii) in respect of which no Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a guarantor under the Loan Documents is a guarantor; provided that immediately prior to and after giving effect on a Pro Forma Basis to any incurrence of Permitted Senior Unsecured Debt, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom and the Borrower would be in compliance on a Pro Forma Basis with the Financial Performance Covenants as of the most recently completed fiscal quarter for which financial statements are available.
Person shall mean any natural person, corporation, business trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, limited liability company, individual or family trust, or Governmental Authority .
Plan shall mean any employee pension benefit plan subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 or 430 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA and in respect of which any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate is (or if such plan were terminated would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an employer as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.
Platform shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17(b).
primary obligor shall have the meaning given such term in the definition of the term Guarantee.
Prime Rate shall mean for any day, the prime rate of interest per annum published from time to time in the Bonds, Rates & Yields section of The Wall Street Journal or in any successor publication to The Wall Street Journal. Borrower understands that the Prime Rate may not be the best, lowest, or most favored rate, and any representation or warranty in that regard is expressly disclaimed. Borrower acknowledges that (i) if more than one prime rate is published at any time by The Wall Street Journal, the highest of such prime rates shall constitute the Prime Rate hereunder, and (ii) if at any time The Wall Street Journal ceases to publish a prime rate, the Administrative Agent shall have the right to select a substitute rate that the Administrative Agent determines, in the exercise of its reasonable commercial discretion, to be comparable to such prime rate, and the substituted rate as so selected, upon the sending of written notice thereof to Borrower, shall constitute the Prime Rate hereunder. Upon each increase or decrease hereafter in the Prime Rate, the rate of interest upon the unpaid principal balance of the ABR Loans shall be increased or decreased by the same amount as the increase or decrease in the Prime Rate, such increase or decrease to become effective as of the day of each such change in the Prime Rate and without notice to Borrower or any other Person. The Prime Rate is a reference rate and does not necessarily represent the lowest or best rate actually charged to any customer of any Lender. The Lenders may make commercial loans or other loans at rates of interest at, above or below the Prime Rate.
Pro Forma Basis shall mean, as to any Person, for any events as described in clauses (a) and (b) below that occur subsequent to the commencement of a period for which the financial effect of such events is being calculated, and giving effect to the events for which such calculation is being made, such
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calculation as will give pro forma effect to such events as if such events occurred on the first day of the four consecutive fiscal quarter period ended on or before the occurrence of such event (the Reference Period ):
(a) in making any determination of EBITDA on a Pro Forma Basis, pro forma effect shall be given to any Asset Disposition and to any Asset Acquisition (or any similar transaction or transactions that require a waiver or consent of the Required Lenders pursuant to Section 6.04 or 6.05), in each case that occurred during the Reference Period (or, unless the context otherwise requires, occurring during the Reference Period or thereafter and through and including the date upon which the respective Asset Acquisition or Asset Disposition is consummated); and
(b) in making any determination on a Pro Forma Basis, (x) all Indebtedness (including Indebtedness incurred or assumed and for which the financial effect is being calculated, whether incurred under this Agreement or otherwise, but excluding normal fluctuations in revolving Indebtedness incurred for working capital purposes) incurred or permanently repaid during the Reference Period shall be deemed to have been incurred or repaid at the beginning of such period, (y) Interest Expense of such Person attributable to interest on any Indebtedness, for which pro forma effect is being given as provided in preceding clause (x), bearing floating interest rates shall be computed on a pro forma basis as if the rates that would have been in effect during the period for which pro forma effect is being given had been actually in effect during such periods and (z) with respect to distributions made pursuant to Section 6.06(e), pro forma effect shall be given to the decrease in cash and Permitted Investments resulting from such distributions.
Pro forma calculations made pursuant to the definition of the term Pro Forma Basis shall be determined in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and, for any fiscal period ending on or prior to the first anniversary of an Asset Acquisition or Asset Disposition (or any similar transaction or transactions that require a waiver or consent of the Required Lenders pursuant to Section 6.04 or 6.05), may include adjustments to reflect operating expense reductions and other operating improvements or synergies reasonably expected to result from such Asset Acquisition, Asset Disposition or other similar transaction, to the extent that the Borrower delivers to the Administrative Agent (i) a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower setting forth such operating expense reductions and other operating improvements or synergies and (ii) information and calculations supporting in reasonable detail such estimated operating expense reductions and other operating improvements or synergies.
Projections shall mean the projections and any forward-looking statements (including statements with respect to booked business) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries furnished to the Lenders or the Administrative Agent by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries prior to the Closing Date.
Property means any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible.
Public Lender shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17(b).
Qualified ECP Credit Party means, with respect to any Benefitting Loan Party in respect of any Swap Obligation, each Loan Party that, at the time of the guarantee by such Benefitting Loan Party of such Swap Obligation is entered into or becomes effective with respect to, or at any other time such Benefitting Loan Party is by virtue of such guarantee deemed to enter into, such Swap Obligation, constitutes an Eligible Contract Participant and can cause such Benefitting Loan Party to qualify as an Eligible Contract Participant at such time by entering into a keepwell under Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
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Reference Period shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term Pro Forma Basis.
Refinance shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, and Refinanced shall have a meaning correlative thereto.
Register shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b)(iv).
Regulation D shall mean Regulation D of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.
Regulation U shall mean Regulation U of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.
Regulation X shall mean Regulation X of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.
Related Parties shall mean, with respect to any specified Person, such Persons Affiliates and the respective partners, directors, officers, employees, members, managers and agents of such Person and such Persons Affiliates.
Release shall mean any placing, spilling, leaking, seepage, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, disposing or depositing in, into or onto the Environment.
Remaining Present Value shall mean, as of any date with respect to any lease, the present value as of such date of the scheduled future lease payments with respect to such lease, determined with a discount rate equal to a market rate of interest for such lease reasonably determined at the time such lease was entered into.
Reportable Event shall mean any reportable event as defined in Section 4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder, other than those events as to which the 30-day notice period has been waived, with respect to a Plan.
Required Lenders shall mean, at any time, Lenders having (a) Loans outstanding, and (b) Available Unused Commitments, that taken together, represent more than 50% of the sum of all (y) Loans outstanding, and (z) the total Available Unused Commitments at such time.
Responsible Officer of any Person shall mean any executive officer, Financial Officer, director, general partner, managing member or sole member of such Person and any other officer or similar official thereof responsible for the administration of the obligations of such Person in respect of this Agreement.
Revolving Facility shall mean the Revolving Facility Commitments and the extensions of credit made hereunder by the Revolving Facility Lenders.
Revolving Facility Borrowing shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Revolving Facility Loans.
Revolving Facility Commitment shall mean, with respect to each Revolving Facility Lender, the commitment of such Revolving Facility Lender to make Eurodollar Loans and ABR Loans pursuant to Section 2.01 representing the maximum aggregate permitted amount of such Revolving Facility Lenders Revolving Facility Credit Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) reduced from
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time to time pursuant to Section 2.08 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender under Section 9.04. The initial amount of each Revolving Facility Lenders Revolving Facility Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01 , or in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which such Revolving Facility Lender shall have assumed its Revolving Facility Commitment, as applicable. The aggregate amount of the Revolving Facility Commitments on the Closing Date is U.S. $100,000,000.
Revolving Facility Credit Exposure shall mean, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Facility Loans outstanding at such time. The Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of any Revolving Facility Lender at any time shall be the aggregate principal amount of such Revolving Facility Lenders Revolving Facility Loans outstanding at such time.
Revolving Facility Lender shall mean a Lender with a Revolving Facility Commitment or with outstanding Revolving Facility Loans.
Revolving Facility Loan shall mean a Loan made to the Borrower by a Revolving Facility Lender pursuant to Section 2.01. Each Revolving Facility Loan shall be a Eurodollar Loan or an ABR Loan.
Revolving Facility Maturity Date shall mean August 13, 2014 (or if such date is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day, unless such Business Day is in the next calendar month, in which case the next preceding Business Day).
Revolving Facility Percentage shall mean, with respect to any Revolving Facility Lender, the percentage of the total Revolving Facility Commitments represented by such Lenders Revolving Facility Commitment. If the Revolving Facility Commitments have terminated or expired, the Revolving Facility Percentages shall be determined based upon the Revolving Facility Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments pursuant to Section 9.04.
S&P shall mean Standard & Poors Ratings Services, Inc., a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Sale and Lease-Back Transaction shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.03.
SEC shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto.
Securities Act shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and any successor statute.
Statutory Reserves shall mean a fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal established by the Board and any other banking authority, domestic or foreign, to which the Administrative Agent or any Lender (including any branch, Affiliate or other fronting office making or holding a Loan) is subject for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as Eurocurrency Liabilities in Regulation D). Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to constitute eurocurrency funding and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to the Administrative Agent or any Lender under such Regulation D or any comparable regulation. Statutory Reserves shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.
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Subordinated Intercompany Debt shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.01(e).
Subsidiary shall mean, with respect to any Person (herein referred to as the parent ), any corporation, partnership, association, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, at the time any determination is being made, directly or indirectly, owned, Controlled or held by such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a Subsidiary or to Subsidiaries shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower.
Supplemental Administrative Agent shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.13(a).
Swap Agreement shall mean any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions, provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Agreement.
Swap Obligation means, with respect to any Loan Party, any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a swap within the meaning of section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act, including any such obligation comprised of a guaranty or a security interest or other Lien.
Swap Provider means any Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender who has entered into a Swap Agreement with Borrower or its Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
Syndication Agent shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
Taxes shall mean any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings (including backup withholding) imposed by any Governmental Authority and any and all additions to tax, interest and penalties related thereto.
Test Period shall mean, at any date of determination, the most recently completed four consecutive fiscal quarters of FINV ending on or prior to such date.
Transactions shall mean, collectively, the transactions to occur on, prior to or immediately after the Closing Date pursuant to the Loan Documents, including (a) the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the initial borrowings hereunder; (b) the execution and delivery of the loan documents pertaining to the Multi-Year Credit Facility; and (c) the payment of all fees and expenses owing in connection with the foregoing.
Trigger Date shall mean the first date of delivery of financial statements after the Closing Date pursuant to Section 5.04(a) or (b).
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Type, when used in respect of any Loan or Borrowing, shall refer to the Rate by reference to which interest on such Loan or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing is determined. For purposes hereof, the term Rate shall include the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate and the Alternate Base Rate.
UCC shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the applicable jurisdiction.
United States means the United States of America.
U.S. Dollars or U.S.$ shall mean the lawful currency of the United States.
U.S.A. PATRIOT Act shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.08(a).
Wholly Owned Subsidiary of any Person shall mean a Subsidiary of such Person, all of the Equity Interests of which (other than directors qualifying shares or nominee or other similar shares required pursuant to applicable law) are owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person or any other Wholly Owned Subsidiary of such Person.
Withholding Agent shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 2.17(a).
Withdrawal Liability shall mean liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.
Section 1.02 Terms Generally . The definitions set forth or referred to in Section 1.01 shall apply equally to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words include, includes and including shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase without limitation. All references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be deemed references to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement unless the context shall otherwise require. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, any reference in this Agreement to any Loan Document shall mean such document as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all financial statements to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis ( GAAP ) and all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time.
Section 1.03 Effectuation of Transfers . Each of the representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in this Agreement (and all corresponding definitions) are made after giving effect to the Transactions, unless the context otherwise requires.
ARTICLE II
THE CREDITS
Section 2.01 Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Revolving Facility Lender agrees to make Revolving Facility Loans, in each case from time to time during the Availability Period, comprised of Eurodollar Loans and ABR Loans to the Borrower in U.S. Dollars in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in (i) such Lenders Revolving Facility Credit Exposure exceeding such Lenders Revolving Facility Commitment and (ii) the Revolving Facility Credit Exposure exceeding the total Revolving Facility Commitments. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Facility Loans. The Revolving Facility shall be available as ABR Loans or Eurodollar Loans.
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Section 2.02 Loans and Borrowings . (a) Each Loan to the Borrower shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans of the same Type and in the same currency made by the Revolving Facility Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Revolving Facility Percentages on the date such Loans are made hereunder. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided that the Commitments of the Lenders are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lenders failure to make Loans as required.
(b) Each Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Eurodollar Loans as the Borrower may request in accordance herewith.
(c) At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of the Borrowing Multiple and not less than the Borrowing Minimum. At the time that each ABR Borrowing by the Borrower is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of the Borrowing Multiple and not less than the Borrowing Minimum; provided that an ABR Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused balance of the Revolving Facility Commitments. Borrowings of more than one Type may be outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not at any time be more than a total of five (5) Interest Periods in respect of Borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Facility.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower shall not be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Revolving Facility Maturity Date.
Section 2.03 Requests for Borrowings . To request a Revolving Facility Borrowing, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone (i) in the case of a Borrowing consisting of Eurodollar Loans, not later than 10:00 a.m., Houston, Texas time, three (3) Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing or (ii) in the case of a Borrowing consisting of ABR Loans, not later than 11:00 a.m., Houston, Texas time on the date of such Borrowing. Each such telephonic Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly (but in any event on the same day) by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request signed by the Borrower. Each such telephonic and written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:
(a) the aggregate amount of the requested Borrowing;
(b) the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;
(c) whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing;
(d) in the case of a Borrowing consisting of a Eurodollar Loan, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto; and
(e) the location and number of the Borrowers account to which funds are to be disbursed.
If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified, then the requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Eurodollar Borrowing, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one months duration. Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lenders Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.
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Section 2.04 Reserved .
Section 2.05 Reserved.
Section 2.06 Funding of Borrowings . (a) Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it to the Borrower hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 1:00 p.m., Houston, Texas time, to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders. Each Lender may, at its option, make any Loan available to the Borrower by causing any foreign or domestic branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of such Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrower by promptly crediting the amounts so received, in like funds, to such account of the Borrower as is designated by the Borrower in the Borrowing Request.
(b) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed time of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lenders share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with paragraph (a) of this Section and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand (without duplication) such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation or (ii) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to ABR Loans. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lenders Loan included in such Borrowing.
Section 2.07 Interest Elections . (a) Each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request. Thereafter, the Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section. The Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing.
(b) To make an election pursuant to this Section, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by telephone by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if the Borrower were requesting a Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election. Each such telephonic Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly (but in any event on the same day) by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest Election Request signed by the Borrower.
(c) Each telephonic and written Interest Election Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:
(i) the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);
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(ii) the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;
(iii) whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing; and
(iv) if the resulting Borrowing is a Eurodollar Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election.
If any such Interest Election Request made by the Borrower requests a Eurodollar Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one months duration.
(d) Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender to which such Interest Election Request relates of the details thereof and of such Lenders portion of each resulting Borrowing.
(e) If the Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to one of its Eurodollar Borrowings prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period, the Borrower shall be deemed to have converted such Borrowing to an ABR Borrowing. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the written request (including a request through electronic means) of the Required Lenders (unless such Event of Default is an Event of Default under Section 7.01(h) or (i), in which case no such request shall be required), so notifies the Borrower, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing, (i) no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid, each Eurodollar Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto.
Section 2.08 Termination and Reduction of Commitments . (a) Unless previously terminated, the Revolving Facility Commitments shall terminate on the Revolving Facility Maturity Date.
(b) The Borrower may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, the Revolving Facility Commitments; provided that (i) each reduction of the Revolving Facility Commitments shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of U.S. $1,000,000 and not less than U.S. $5,000,000 (or, if less, the remaining amount of the Revolving Facility Commitments), and (ii) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Revolving Facility Commitments if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Revolving Facility Loans by the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.11, the Revolving Facility Credit Exposure would exceed the total Revolving Facility Commitments .
(c) The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Revolving Facility Commitments under paragraph (b) of this Section at least three (3) Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination of the Revolving Facility Commitments
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delivered by the Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Any termination or reduction of the Revolving Facility Commitments shall be permanent; provided that a notice of termination of Revolving Facility Commitments may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of another credit facility or facilities as specified therein, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Each reduction of the Revolving Facility Commitments shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Revolving Facility Commitments.
Section 2.09 Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt . (a) The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Facility Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Facility Loan on the Revolving Facility Maturity Date; provided , that all Loans shall be paid on such earlier date upon which the maturity of the Loans shall have been accelerated pursuant to Section 7.01.
(b) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.
(c) The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it shall record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder and the Type thereof and the Interest Period (if any) applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable to each Lender hereunder, and (iii) any amount received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lenders share thereof.
(d) The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c) of this Section shall be prima facie evidence absent manifest error of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans made in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(e) Loans made by a Lender shall be evidenced by a promissory note substantially in the form of Exhibit G . The Borrower shall prepare, execute and deliver to each Lender a Note payable to such Lender. Thereafter, the Loans evidenced by such Note and interest thereon shall at all times (including, to the extent requested by any assignee, after assignment pursuant to Section 9.04) be represented by one or more Notes in such form payable to the payee named therein.
Section 2.10 Repayment of Loans . (a) To the extent not previously paid, all Revolving Facility Loans shall be due and payable on the Revolving Facility Maturity Date.
(b) Prior to any repayment of any Revolving Facility Borrowing, the Borrower shall select the Revolving Facility Borrowing or Revolving Facility Borrowings to be repaid and shall notify the Administrative Agent by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of such selection not later than 1:00 p.m., Houston, Texas time, (i) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, one Business Day before the scheduled date of such repayment and (ii) in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, three Business Days before the scheduled date of such repayment. Each repayment of a Revolving Facility Borrowing shall be applied to the Revolving Facility Loans included in the repaid Revolving Facility Borrowing such that each Revolving Facility Lender receives its ratable share of such repayment (based upon the respective Revolving Facility Credit Exposures of the Revolving Facility Lenders at the time of such repayment).
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Section 2.11 Prepayment of Loans . (a) The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay Revolving Facility Loans in whole or in part, without premium or penalty (but subject to Section 2.16), in an aggregate principal amount that is an integral multiple of the Borrowing Multiple and not less than the Borrowing Minimum or, if less, the amount outstanding, subject to prior notice in the form of Exhibit B hereto provided in accordance with Section 2.10(b).
(b) If on any date, the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Revolving Facility Credit Exposure exceeds the aggregate Revolving Facility Commitments of the Lenders on such date, the Borrower shall, as soon as practicable and in any event within two Business Days following such date, prepay the outstanding principal amount of any Revolving Facility Loans together with any interest accrued to the date of such prepayment on the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Facility Loans prepaid. The Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice of any prepayment required under this Section 2.11(b) to the Borrower and the Lenders.
(c) In the event of any termination of all the Revolving Facility Commitments, the Borrower shall, on the date of such termination, repay or prepay all its outstanding Revolving Facility Loans. If as a result of any partial reduction of the Revolving Facility Commitments, the aggregate Revolving Facility Exposure would exceed the aggregate Revolving Facility Commitments of all Revolving Facility Lenders after giving effect thereto, then the Borrower shall, on the date of such reduction, repay or prepay Revolving Facility Loans in an amount sufficient to eliminate such excess.
Section 2.12 Fees.
(a) Reserved.
(b) Reserved.
(c) Reserved.
(d) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Administrative Agent, the fee set forth in the Fee Letter at the times specified therein or such other administrative fee as agreed between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing (such fees, the Administrative Agent Fees ) and to pay all other fees due and payable pursuant to the Fee Letter.
(e) All Fees shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent for distribution, if and as appropriate, among the Lenders. Once paid, none of the Fees shall be refundable under any circumstances.
Section 2.13 Interest. (a) The Borrower shall pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each ABR Loan at the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin.
(b) The Borrower shall pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Eurodollar Loan at the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Eurodollar Loan plus the Applicable Margin.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any principal of or interest on any Loan or any Fees or other amount payable by the Borrower hereunder is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, the Borrower shall pay interest on such overdue amount, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to (x) in the case of overdue principal of any Loan, 2.00% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section or (y) in the case of any other amount, 2.00% plus the rate applicable to ABR Loans with respect to the Revolving Facility in paragraph (a) of this Section; provided that this paragraph (c) shall not apply to any Default or Event of Default that has been waived by the Lenders pursuant to Section 9.08.
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(d) Accrued interest on each Revolving Facility Loan shall be payable by the Borrower in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Revolving Facility Loan upon termination of the Revolving Facility Commitments and upon the Revolving Facility Maturity Date; provided that (x) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section shall be payable on demand, (y) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Revolving Facility Loan (other than a prepayment of an ABR Loan), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (z) in the event of any conversion of any Eurodollar Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Revolving Facility Revolving Facility Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion.
(e) All computations of interest shall be made by the Administrative Agent taking into account the actual number of days occurring in the period for which such interest is payable pursuant to this Section, and (i) if based on the Alternate Base Rate (if based on the Prime Rate), a year of 365 days or 366 days, as the case may be; or (ii) otherwise, on the basis of a year of 360 days.
Section 2.14 Alternate Rate of Interest . If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Borrowing:
(a) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period; or
(b) the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making or maintaining their Loans included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period; then the Administrative Agent shall give written notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (x) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurodollar Borrowing shall be ineffective and such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, and (y) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing or shall be made as a Borrowing bearing interest at such rate as the Required Lenders shall agree adequately reflects the costs to the Revolving Facility Lenders of making the Loans comprising such Borrowing.
Section 2.15 Increased Costs (a) If any Change in Law shall:
(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, FDIC insurance or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate); or
(ii) impose on any Lender or the London interbank market any tax, costs, expenses or other condition affecting this Agreement or Loans made by such Lender or participation therein (except in each case (A) for Indemnified Taxes indemnified pursuant to Section 2.17 and (B) Excluded Taxes);
and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making or maintaining any Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) to the Borrower or to
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reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise) (except in each case (A) for Indemnified Taxes indemnified pursuant to Section 2.17 and (B) Excluded Taxes), then the Borrower will pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered in connection therewith.
(b) If any Lender determines that any Change in Law regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lenders capital or on the capital of such Lenders holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or any of the Loans made by such Lender or as a consequence of the Commitments to make any of the Loans, to a level below that which such Lender or such Lenders holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lenders policies and the policies of such Lenders holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the Borrower shall pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Lenders holding company for any such reduction suffered in connection therewith.
(c) A certificate of a Lender setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or its holding company, as applicable, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.
(d) Promptly after any Lender has determined that it will make a request for increased compensation pursuant to this Section 2.15, such Lender shall notify the Borrower thereof. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lenders right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lenders intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.
Section 2.16 Break Funding Payments . In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the conversion of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Eurodollar Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto or (d) the assignment of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.19, then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event. In the case of a Eurodollar Loan, such loss, cost or expense to any Lender shall be deemed to be the amount determined by such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the principal amount of such Loan had such event not occurred, at the Eurodollar Rate that would have been applicable to such Loan, for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue a Eurodollar Loan, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for such Loan), over (ii) the amount of interest which would accrue on such principal amount for such period at the interest rate which such Lender would bid were it to bid, at the commencement of such period, for deposits in U.S. Dollars of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the Eurodollar market. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.
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Section 2.17 Taxes. (a) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law. If a Loan Party, the Administrative Agent or any other Person acting on behalf of the Administrative Agent in regards to payments hereunder (a Withholding Agent ) shall be required by applicable law to deduct Taxes from such payments, the applicable Withholding Agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions of Indemnified Taxes applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the Administrative Agent or Lender, as applicable, receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions or withholdings for Indemnified Taxes been made, and such Withholding Agent shall timely pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.
(b) In addition, each Loan Party shall pay any Other Taxes payable on account of any obligation of such Loan Party and upon the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, the Loan Documents, to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.
(c) Each Loan Party shall indemnify the Administrative Agent and each Lender, within 30 days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes (other than Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes resulting from gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, and without duplication of any amounts indemnified under Section 2.17(a)) paid by the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as applicable, on or with respect to any payment by or on account of any obligation of such Loan Party under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority; provided however, that a Loan Party shall not be required to make any payment pursuant to this Section 2.17(c) if the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, makes demand for such payment more than 180 days after the earlier of (i) the date on which the relevant Governmental Authority makes written demand upon such Person for payment of such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes, and (ii) the date on which such Person has made payment of such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes (except that, if the Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted giving rise to such claims are retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effort thereof). A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability and setting forth in reasonable detail the basis and calculation for such payment or liability delivered to such Loan Party by a Lender, or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable.
(d) As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by a Loan Party to a Governmental Authority, such Loan Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(e) Each Lender that is not a United States Person as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code (a Non-U.S. Lender ) shall, to the extent it may lawfully do so, deliver
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to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, two copies of U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN (claiming the benefits of an applicable income tax treaty), W-8EXP, W-8IMY (together with any required attachments) or Form W-8ECI, or, in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender claiming exemption from U.S. federal withholding Tax under Section 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code with respect to payments of portfolio interest, a statement substantially in the form of any of Exhibits H-1-4 (as applicable) and a Form W-8BEN, or any subsequent versions thereof or successors thereto, properly completed and duly executed by such Non-U.S. Lender (with any other required forms attached) claiming complete exemption from or a reduced rate of U.S. federal withholding Tax on all payments by the Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Each Lender that is not a Non-U.S. Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, two copies of U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-9, properly completed and duly executed by such Lender, claiming complete exemption (or otherwise establishing an exemption) from U.S. backup withholding on all payments under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Such forms shall be delivered by each Lender, to the extent it may lawfully do so, on or before the date it becomes a party to this Agreement. In addition, each Lender, to the extent it may lawfully do so, shall deliver such forms promptly upon the obsolescence or invalidity of any form previously delivered by such Lender. Each Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at any time it determines that it is no longer in a position to provide any previously delivered certificate to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent (or any other form of certification adopted by the U.S. taxing authorities for such purpose). Without limiting the foregoing, any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax otherwise indemnified against by a Loan Party pursuant to this Section 2.17 with respect to payments under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower or the relevant Governmental Authority (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), to the extent such Lender is legally entitled to do so, at the time or times prescribed by applicable law such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law as may reasonably be requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to permit such payments to be made without such withholding Tax or at a reduced rate; provided that in such Lenders judgment such completion, execution or submission would not materially prejudice such Lender.
(f) If the Administrative Agent or any Lender determines, in good faith and in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by a Loan Party or with respect to which a Loan Party has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.17, it shall pay over such refund to such Loan Party (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by such Loan Party under this Section 2.17 with respect to the Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent or such Lender (including any Taxes imposed with respect to such refund) as is determined by the Administrative Agent or such Lender in good faith and in its sole discretion, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund); provided that such Loan Party, upon the request of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, agrees to repay as soon as reasonably practicable the amount paid over to such Loan Party (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Administrative Agent or such Lender in the event the Administrative Agent or such Lender is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. This paragraph shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent or any Lender to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes which it deems confidential) to the Loan Parties or any other Person.
(g) For purposes of this Section 2.17, the term applicable law includes FATCA.
Section 2.18 Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs . (a) Unless otherwise specified, the Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder
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(whether of principal, interest or fees, or of amounts payable under Section 2.15, 2.16 or 2.17, or otherwise) prior to 1:00 p.m., Houston, Texas time, on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without condition or deduction for any defense, recoupment, set-off or counterclaim. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent to the applicable account designated to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent, except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.05 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension. All payments hereunder of principal or interest in respect of any Loan shall be made in U.S. Dollars. All payments of other amounts due hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made in U.S. Dollars. Any payment required to be made by the Administrative Agent hereunder shall be deemed to have been made by the time required if the Administrative Agent shall, at or before such time, have taken the necessary steps to make such payment in accordance with the regulations or operating procedures of the clearing or settlement system used by the Administrative Agent to make such payment.
(b) If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent from the Borrower to pay fully all amounts of principal, interest and fees then due from the Borrower hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first , towards payment of interest and fees then due from the Borrower hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second , towards payment of principal then due from the Borrower hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal then due to such parties.
(c) If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim, through the application of any proceeds of collateral or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Revolving Facility Loans resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Revolving Facility Loans and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in Revolving Facility Loans of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Revolving Facility Loans; provided that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph (c) shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower or any Loan Party (as to which the provisions of this paragraph (c) shall apply). The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.
(d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment by the Borrower is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and
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may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.
(e) If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.06(b) or 2.18(d), then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lenders obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid.
Section 2.19 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders . (a) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, or if any Loan Party is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or Affiliates, if, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.15 or 2.17, as applicable, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender in any material respect. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.
(b) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, or if any Loan Party is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, and, in each case, such Lender has declined or is unable to designate a different lending office in accordance with Section 2.19(a), or is a Defaulting Lender, then such Loan Party may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04, all its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Section 2.15 or 2.17) and obligations under this Agreement to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) such Loan Party shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld or delayed, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or such Loan Party (in the case of all other amounts), (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.15 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.17, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments and (iv) such assignment does not conflict with applicable law. Nothing in this Section 2.19 shall be deemed to prejudice any rights that any Loan Party may have against any Lender that is a Defaulting Lender.
(c) If any Lender (such Lender, a Non-Consenting Lender ) has failed to consent to a proposed amendment, waiver, discharge or termination which pursuant to the terms of Section 9.08 requires the consent of all of the Lenders affected and with respect to which the Required Lenders shall have granted their consent, then provided no Event of Default then exists, the Borrower shall have the right (unless such Non-Consenting Lender grants such consent) to replace such Non-Consenting Lender
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by requiring such Non-Consenting Lender to assign its Loans and Commitments hereunder to one or more Eligible Assignees, provided that: (i) all Obligations of the Borrower owing to such Non-Consenting Lender being replaced shall be paid in full to such Non-Consenting Lender concurrently with such assignment, and (ii) the replacement Lender shall purchase the foregoing by paying to such Non-Consenting Lender a price equal to the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon. In connection with any such assignment the Borrower, Administrative Agent, such Non-Consenting Lender and the replacement Lender shall otherwise comply with Section 9.04.
Section 2.20 Reserved.
Section 2.21 Illegality. If any Lender reasonably determines that any Change in Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted after the Closing Date that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable lending office to make or maintain any Eurodollar Loans, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent, any obligations of such Lender to make or continue Eurodollar Loans or to convert ABR Borrowings to Eurodollar Borrowings, as the case may be, shall be suspended until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower shall, upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), convert all such Eurodollar Borrowings of such Lender to ABR Borrowings on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Borrowings to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Loans. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.
Section 2.22 Defaulting Lenders . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender , then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:
(a) fees shall cease to accrue on the unfunded portion of the Commitments of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.12(a);
(b) the aggregate principal amount of Loans and Available Unused Commitment of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether all Lenders, Required Lenders or affected Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment or waiver pursuant to Section 9.08); provided that (i) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender which affects such Defaulting Lender differently than other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender, (ii) the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Defaulting Lender and (iii) any amendment that reduces the principal amount of, or rate of interest on, any Loan made by such Defaulting Lender, shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender;
(c) reserved;
(d) reserved; and
(e) Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: (i) first , to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder, (ii) second , as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which that Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, (iii)
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third , to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lenders breach of its obligations under this Agreement, (iv) fourth , so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lenders breach of its obligations under this Agreement and (v) fifth , to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction, provided , with respect to this clause (v), that if such payment is (x) a prepayment of the principal amount of any Loans in respect of which a Defaulting Lender has not funded its participation obligations and (y) made at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 4.01 are satisfied, such payment shall be applied solely to prepay the Loans of, and reimbursement obligations owed to, all non-Defaulting Lenders pro rata prior to being applied to the prepayment of any Loans, or reimbursement obligations owed to, any Defaulting Lender. Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender shall be deemed paid to and redirected by that Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.
(f) In the event that the Administrative Agent and the Borrower each agrees that a Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender, then the Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of the Lenders shall be readjusted to reflect the inclusion of such Lenders Revolving Facility Commitment and on such date such Lender shall purchase at par such of the Loans of the other Lenders as the Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Lender to hold such Loans in accordance with its Revolving Facility Percentage; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lenders having been a Defaulting Lender.
Section 2.23 Reserved.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
The Borrower represents and warrants to each of the Lenders with respect to the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries that:
Section 3.01 Organization; Powers . Each Loan Party (a) is duly organized, validly existing and (if applicable) in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization except for such failure to be in good standing which could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (b) has all requisite power and authority to own its property and assets and to carry on its business as now conducted, (c) is qualified to do business in each jurisdiction where such qualification is required, except where the failure to so qualify could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (d) has the power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under each of the Loan Documents and each other agreement or instrument contemplated thereby to which it is or will be a party and, in the case of the Borrower, to borrow and otherwise obtain credit hereunder. Franks International C.V. is duly formed and entered into as a contract governed by the laws of the Netherlands and, in absence of Franks International C.V. having separate legal personality under the laws of the Netherlands, Franks International Management B.V. acting as its sole general partner is the sole party authorized to act on behalf of Franks International C.V. and shall hold title to any and all assets contributed to or acquired on behalf of Franks International C.V.
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Section 3.02 Authorization . The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower and each Loan Party of each of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and the borrowings hereunder and the Transactions (a) have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate, stockholder, limited liability company or partnership action required to be obtained by the Borrower and such Loan Parties and (b) will not (i) violate (A) any provision of law, statute, rule or regulation, or of the certificate or articles of incorporation or other constitutive documents or by-laws of the Borrower or any such Loan Party, (B) any applicable order of any court or any rule, regulation or order of any Governmental Authority or (C) any provision of any indenture, lease, agreement or other instrument to which the Borrower or any such Loan Party is a party or by which any of them or any of their respective property is or may be bound, (ii) be in conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute (alone or with notice or lapse of time or both) a default under, give rise to a right of or result in any cancellation or acceleration of any right or obligation (including any payment) or to a loss of a material benefit under any such indenture, lease, agreement or other instrument, where any such conflict, violation, breach or default referred to in clause (i) or (ii) of this clause (b), could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, or (c) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon or with respect to any property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired by the Borrower or any such Loan Party, other than the Liens permitted by Section 6.02.
Section 3.03 Enforceability . This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower and constitutes, and each other Loan Document when executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is party thereto will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party enforceable against each such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, subject to (a) the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or other laws affecting creditors rights generally and (b) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
Section 3.04 Governmental Approvals . No action, consent or approval of, registration or filing with or any other action by any Governmental Authority is or will be required in connection with the Transactions except for such consents, authorizations, filings or other actions that have either (i) been made or obtained and are in full force and effect or (ii) are listed on Schedule 3.04 , and (iii) such actions, consents, approvals, registrations or filings, the failure to be obtained or made which could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.05 Financial Statements . There has heretofore been furnished to the Lenders the following (and the following representations and warranties are made with respect thereto):
The unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet of FINV as of December 31, 2012, prepared giving effect to the Transactions as if the Transactions had occurred on such date. Such pro forma consolidated balance sheet (i) was prepared in good faith based on assumptions that are believed by the Borrower to be reasonable as of the Closing Date (it being understood that such assumptions are based on good faith estimates with respect to certain items and that the actual amounts of such items on the Closing Date is subject to variation), (ii) accurately reflects all adjustments necessary to give effect to the Transactions and (iii) presents fairly, in all material respects, the pro forma financial position of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012, as if the Transactions had occurred on such date.
Section 3.06 No Material Adverse Effect . Since December 31, 2012, there has been no event or occurrence which has resulted in, individually or in the aggregate, any Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.07 Title to Properties; Possession Under Leases . (a) The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries have good and valid title to all of their properties and assets, subject solely to
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Permitted Liens and except where the failure to have such title could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries have maintained, in all material respects and in accordance with normal industry practice, all of the machinery, equipment, vehicles, facilities and other tangible personal property now owned or leased by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that is necessary to conduct their business as it is now conducted.
(b) The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries have complied with all obligations under all leases to which it is a party, except where the failure to comply could not have a Material Adverse Effect, and all such leases are in full force and effect, except leases in respect of which the failure to be in full force and effect could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries enjoy peaceful and undisturbed possession under all such leases, other than leases in respect of which the failure to enjoy peaceful and undisturbed possession could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries have good title to or valid leasehold interests (subject to Permitted Liens) in all real property owned by them, except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(d) The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries owns or possesses, or has the right to use or could obtain ownership or possession of or a right to use, on terms not materially adverse to it, all patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names and copyrights necessary for the present conduct of its business, without any known conflict with the rights of others, and free from any burdensome restrictions, except where such conflicts and restrictions could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
(e) Reserved.
(f) Reserved.
(g) Schedule 3.07(g) sets forth as of the Closing Date (i) the name and jurisdiction of incorporation, formation or organization of each Loan Party, (ii) as to each such Subsidiary of Borrower, the percentage of each class of Equity Interests owned by the Borrower or by any such Subsidiary, indicating the ownership thereof, and (iii) the total assets (excluding intangible assets and intercompany investments) of each Loan Party (other than the Borrower) that will execute the Guaranty Agreement as of the Closing Date and the percentage of each such Loan Partys total assets to the Borrowers Consolidated Total Assets.
Section 3.08 Litigation; Compliance with Laws . (a) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.08(a) , there are no actions, suits, investigations or proceedings at law or in equity or by or on behalf of any Governmental Authority or in arbitration now pending against, or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened in writing against or affecting, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any business, property or rights of any such Person (i) as of the Closing Date, that involve any Loan Document or the Transactions or (ii) which individually or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or which could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to materially adversely affect the Transactions. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor any of their Affiliates, is in violation of any laws relating to terrorism or money laundering, including Executive Order No. 13224 on Terrorist Financing, effective September 23, 2001, and the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, Public Law 107-56 (signed into law on October 26, 2001) (the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act ).
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(b) (i) Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of their respective properties or assets is in violation of (nor will the continued operation of their material properties and assets as currently conducted violate) any currently applicable law, rule or regulation or any restriction of record or agreement affecting any material real property nor is the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in default with respect to any judgment, writ, injunction or decree of any Governmental Authority, where such violation or default could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries holds all permits, licenses, registrations, certificates, approvals, consents, clearances and other authorizations from any Governmental Authority required under any currently applicable law, rule or regulation for the operation of its business as presently conducted, except as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.09 Federal Reserve Regulations . (a) Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock.
(b) No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, (i) to purchase or carry Margin Stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock or to refund indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose, or (ii) for any purpose that entails a violation of, or that is inconsistent with, the provisions of the Regulations of the Board, including Regulation U or Regulation X.
Section 3.10 Investment Company Act . Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is an investment company as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Section 3.11 Use of Proceeds . The Borrower will use the proceeds of the Revolving Facility Loans solely for working capital and other general corporate purposes including capital expenditures and to pay fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions.
Section 3.12 Tax Returns. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.12 , each of the Borrower and Borrowers Subsidiaries (i) has timely filed or caused to be timely filed all U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. Tax returns required to have been filed by it and each such Tax return is complete and accurate in all material respects and (ii) has timely paid or caused to be timely paid all Taxes due and payable by it and all other Taxes or assessments, except in each case referred to in clauses (i) or (ii) above, (1) if the failure to comply would not cause a Material Adverse Effect or (2) if the Taxes or assessments are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings in accordance with Section 5.03 and for which the Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries (as the case may be) has set aside on its books adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP.
Section 3.13 No Material Misstatements . (a) All written information (other than the Projections, estimates and information of a general economic nature) (the Information ) concerning the Borrower and Borrowers Subsidiaries, the Transactions and any other transactions contemplated hereby prepared by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and delivered to the Administrative Agent or to the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders in connection with the Transactions or the other transactions contemplated hereby, when taken as a whole, was true and correct in all material respects, as of the date such Information was furnished to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, as the case may be, and as of the Closing Date, and did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact as of any such date or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein not materially misleading in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made.
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(b) The Projections prepared by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its representatives and that have been made available to any Lender or the Administrative Agent in connection with the Transactions or the other transactions contemplated hereby (i) have been prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed by the Borrower to be reasonable as of the date such Projections were furnished to the Lenders (it being recognized by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, however, that projections as to future events are not to be viewed as facts and that results during the period(s) covered by such projections may differ from the projected results and that such differences may be material and that neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries makes any representation that such projections will be realized), and (ii) as of the Closing Date, have not been modified in any material respect by the Borrower.
Section 3.14 Employee Benefit Plans . (a) Each Plan has been administered in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code (and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder) except for such noncompliance that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other ERISA Events which have occurred or for which liability is reasonably expected to occur, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.15 Environmental Matters . Except as set forth on Schedule 3.15 or for matters that could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect (i) no written notice of a request for information, order, complaint, Environmental Claim or penalty has been received by Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries, and there are no judicial or administrative actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against the Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries which allege a violation of or liability under any Environmental Laws, in each case relating to the Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries, (ii) Borrower and each of Borrowers Subsidiaries have timely applied for, or obtained, and as applicable maintains in full force and effect, all permits, registrations and licenses to the extent necessary for the conduct of its businesses and operations as currently conducted to comply with all Environmental Laws and is, and, within all surviving periods of applicable statutes of limitation, has been, in compliance with the terms and conditions of such permits, registrations and licenses, and with all Environmental Laws, (iii) none of the Borrower nor any of Borrowers Subsidiaries is conducting or funding or known by Borrower to be responsible under Environmental Law for any investigation, remediation, remedial action or cleanup of any Release or threatened Release of Hazardous Materials arising from any of their operations, (iv) there has been no Release or threatened Release of Hazardous Materials at any property currently or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, formerly owned, operated or leased by the Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any liability of the Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries under any Environmental Laws or Environmental Claim against the Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries, and, to the knowledge of Borrower, no Hazardous Material have been transported for disposal to or Released at any location offsite real properties of Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries in a manner that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any liability of the Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries under any Environmental Laws or Environmental Claim against the Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries, (v) none of the Borrower nor any of Borrowers Subsidiaries has entered into any written agreement or contract to assume, guarantee or indemnify a third party for any Environmental Claims, and (vi) to the knowledge of the Borrower, there are not currently and there have not been any underground storage tanks owned or operated by the Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries on the Borrowers or any Borrowers Subsidiarys real property. Representations and warranties of the Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries with respect to environmental matters are limited to those in this Section 3.15.
Section 3.16 Reserved.
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Section 3.17 Reserved.
Section 3.18 Solvency . (a) Immediately after giving effect to the Transactions (i) the fair value of the assets (for the avoidance of doubt, calculated to include goodwill and other intangibles) of the Loan Parties on a consolidated basis, at a fair valuation, will exceed the debts and liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, of the Loan Parties on a consolidated basis; (ii) the present fair saleable value of the property of the Loan Parties on a consolidated basis will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of the Loan Parties on a consolidated basis, on their debts and other liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured; (iii) the Loan Parties on a consolidated basis will be able to pay their debts and liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured; and (iv) the Loan Parties on a consolidated basis will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the businesses in which they are engaged as such businesses are now conducted and are proposed to be conducted following the Closing Date.
(b) The Borrower does not intend to, and does not believe that it nor any of its Subsidiaries will, incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature, taking into account the timing and amounts of cash to be received by it or any such Subsidiary and the timing and amounts of cash to be payable on or in respect of its Indebtedness or the Indebtedness of any such Subsidiary.
Section 3.19 Labor Matters . There are no strikes pending or, to the knowledge of any Responsible Officer of the Borrower, threatened against the Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The hours worked and payments made to employees of the Borrower and Borrowers Subsidiaries have not been in violation in any material respect of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable law dealing with such matters, except where such violation, either individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. All material payments due from the Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries or for which any claim may be made against the Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries, on account of wages and employee health and welfare insurance and other benefits have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of the Borrower or such Subsidiary to the extent required by GAAP. Consummation of the Transactions will not give rise to a right of termination or right of renegotiation on the part of any union under any collective bargaining agreement to which the Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries (or any predecessor) is a party or by which the Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries (or any predecessor) is bound, other than collective bargaining agreements that, individually or in the aggregate, are not material to the Borrower and Borrowers Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
Section 3.20 Insurance. Schedule 3.20 sets forth a true, complete and correct description of all material insurance maintained by or on behalf of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date. As of such date, such insurance is in full force and effect. The Borrower believes that the insurance maintained by or on behalf of it and the Subsidiaries is adequate.
Section 3.21 Status as Senior Debt . The Obligations shall rank pari passu with any other senior Indebtedness or securities of the Borrower and shall constitute senior indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries under and as defined in any documentation documenting any junior indebtedness of the Borrower or the Subsidiaries.
Section 3.22 Material Contracts . Other than as set forth on Schedule 3.22 , as of the Closing Date there are no contracts or agreements to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or that, if terminated or if a default occurs thereunder, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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Section 3.23 Foreign Corrupt Practices . Neither, the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of any Responsible Officer of the Borrower, any director, officer or Affiliate of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a material violation by such Persons of the FCPA, including without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any foreign official (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA; and, the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective Affiliates have conducted their business in material compliance with the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.
Section 3.24 OFAC. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor any director, officer or Affiliate of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is currently subject to any material U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC, and the Borrower will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds from the Loans or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person, for the purpose of financing the activities of any Person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.
ARTICLE IV
CONDITIONS TO CREDIT EVENTS
The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans (a Credit Event ) are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:
Section 4.01 All Credit Events . On the date of each Credit Event (other than a Borrowing on the Closing Date (except with respect to clause (a) below)):
(a) The Administrative Agent shall have received a Borrowing Request as required by Section 2.03.
(b) The representations and warranties set forth in Article III hereof shall be true and correct in all material respects (unless qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in which case the accuracy of such qualified representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of the date of such Credit Event.
(c) At the time of and immediately after such Credit Event no Event of Default or Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
Each Credit Event shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date of such Credit Event as to the matters specified in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this Section 4.01.
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Section 4.02 First Credit Event . On the Closing Date:
(a) The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received from (i) each party hereto either (a) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party or (b) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include telecopy transmission, or electronic transmission of a PDF copy, of a signed signature page of this Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement, (ii) Borrower duly executed Notes payable to the order of each Lender in a principal amount equal to its Revolving Facility Commitment dated as of the Closing Date, and (iii) each party thereto duly executed counterparts (in such number as may be requested by the Administrative Agent) of the Guaranty Agreement.
(b) The Administrative Agent shall have received, on behalf of itself, the Lenders on the Closing Date, favorable written opinions of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., special U.S. counsel for the Loan Parties, Van Campen Liem, special Dutch counsel for Franks International C.V. and Oilfield Equipment Rental B.V., and Orion Law, special British Virgin Islands counsel for Franks International West Africa (BVI) Limited and Franks International (BVI) Limited, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (A) dated the Closing Date, (B) addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and (C) in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and covering such matters relating to the Loan Documents as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request, and each Loan Party hereby instructs its counsel to deliver such opinions.
(c) The Administrative Agent shall have received in the case of each Loan Party each of the following:
(i) a copy of the certificate or articles of incorporation, partnership agreement or limited liability agreement, including all amendments thereto, or other relevant constitutional documents under applicable law of each Loan Party, (A) in case of a company organized under the laws of the Netherlands, issued as a true copy by the relevant civil-law notary, with an excerpt from the trade register in the Netherlands, (B) in the case of any other corporation, certified as of a recent date by the Secretary of State (or other similar official) and a certificate as to the good standing (to the extent such concept or a similar concept exists under the laws of such jurisdiction) of each such Loan Party as of a recent date from such Secretary of State (or other similar official) or (C) in the case of a partnership of or limited liability company, certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary, or the general partner, managing member or sole member, of each such Loan Party; and
(ii) a certificate of the Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Director, President or similar officer or the general partner, managing member or sole member, of each Loan Party, in each case dated the Closing Date and certifying:
(A) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of the by-laws (or partnership agreement, memorandum and articles of association, limited liability company agreement or other equivalent governing documents) of such Loan Party as in effect on the Closing Date and at all times since a date prior to the date of the resolutions described in clause (B) below,
(B) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of resolutions duly adopted by the governing body of such Loan Party (or its managing general partner or managing member) authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which such Person is a party and, in the case of the Borrower, the borrowings hereunder, and that such resolutions have not been modified, rescinded or amended and are in full force and effect on the Closing Date,
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(C) that the certificate or articles of incorporation, partnership agreement or limited liability agreement of such Loan Party has not been amended since the date of the last amendment thereto disclosed pursuant to clause (i) above,
(D) as to the incumbency and specimen signature of each officer or director executing any Loan Document or any other document delivered in connection herewith on behalf of such Loan Party, and
(E) as to the absence of any pending proceeding for the dissolution or liquidation of such Loan Party or, to the knowledge of such Person, threatening the existence of such Loan Party.
(d) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate from a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying that the Borrower has received all governmental and third party consents, licenses, and approvals necessary for the consummation of the Transactions, all of which shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (or a statement that no such governmental or third party consents, licenses or approvals are required).
(e) The Lenders shall have received the financial statements referred to in Section 3.05.
(f) After giving effect to the Transactions, no Loan Party shall have any outstanding preferred equity or Indebtedness other than (i) the Loans and other extensions of credit under this Agreement and (ii) other Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 6.01.
(g) The Lenders shall have received a solvency certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F and signed by the chief financial officer or another Responsible Officer of the Borrower confirming the solvency of the Borrower and the Borrowers Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis after giving effect to the Transactions.
(h) There shall not have occurred since December 31, 2012, any event or condition that has had or would reasonably be expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(i) The Administrative Agent shall have received all fees payable thereto or to any Lender on or prior to the Closing Date and, to the extent invoiced, all other amounts due and payable pursuant to the Loan Documents on or prior to the Closing Date, including, to the extent invoiced, reimbursement or payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses required to be reimbursed or paid by the Loan Parties hereunder or under any Loan Document.
(j) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower as to the matters set forth in clauses (f) and (h) of this Section 4.02.
(k) The Administrative Agent shall have received all documentation and other information required by regulatory authorities with respect to the Borrower and other Loan Parties under applicable know your customer and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation the U.S. PATRIOT Act.
(l) The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence of insurance naming the Administrative Agent as additional insured with customary endorsements on Borrowers liability insurance.
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(m) The Administrative Agent and each Lender shall have completed their due diligence to their satisfaction.
(n) The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence (i) that contemporaneously with the this Agreement becoming effective, Franks International N.V. has closed its initial public offering, (ii) that FINV has contributed to Borrower all of FINVs non-U.S. Subsidiaries and Mosing Holdings, Inc. has contributed all of its U.S. Subsidiaries to Franks International C.V. (excluding certain de minimis Subsidiaries) and Franks International C.V. has issued 100% of its general partnership interest to the Borrower as more fully described in FINVs Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, and (iii) all of Borrowers Indebtedness described in clauses (a) and (b) of the definition of Indebtedness has been repaid in full.
The Administrative Agent is hereby authorized and directed to declare this Agreement effective when the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 have been satisfied to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent or waived as permitted herein. Such declaration shall be final, conclusive and binding upon the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the Lenders for all purposes.
ARTICLE V
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
The Borrower covenants and agrees with each Lender that so long as this Agreement shall remain in effect and until the Commitments have been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan, all Fees and all other expenses or amounts then due and payable under any Loan Document shall have been paid in full, unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing, the Borrower will, and will cause each Subsidiary to:
Section 5.01 Existence; Businesses and Properties . (a) Do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and good standing, except as otherwise expressly permitted under Section 6.05, and except for the liquidation or dissolution of any such Subsidiary if the assets of such Subsidiary to the extent they exceed estimated liabilities are acquired by the Borrower or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower in such liquidation or dissolution.
(b) Do or cause to be done all things necessary to (i) in the Borrowers reasonable business judgment obtain, preserve, renew, extend and keep in full force and effect the permits, franchises, authorizations, patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, licenses and rights with respect thereto necessary to the normal conduct of its business, (ii) comply in all material respects with all material applicable laws, rules, regulations and judgments, writs, injunctions, decrees, permits, licenses and orders of any Governmental Authority, whether now in effect or hereafter enacted and (iii) at all times maintain and preserve all property necessary to the normal conduct of its business and keep such property in good repair, working order and condition and from time to time make, or cause to be made, all needful and proper repairs, renewals, additions, improvements and replacements thereto necessary in order that the business carried on in connection therewith, if any, may be properly conducted at all times (in each case except as expressly permitted by this Agreement); in each case in this paragraph (b) except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.02 Insurance. Keep its insurable properties insured at all times by financially sound and reputable insurers in such amounts as shall be customary for similar businesses and maintain such other reasonable insurance (including, to the extent consistent with past practices, self-insurance), of such types, to such extent and against such risks, as is customary with companies in the
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same or similar businesses and maintain such other insurance as may be required by law or any other Loan Document and cause Administrative Agent to be named as an additional insured on all liability policies.
Section 5.03 Taxes; Payment of Obligations . Pay and discharge promptly when due all material Taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its income or profits or in respect of its property, before the same shall become delinquent or in default, as well as all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies or otherwise that, if unpaid, might give rise to a Lien upon such properties or any part thereof; provided , however , that such payment and discharge shall not be required with respect to any such Tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim to the extent that (i) the validity or amount thereof shall be contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, and the Borrower or the affected Subsidiary of the Borrower, as applicable, shall have set aside on its books reserves in accordance with GAAP with respect thereto, (ii) the aggregate amount of such Taxes, assessments, charges, levies or claims does not exceed U.S. $10,000,000, or (iii) if the failure to pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy such Taxes, assessments, charges, levies or claims obligation could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy at or before maturity or before they become delinquent, as the case may be, the Obligations and all its other material obligations of whatever nature, except where the amount or validity thereof is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and reserves in conformity with GAAP with respect thereto have been provided on the books of the Borrower or the affected Subsidiary of the Borrower or if the failure to pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy such obligation could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.04 Financial Statements, Reports, Etc. . Furnish to the Administrative Agent (which will promptly furnish such information to the Lenders):
(a) as soon as available, but in any event within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each fiscal year of FINV, a consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, cash flows and owners equity showing the financial position of FINV and its Subsidiaries (including the Borrower) as of the close of such fiscal year and the consolidated results of their operations during such year and setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures for the prior fiscal year, all audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or other independent accountants of recognized international standing reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and accompanied by an opinion of such accountants (which shall not be qualified in any material respect) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements fairly present, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations of FINV and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP;
(b) as soon as available, but in any event within forty-five (45) days after the end of each fiscal quarter of FINV, a consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations and cash flows showing the financial position of FINV and its Subsidiaries (including the Borrower) as of the close of such fiscal quarter and the consolidated results of their operations during such fiscal quarter and the then-elapsed portion of the fiscal year and setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures for the corresponding periods of the prior fiscal year, all certified by a Financial Officer of the Borrower, as fairly presenting, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations of FINV and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes);
(c) (x) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under (a) or (b) above, a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower (i) certifying that no Event of Default or Default has occurred or, if such an Event of Default or Default has occurred, specifying the nature and extent thereof and any corrective action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto and (ii) setting forth a
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computation of the Financial Performance Covenants in detail reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (y) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under (a) above, a certificate of its independent accounting firm stating whether they obtained knowledge during the course of their examination of such statements of any Default or Event of Default under Section 6.10 or 6.11 (which certificate may be limited to accounting matters and disclaims responsibility for legal interpretations);
(d) promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other available reports, proxy statements and, to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent, other materials filed by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with the SEC, or distributed to its equityholders generally, if and as applicable;
(e) as soon as available, but in any event within thirty (30) days after the end of each fiscal year of FINV, a summary report as of the end of the prior fiscal year of FINV substantially in the form of the 2012 Summary Guarantor Group report delivered to the Agent and Lenders prior to the Closing Date, showing for each Guarantor on a stand alone basis its tangible assets and EBITDA and the percentage of Consolidated Tangible Assets owned by, and the contribution to EBITDA of, the Guarantors collectively;
(f) promptly, a copy of all reports submitted to the governing body (or any committee thereof) of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any material interim or special audit made by independent accountants of the books of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;
(g) promptly, from time to time, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or compliance with the terms of any Loan Document, or such consolidating financial statements, as in each case the Administrative Agent may reasonably request (for itself or on behalf of any Lender);
(h) promptly upon request by the Administrative Agent, copies of: (i) each Schedule B (Actuarial Information) to the annual report (Form 5500 Series) filed with the Internal Revenue Service with respect to a Plan; (ii) the most recent actuarial valuation report for any Plan; (iii) all notices received from a Multiemployer Plan sponsor or a Plan sponsor or any governmental agency concerning an ERISA Event; and (iv) such other documents or governmental reports or filings relating to any Plan or Multiemployer Plan as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request; and
(i) no later than 90 days following the first day of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a budget for the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries.
Documents required to be delivered pursuant this Section 5.04 may be delivered electronically and, in the case of Sections 5.04(d) shall be deemed to have been delivered if such documents, or one or more annual, quarterly or other reports or filings containing such documents, (i) shall have been posted or provided a link to on FINVs website on the Internet at the website at http://www.franksinternational.com/ , (ii) shall be available on the website of the SEC at http://www.sec.gov or (iii) shall have been posted on FINVs behalf on SyndTrak or another 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).
Section 5.05 Litigation and Other Notices . Furnish to the Administrative Agent written notice of the following promptly after any Responsible Officer of the Borrower or any Subsidiary obtains actual knowledge thereof:
(a) any Event of Default or Default, specifying the nature and extent thereof and the corrective action (if any) proposed to be taken with respect thereto;
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(b) the filing or commencement of, or any written notice of intention of any Person to file or commence, any action, suit or proceeding, whether at law or in equity or by or before any Governmental Authority or in arbitration, against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(c) any other development specific to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect; and
(d) the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.06 Compliance with Laws . Comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property (owned or leased), including ERISA, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; provided that this Section 5.06 shall not apply to Environmental Laws, which are the subject of Section 5.09, or to laws related to Taxes, which are the subject of Section 5.03.
Section 5.07 Maintaining Records; Access to Properties and Inspections . Maintain all financial records in accordance with GAAP and permit any Persons designated by the Administrative Agent or, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, any Lender to visit and inspect the financial records and the properties of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries at reasonable times, upon reasonable prior notice, and as often as reasonably requested and to make extracts from and copies of such financial records, and permit any Persons designated by the Administrative Agent or, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, any Lender upon reasonable prior notice and at such Lenders expense to discuss the affairs, finances and condition of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries with the officers thereof, managing member or sole member thereof, and independent accountants therefor (subject to reasonable requirements of confidentiality, including requirements imposed by law or by contract); provided that, during any calendar year absent the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default, only one (1) visit by the Administrative Agent shall be at the Borrowers expense; provided , further , that when an Event of Default exists, the Administrative Agent or any Lender may do any of the foregoing at the expense of the Borrower.
Section 5.08 Use of Proceeds . Use the proceeds of the Loans solely for the purposes described in Section 3.11.
Section 5.09 Compliance with Environmental Laws . Comply, cause all of the Borrowers Subsidiaries to comply with all Environmental Laws applicable to its business, operations and properties; apply for and, as applicable, obtain and maintain in full force and effect all material authorizations, registrations, licenses and permits required pursuant to Environmental Law for its business, operations and properties; and perform any investigation, remedial action or cleanup required as a result of the Release of any Hazardous Materials as required of Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries pursuant to Environmental Laws except that Borrower and all of the Borrowers Subsidiaries are not required to perform such investigation, remedial action or cleanup to the extent that Borrower reasonably believes in good faith that one or more Persons other than Borrower or Borrowers Subsidiaries is responsible for such performance and Borrower or any of the Borrowers Subsidiaries pursue actions in a timely manner to compel such Persons to conduct such investigation, remedial action or cleanup; and further, except, in each case with respect to this Section 5.09, to the extent the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
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Section 5.10 Further Assurances; Additional Loan Parties . (a) Execute any and all further documents, financing statements, agreements and instruments, and take all such further actions, that may be required under any applicable law, or that the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, all at the expense of the applicable Loan Parties, and provide to the Administrative Agent, from time to time upon reasonable request, evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent as to the compliance of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries with the requirements of the Loan Documents.
(b) At all times the percentage of Borrowers Consolidated Total Assets owned by Loan Parties shall be at least 75% of Borrowers Consolidated Total Assets and the percentage of Borrowers EBITDA attributable to Loan Parties shall be at least 75%. If Borrower forms or acquires any additional direct or indirect Material Subsidiary, within 10 Business Days after the date of formation or acquisition of such Subsidiary, Borrower will cause such Subsidiary to execute a joinder to the Guaranty Agreement and become a Loan Party. If through growth in a Subsidiarys business, or as a result of any conveyance, purchase, assignment, transfer or other acquisition of assets, or otherwise, a Subsidiary which was not previously a Loan Party becomes a Material Subsidiary, Borrower will cause such Subsidiary to execute a joinder to the Guaranty Agreement and become a Loan Party.
(c) In the case of any Loan Party, (i) furnish to the Administrative Agent prompt written notice of any change (A) in such Loan Partys corporate or organization name, or (B) in such Loan Partys identity or organizational structure.
Section 5.11 Fiscal Year. Cause its fiscal year to end on December 31, unless otherwise required by the Code.
ARTICLE VI
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
The Borrower covenants and agrees with each Lender that so long as this Agreement shall remain in effect and until the Commitments have been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all Fees and all other expenses or amounts then due and payable under any Loan Document have been paid in full, unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing, the Borrower will not, and will not cause or permit any Subsidiary to:
Section 6.01 Indebtedness. Incur, create, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:
(a) Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 6.01 (excluding Indebtedness under clause (b) of this Section 6.01) and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness Refinanced with Indebtedness owed to a Person not affiliated with the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower);
(b) Indebtedness created hereunder and under the other Loan Documents;
(c) Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries pursuant to Swap Agreements permitted by Section 6.12;
(d) Indebtedness owed to (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees or similar instruments for the benefit of) any Person providing workers compensation, health,
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disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to reimbursement or indemnification obligations to such Person; provided that upon the incurrence of Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement obligations regarding workers compensation claims, such obligations are reimbursed not later than 30 days following such incurrence;
(e) Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries owing to the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower to the extent permitted by Section 6.04, provided that such Indebtedness shall be subordinated to the Obligations on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (the Subordinated Intercompany Debt );
(f) Indebtedness in respect of performance bonds, warranty bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds, surety bonds, labor bonds and completion or performance guarantees and similar obligations, in each case provided in the ordinary course of business, including those incurred to secure health, safety and environmental obligations in the ordinary course of business and Indebtedness arising out of advances on exports, advances on imports, customer prepayments and similar transactions in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice;
(g) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business or other cash management services in the ordinary course of business, provided that (x) such Indebtedness (other than credit or purchase cards) is extinguished within five Business Days of its incurrence and (y) such Indebtedness in respect of credit or purchase cards is extinguished within 60 days from its incurrence;
(h) (i) Indebtedness of a Subsidiary acquired after the Closing Date or a Person merged into, amalgamated or consolidated with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries after the Closing Date and Indebtedness assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets, which Indebtedness in each case, exists at the time of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation and is not created in contemplation of such event and where such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation is permitted by this Agreement and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness, provided that, solely with respect to a Person being merged into, amalgamated or consolidated with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and Indebtedness being assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets, the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness at the time of, and after giving effect to, such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation, such assumption or such incurrence, as applicable would not exceed U.S. $30,000,000;
(i) Capital Lease Obligations and purchase money Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries prior to or within 90 days after the acquisition, lease or improvement of the respective asset permitted under this Agreement in order to finance such acquisition, lease or improvement, and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, in an aggregate principal amount that at the time of, and after giving effect to, the incurrence thereof would not exceed U.S. $25,000,000;
(j) Capital Lease Obligations incurred by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction that is permitted under Section 6.03;
(k) other unsecured Indebtedness, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding pursuant to this Section 6.01(k) not to exceed U.S. $50,000,000;
(l) Guarantees (i) by any Loan Party of any Indebtedness of any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary of the Borrower and (ii) by any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party of Indebtedness
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of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; provided that Guarantees by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under this Section 6.01(l) of any other Indebtedness of a Person that is subordinated to other Indebtedness of such Person shall be expressly subordinated to the Obligations on terms consistent with those used, or to be used, for Subordinated Intercompany Debt;
(m) Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price, earn outs or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary of Borrower, other than Guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or a Subsidiary of the Borrower for the purpose of financing such acquisition;
(n) Indebtedness supported by a letter of credit issued pursuant to the Multi-Year Credit Facility, in a principal amount not in excess of the stated amount of such letter of credit;
(o) Indebtedness consisting of Permitted Senior Unsecured Debt in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed U.S. $200,000,000;
(p) Indebtedness of the Loan Parties pursuant to the Multi-Year Credit Facility and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness;
(q) (i) Indebtedness incurred and/or assumed in connection with Section 6.04(j); provided that the aggregate amount of such Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to this Section 6.01(q) shall not exceed U.S. $100,000,000 and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness;
(r) Indebtedness consisting of insurance premium financing arrangements; and
(s) all premium (if any), interest (including post-petition interest), fees, expenses, charges and additional or contingent interest on obligations described in paragraphs (a) through (r) above.
Section 6.02 Liens. Create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or assets (including stock or other securities of any Person, including of any Subsidiaries) at the time owned by it or on any income or revenues or rights in respect of any thereof, except (without duplication):
(a) Liens on property or assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries existing on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 6.02(a) ; provided that such Liens shall secure only those obligations that they secure on the Closing Date (and extensions, renewals and refinancings of such obligations permitted by Section 6.01(a)) and shall not subsequently apply to any other property or assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;
(b) Liens on property or assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries securing Indebtedness owing under the Multi-Year Credit Facility (and extensions, renewals and refinancings of such Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(p)); provided such Liens secure the Obligations on a pari passu basis;
(c) any Lien on any property or asset of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries securing Indebtedness or Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(h), provided that (i) such Lien does not apply to any other property or assets of such Person not securing such Indebtedness at the date of the acquisition of such property or asset (other than after-acquired property subjected to a Lien securing Indebtedness and other obligations incurred prior to such date and which Indebtedness and other obligations are permitted hereunder that require a pledge of after-acquired property, it being
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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), (ii) such Lien is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition and (iii) in the case of a Lien securing Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, such Lien is permitted in accordance with clause (e) of the definition of the term Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;
(d) Liens for Taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or levies not yet delinquent or that are being contested in compliance with Section 5.03;
(e) Liens imposed by law (including, without limitation, Liens in favor of customers for equipment under order or in respect of advances paid in connection therewith) such as landlords, carriers, warehousemens, mechanics, materialmens, repairmens, construction or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations that are not overdue by more than 45 days or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and in respect of which, if applicable, the Borrower or applicable Subsidiary shall have set aside on its books reserves in accordance with GAAP;
(f) (i) pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with the Federal Employers Liability Act or any other workers compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations under U.S. or foreign law and deposits securing liability to insurance carriers under insurance or self-insurance arrangements in respect of such obligations, (ii) pledges and deposits securing liability for reimbursement or indemnification obligations of (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees for the benefit of) insurance carriers providing property, casualty or liability insurance to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and (iii) pledges and deposits securing liability for reimbursement or indemnification obligations in respect of the Existing Letters of Credit;
(g) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts (other than for Indebtedness), leases (other than Capital Lease Obligations), statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, costs of litigation where required by law, performance and return of money bonds, warranty bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, trade contracts, completion or performance guarantees and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business, including those incurred to secure health, safety and environmental obligations in the ordinary course of business;
(h) zoning restrictions, by-laws and other ordinances of Governmental Authorities, easements, trackage rights, leases (other than Capital Lease Obligations), licenses, permits, special assessments, development agreements, deferred services agreements, restrictive covenants, owners association encumbrances, rights-of-way, restrictions on use of real property and other similar encumbrances that do not render title unmarketable and that, in the aggregate, do not interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or would not result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(i) purchase money security interests in equipment or other property or improvements thereto acquired (or, in the case of improvements, constructed) by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (including the interests of vendors and lessors under conditional sale and title retention agreements); provided that (i) such security interests secure Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(i) (including any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof), (ii) such security interests are incurred, and the Indebtedness secured thereby is created, within 90 days after such acquisition (or construction), (iii) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed 100% of the cost of such equipment or other property or improvements at the time of such acquisition (or construction), including transaction costs incurred by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with such acquisition (or
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construction) and (iv) such security interests do not apply to any other property or assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than to accessions to such equipment or other property or improvements); provided further that individual financings of equipment provided by a single lender may be cross-collateralized to other financings of equipment provided solely by such lender;
(j) Liens arising out of capitalized lease transactions permitted under Section 6.03, so long as such Liens attach only to the property sold and being leased in such transaction and any accessions thereto or proceeds thereof and related property;
(k) Liens securing judgments that do not constitute an Event of Default under Section 7.01(j);
(l) reserved;
(m) any interest or title of, or Liens created by, a lessor under any leases or subleases entered into by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, as tenant, in the ordinary course of business;
(n) Liens that are contractual rights of set-off (i) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks or securities intermediaries not given in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness, (ii) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of such Person or (iii) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
(o) Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provision relating to security intermediaries or bankers liens, rights of set-off or similar rights;
(p) reserved;
(q) licenses of intellectual property granted in the ordinary course of business;
(r) 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, machinery or other equipment;
(s) Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement permitted hereunder;
(t) Liens arising from precautionary UCC financing statement filings regarding operating leases entered into by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
(u) Liens securing insurance premium financing arrangements, provided that such Lien is limited to the applicable insurance contracts;
(v) Liens given to a public utility or any Governmental Authority when required by such utility or Governmental Authority in connection with the operations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;
(w) Liens in connection with subdivision agreements, site plan control agreements, development agreements, facilities sharing agreements, cost sharing agreements and other similar agreements in connection with the use of real property;
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(x) Liens in favor of any tenant, occupant or licensee under any lease, occupancy agreement or license with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;
(y) Liens restricting or prohibiting access to or from lands abutting controlled access highways or covenants affecting the use to which lands may be put;
(z) Liens incurred or pledges or deposits made in favor of a Governmental Authority to secure the performance of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under any Environmental Law to which any assets of such Person are subject;
(aa) Liens consisting of minor irregularities in title, boundaries, or other minor survey defects, easements, leases, restrictions, servitudes, licenses, permits, reservations, exceptions, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way, conditions, covenants, mineral or royalty rights or reservations or oil, gas and mineral leases and rights of others in any property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, including rights of eminent domain (including those for streets, roads, bridges, railroads, electric transmission and distribution lines, telegraph and telephone lines, flood control, air rights, water rights, rights of others with respect to navigable waters, sewage and drainage rights) that exist as of the Closing Date or at the time the affected property is acquired, or are granted by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and other similar charges or encumbrances which do not secure the payment of Indebtedness and otherwise do not materially interfere with the occupation, use and enjoyment by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any property in the normal course of business or materially impair the value thereof;
(bb) Liens upon specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of the Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries securing such Persons obligations in respect of bankers acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;
(cc) licenses granted in the ordinary course of business and leases of property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that are not material to the business and operations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; and
(dd) Liens on existing and future cash, U.S. government securities, and letters of credit securing or supporting Swap Agreements.
Section 6.03 Sale and Lease-back Transactions . Enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, with any Person whereby it shall sell or transfer any property, real or personal, used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such property or other property that it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property being sold or transferred (a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction ), provided that a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction shall be permitted so long as at the time the lease in connection therewith is entered into, and after giving effect to the entering into of such lease, the Remaining Present Value of such lease (together with the Remaining Present Value of outstanding leases previously entered into under this Section 6.03) would not exceed U.S. $25,000,000.
Section 6.04 Investments, Loans and Advances . Purchase, hold or acquire (including pursuant to any merger or amalgamation with a Person that is not a Subsidiary immediately prior to such merger) any Equity Interests, evidences of Indebtedness or other securities of, make or permit to exist any loans or advances (other than intercompany current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with the cash management operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, which cash management operations shall not extend to any other Person) to or Guarantees of the obligations of, or make or permit to exist any investment or any other interest (each, an Investment ), in any other Person, except:
(a) Investments (including, but not limited to, Investments in Equity Interests, intercompany loans, and Guarantees of Indebtedness otherwise expressly permitted hereunder) by (i) Loan Parties in Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties in an aggregate amount (valued at the time of the making thereof and without giving effect to any write-downs or write-offs thereof) not to exceed an amount equal to the sum of, without duplication, U.S. $50,000,000 plus any return of capital actually received by the respective investors in respect of investments previously made by them pursuant to this clause 6.04(a)(i) plus, an amount equal to the fair market value of any assets or property that is contributed or transferred from any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to any Loan Party from and after the Closing Date and (ii) Loan Parties in other Loan Parties;
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(b) Permitted Investments and Investments that were Permitted Investments when made;
(c) Investments arising out of the receipt by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of noncash consideration for the sale of assets permitted under Section 6.05;
(d) (i) loans and advances to employees of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries not to exceed U.S. $10,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding (calculated without regard to write-downs or write-offs thereof) and (ii) advances of payroll payments and expenses to employees of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;
(e) accounts receivable arising and trade credit granted in the ordinary course of business and any securities received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors to the extent reasonably necessary in order to prevent or limit loss and any prepayments and other credits to suppliers made in the ordinary course of business;
(f) Swap Agreements permitted pursuant to Section 6.12;
(g) Investments existing on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 6.04 ;
(h) Investments resulting from pledges and deposits referred to in Section 6.02(f), (g) and (dd);
(i) so long as immediately before and after giving effect to such Investment no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, other Investments by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount at any time outstanding (valued at the time of the making thereof, and without giving effect to any write-downs or write-offs thereof or any increases in value thereof) not to exceed the greater of U.S. $100,000,000 and 5.0% of Consolidated Total Assets;
(j) Investments constituting Permitted Business Acquisitions, so long as any Person acquired in connection with such Permitted Business Acquisitions and each of such Persons Subsidiaries guarantees the Obligations to the extent required by Section 5.10;
(k) additional Investments to the extent made with proceeds of Equity Interests of the Borrower or capital contributions;
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(l) Investments (including, but not limited to, Investments in Equity Interests, intercompany loans, and Guarantees of Indebtedness otherwise expressly permitted hereunder) by Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties in any Loan Party or other Subsidiaries;
(m) reserved;
(n) Investments received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of, or settlement of delinquent accounts and disputes with or judgments against, customers and suppliers, in each case in the ordinary course of business;
(o) Investments of a Subsidiary of the Borrower acquired after the Closing Date or of a corporation merged or amalgamated or consolidated into the Borrower or merged or amalgamated into or consolidated with a Subsidiary of the Borrower in accordance with Section 6.05 after the Closing Date to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, merger or consolidation and were in existence on the date of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation; and
(p) Guarantees by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries of operating leases (other than Capital Lease Obligations) or of other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness, in each case entered into by any Subsidiary of the Borrower in the ordinary course of business.
Section 6.05 Mergers, Consolidations, Sales of Assets and Acquisitions . Merge into, amalgamate with or consolidate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into, amalgamate with or consolidate with it, or sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or any part of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired), or issue, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any Equity Interests of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or preferred equity interests of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire (in one transaction or a series of transactions) all or any substantial part of the assets of any other Person, except that this Section shall not prohibit:
(a) (i) the purchase and sale of inventory, supplies, materials and equipment and the purchase and sale of rights or licenses or leases of intellectual property, in each case in the ordinary course of business by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (ii) the sale of any other asset in the ordinary course of business by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (iii) the sale of surplus, obsolete or worn out equipment or other property in the ordinary course of business by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or (iv) the sale of Permitted Investments in the ordinary course of business;
(b) if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (i) the merger or consolidation of any Subsidiary of the Borrower into the Borrower in a transaction in which the Borrower is the surviving entity, (ii) the merger or consolidation of any Subsidiary of the Borrower, including without limitation, any Subsidiary that is a Loan Party, into or with any Loan Party in a transaction in which the surviving or resulting entity is a Loan Party, (iii) the merger, amalgamation or consolidation of any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Loan Party into or with any other Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Loan Party, or (iv) the liquidation, winding up, or dissolution of any Subsidiary of the Borrower if the Borrower determines in good faith that such liquidation, winding up, or dissolution is in the best interests of the Borrower and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders taken as a whole or (v) the change in form of entity of the Borrower or any Subsidiary if the Borrower determines in good faith that such change in form is in the best interests of the Borrower and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders taken as a whole; for the avoidance of doubt it is agreed that each of Franks International Trinidad Unlimited, Franks International Ecuador, C.A. and Franks International Venezuela C.A. shall be permitted to change its form of entity after the Closing Date;
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(c) sales, transfers, leases or other dispositions to the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise); provided that if as a result thereof any Subsidiary not previously a Material Subsidiary becomes a Material Subsidiary, such Subsidiary complies with the provisions of Section 5.10(b);
(d) Sale and Lease-Back Transactions permitted by Section 6.03;
(e) Investments permitted by Section 6.04, Liens permitted by Section 6.02 and dividends permitted by Section 6.06;
(f) the sale of defaulted receivables in the ordinary course of business and not as part of an accounts receivables financing transaction;
(g) sales, transfers, leases or other dispositions of assets not otherwise permitted by this Section 6.05; provided that the aggregate gross proceeds (including noncash proceeds) of any or all assets sold, transferred, leased or otherwise disposed of in reliance upon this paragraph (g) shall not exceed, in any fiscal year of the Borrower, 10.0% of Consolidated Total Assets as of the end of the immediately preceding fiscal year; and provided further that after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred;
(h) any merger or consolidation in connection with a Permitted Business Acquisition, provided that following any such merger or consolidation (i) involving the Borrower the Borrower is the surviving corporation and (ii) involving a Subsidiary, the surviving or resulting entity shall be a Subsidiary;
(i) licensing and cross-licensing arrangements involving any technology or other intellectual property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business; and
(j) abandonment, cancellation or disposition of any intellectual property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 6.05 above, (i) the Borrower may, so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, sell, grant or otherwise issue Equity Interests to members of management of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries of the Borrower pursuant to stock option, stock ownership, stock incentive or similar plans, (ii) no sale, transfer or other disposition of assets shall be permitted by this Section 6.05 (other than sales, transfers, leases or other dispositions to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to paragraph (c) hereof) unless such disposition is for fair market value, (iii) no sale, transfer or other disposition of assets shall be permitted by paragraph (a) or (d) of this Section 6.05 unless such disposition is for at least 51% cash consideration and (iv) no sale, transfer or other disposition of assets in excess of U.S. $10,000,000 shall be permitted by paragraph (g) of this Section 6.05 unless such disposition is for at least 51% cash consideration; provided that for purposes of clauses (iii) and (iv), the amount of any secured Indebtedness or other Indebtedness of a Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Loan Party (as shown on the Borrowers or such Subsidiarys most recent balance sheet or in the notes thereto) that is assumed by the transferee of any such assets shall be deemed to be cash.
Section 6.06 Dividends and Distributions . Declare or pay, directly or indirectly, any dividend or make any other distribution (by reduction of capital or otherwise), whether in cash, property,
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securities or a combination thereof, with respect to any of its Equity Interests (other than dividends and distributions on Equity Interests payable solely by the issuance of additional shares of Equity Interests of the Person paying such dividends or distributions) or directly or indirectly redeem, purchase, retire or otherwise acquire for value any shares of any class of its Equity Interests or set aside any amount for any such purpose; provided, however , that:
(a) the Borrower and any Subsidiary of the Borrower may declare and pay dividends to, repurchase its Equity Interests from, or make other distributions to, the Borrower or any Subsidiary (or, in the case of Subsidiaries that are not Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of the Borrower, to the Borrower or any Subsidiary that is a direct or indirect parent of such Subsidiary and to each other owner of Equity Interests of such Subsidiary on a pro rata basis (or more favorable basis from the perspective of the Borrower or such Subsidiary) based on their relative ownership interests);
(b) the Borrower and each of the Subsidiaries may repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire to finance any such repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value any Equity Interests of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries held by any current or former officer, director, consultant, or employee (or persons holding similar positions or performing similar functions for non corporate entities) of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower or, to the extent such Equity Interests were issued as compensation for services rendered on behalf of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower, pursuant to any equity subscription agreement, stock option agreement, shareholders, members or partnership agreement or similar agreement, plan or arrangement or any Plan and the Borrower and Subsidiaries may declare and pay dividends to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary of the Borrower the proceeds of which are used for such purposes, provided that the aggregate amount of such purchases or redemptions in cash under this paragraph (b) shall not exceed in any fiscal year U.S. $3,000,000 (plus the amount of net proceeds (x) received by the Borrower during such calendar year from sales of Equity Interests of the Borrower to directors, consultants, officers or employees (or persons holding similar positions or performing similar functions for non corporate entities) of the Borrower or any of its Affiliates in connection with permitted employee compensation and incentive arrangements and (y) of any key-man life insurance policies received during such calendar year) which, if not used in any year, may be carried forward to any subsequent calendar year;
(c) noncash repurchases, redemptions or exchanges of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options or exchange of exchangeable shares if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options;
(d) provided no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom, the Borrower may declare and pay dividends or make other distributions from the proceeds of any issuance of Equity Interests permitted to be made under this Agreement;
(e) the Borrower may from time to time declare or make a distribution on or with respect to the Equity Interests of the Borrower during any fiscal quarter provided no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom;
(f) Franks International C.V. may reimburse FIMBV for all costs and expenses incurred by FIMBV that are directly attributable to the operation of Franks International C.V., including costs for engaging third parties such as consultants, attorneys and accountants; and
(g) Franks International C.V. may reimburse FINV for all of its general, administrative, overhead and other indirect costs and expenses, including (i) those costs and expenses attributable to operating as a publicly traded company, (ii) costs of securities offerings, (iii) board of directors compensation and meeting costs, (iv) costs of periodic reports to shareholders, (v) litigation costs and damages arising from litigation, (vi) accounting and legal costs and (vii) franchise taxes.
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Section 6.07 Transactions with Affiliates . (a) Sell or transfer any property or assets to, or purchase or acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transaction with, any of its Affiliates, unless such transaction is upon terms no less favorable in any material respect taken as a whole to the Borrower or applicable Subsidiary than would be obtained in a comparable arms-length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate; provided that this clause (a) shall not apply to the indemnification of directors or officers (or persons holding similar positions or performing similar functions for non-corporate entities) of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in accordance with customary practice.
(b) The foregoing paragraph (a) shall not prohibit, to the extent otherwise permitted under this Agreement,
(i) any issuance of securities, or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment arrangements, stock options, stock ownership plans, including restricted stock plans, stock grants, directed share programs and other equity based plans customarily maintained by similar companies and the granting and performance of registration rights approved by the governing body of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries,
(ii) transactions between or among the Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries or between or among any of the Subsidiaries of the Borrower,
(iii) any indemnification agreement or any similar arrangement entered into with directors, officers, consultants and employees (or persons holding similar positions or performing similar functions for non-corporate entities) of the Borrower or any of its Affiliates in the ordinary course of business and the payment of fees and indemnities to directors, officers, consultants and employees (or persons holding similar positions or performing similar functions for non-corporate entities) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and, to the extent such fees and indemnities are directly attributable to services rendered on behalf of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,
(iv) reserved,
(v) any employment agreement or employee benefit plan entered into by the Borrower or any of its Affiliates in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice and payments pursuant thereto,
(vi) transactions otherwise permitted under Section 6.06 and Investments permitted by Section 6.04; provided that this clause (vi) shall not apply to any Investment, whether direct or indirect, in either (x) Persons that were not Subsidiaries immediately prior to such Investment or (y) Persons that are not Subsidiaries immediately after such Investment,
(vii) reserved,
(viii) reserved,
(ix) the existence of, or the performance by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of its obligations under the terms of any agreement contemplated thereunder to which it is a party as
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of the Closing Date, provided, however, that the existence of, or the performance by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of obligations under any future amendment to any such existing agreement or under any similar agreement entered into after the Closing Date shall only be permitted by this clause (ix) to the extent that the terms of any such amendment or new agreement are not otherwise materially disadvantageous to the Lenders,
(x) transactions with any Affiliate for the purchase or sale of goods, products, parts and services entered into in the ordinary course of business in a manner consistent with past practice,
(xi) any transaction in respect of which the Borrower delivers to the Administrative Agent (for delivery to the Lenders) a letter addressed to a Subsidiary from an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm, in each case of nationally recognized standing that is (A) in the good faith determination of the Borrower qualified to render such letter and (B) reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, which letter states that such transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to the applicable Subsidiary, than would be obtained in a comparable arms-length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate, and
(xii) guarantees of payment or performance by any Loan Party of any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Loan Party in the ordinary course of business.
Section 6.08 Business of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries . Notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, (a) no Subsidiary of the Borrower shall engage at any time in any line of business substantially different from the line of business conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date and any business or business activities incidental or related thereto, or any business or activity that is reasonably similar thereto or a reasonable extension, development or expansion thereof or ancillary thereto and (b) with respect to the Borrower, engage in any business, operations or activity, or hold any material property, other than (i) holding Equity Interests of its Subsidiaries, (ii) issuing, selling and redeeming its own Equity Interests, (iii) paying Taxes, (iv) holding partners meetings, preparing partnership and similar records and other activities required to maintain its separate partnership or other legal structure, (v) preparing reports to, and preparing and making notices to and filings with, Governmental Authorities and to its holders of Equity Interests or Indebtedness, (vi) receiving, and holding proceeds of, dividends and distributions from the its Subsidiaries and distributing the proceeds thereof to the extent not prohibited by Section 6.06, (vii) as necessary to consummate any Permitted Business Acquisition, (viii) guaranteeing Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01, and (ix) other activities related or incidental to any of the foregoing.
Section 6.09 Limitation on Modifications of Indebtedness; Modifications of Certificate of Incorporation, By-laws and Certain Other Agreements; etc .. (a) Amend or modify or grant any waiver or release under or terminate in any manner the articles or certificate of incorporation or by-laws, partnership agreement or limited liability company operating agreement of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case, if such amendment, modification, waiver, release or termination could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(b) (i) Make, or agree or offer to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any payment or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) of or in respect of principal of or interest on Permitted Senior Unsecured Debt or any payment or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any Permitted Senior Unsecured Debt, except for (A) payments of regularly scheduled interest, (B) payments made solely with the proceeds from the issuance of common Equity Interests or from equity contributions, (C) (1) prepayments made with the
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proceeds of any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof or (2) prepayments with the proceeds of any non-cash interest bearing Equity Interests issued for such purchase that are not redeemable prior to the date that is six months following the Revolving Facility Maturity Date and that have terms and covenants no more restrictive in any material respect taken as a whole than the Permitted Senior Unsecured Debt being so refinanced, and (D) any mandatory payments required in respect of Permitted Senior Unsecured Debt in accordance with the terms thereof; or
(ii) Amend or modify, or permit the amendment or modification of, any provision of any Permitted Senior Unsecured Debt or any agreement relating thereto other than amendments or modifications that are not materially adverse to the Lenders.
(c) Enter into any agreement or instrument that by its terms restricts (i) the payment of dividends or distributions or the making of cash advances to a Loan Party by Borrower or a Subsidiary or (ii) the granting of Liens by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders, except, in each case, restrictions existing by reason of:
(A) restrictions imposed by applicable law;
(B) contractual encumbrances or restrictions, such as negative pledge agreements, in effect on the Closing Date under any agreements related to any permitted renewal, extension or refinancing of any Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date that does not expand the scope of any such encumbrance or restriction beyond that in effect on the Closing Date;
(C) any restriction on a Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an agreement entered into for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all the Equity Interests or assets of such Subsidiary pending the closing of such sale or disposition;
(D) customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements applicable to joint ventures entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(E) any restrictions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement to the extent that such restrictions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness;
(F) customary provisions contained in leases or licenses of intellectual property and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(G) customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest;
(H) customary provisions restricting assignment of any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(I) customary restrictions and conditions contained in any agreement relating to the sale of any asset permitted under Section 6.05 pending the consummation of such sale;
(J) in the case of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary after the Closing Date, any agreement in effect at the time such Person so becomes a Subsidiary, so long as such agreement was not entered into in contemplation of such Person becoming such a Subsidiary; or
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(K) restrictions imposed by any Permitted Senior Unsecured Debt that are substantially similar to restrictions set forth in this Agreement and in any case do not restrict the granting of Liens to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders.
(d) change or permit any material change to be made in its accounting and bookkeeping system from that used in prior periods except in accordance with GAAP.
Section 6.10 Leverage Ratio . Beginning with the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2013, for any Test Period, permit the Leverage Ratio on the last day of any fiscal quarter, to be in excess of 2.50:1.00.
Section 6.11 Interest Coverage Ratio . Beginning with the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2013, for any Test Period, permit the Interest Coverage Ratio on the last day of any fiscal quarter to be less than 3.00:1.00.
Section 6.12 Swap Agreements . Enter into any Swap Agreement, other than (a) Swap Agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business to hedge or mitigate risks to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is exposed in the conduct of its business or the management of its liabilities, and (b) Swap Agreements entered into in order to effectively cap, collar or exchange interest rates (from fixed to floating rates, from one floating rate to another floating rate or otherwise) with respect to any interest-bearing liability or investment of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, which in the case of each of clauses (a) and (b) are entered into for bona fide risk mitigation purposes and that are not speculative in nature.
ARTICLE VII
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
Section 7.01 Events of Default . In case of the happening of any of the following events ( Events of Default ):
(a) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by a Loan Party in any Loan Document, or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other instrument furnished in connection with or pursuant to any Loan Document, shall prove to have been false or misleading in any respect material to the Borrowers creditworthiness or to the rights or interests of the Lenders when made or deemed made by such Loan Party;
(b) default shall be made in the payment of any principal of any Loan when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or by acceleration thereof or otherwise;
(c) default shall be made in the payment of any interest on any Loan or in the payment of any Fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in paragraph (b) above) due under any Loan Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of five (5) days;
(d) default shall be made in the due observance or performance by any Loan Party of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 5.01(a) (with respect to the Borrower), 5.05(a), 5.08 or in Article VI;
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(e) default shall be made in the due observance or performance by any Loan Party of any covenant, condition or agreement of such Person contained in any Loan Document (other than those specified in paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) above) and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 60 days after notice thereof from the Administrative Agent or any Lender to the Borrower;
(f) (i) (x) any event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or (y) any Loan Party fails to comply with any of its covenants or agreements under any agreement or instrument relating to any of its Material Indebtedness and such failure enables or permits (with all applicable grace periods having expired) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity or (ii) any Loan Party shall fail to pay the principal of any Material Indebtedness at the stated final maturity thereof; provided that this clause (f) shall not apply to (A) 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 and (B) Indebtedness that is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;
(g) there shall have occurred a Change in Control;
(h) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed in a court of competent jurisdiction seeking (i) relief in respect of any Loan Party, or of a substantial part of the property or assets of any Loan Party, taken as a whole, under Title 11 of the United States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended or any other federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law, (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for any Loan Party or for a substantial part of the property or assets of any Loan Party, taken as a whole, or (iii) the winding-up or liquidation of any Loan Party (except, in the case of any Subsidiary, in a transaction permitted by Section 6.05); and such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for 60 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;
(i) any Loan Party shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking relief under Title 11 of the United States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended, or any other federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or the filing of any petition described in paragraph (h) above, (iii) apply for, request or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for any Loan Party or for a substantial part of the property or assets of any Loan Party, taken as a whole, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;
(j) the failure by any Loan Party to pay one or more final judgments aggregating in excess of U.S. $30,000,000 (net of any amounts which are covered by insurance or bonded), which judgments are not discharged or effectively waived or stayed for a period of 30 consecutive days, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to levy upon assets or properties of any Loan Party to enforce any such judgment;
(k) one or more ERISA Events 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;
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(l) (i) any Loan Document shall for any reason be asserted in writing by any Loan Party not to be a legal, valid and binding obligation of any party thereto, or (ii) the Guarantees by any Loan Party of any of the Obligations shall cease to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms thereof);
(m) (A) any Environmental Claim against any Loan Party or (B) in the absence of any Environmental Claim against any Loan Party, to the knowledge of the Borrower, occurrence of a Release or threatened Release of Hazardous Materials (1) at, under, on or from any real property currently owned, leased or operated by Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries, or (2) to the extent such Release or threatened Release arose from the operations of Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries, or any predecessor of any Loan Party at, under, on or from any real property (x) formerly owned, leased or operated by Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries or any predecessor of any Loan Party, or (y) any property offsite the property of Borrower or any of Borrowers Subsidiaries or any predecessor of any Loan Party to which any Loan Party has sent Hazardous Materials for treatment, storage or disposal, (each, an Environmental Event ) shall have occurred that, when taken together with all other unresolved Environmental Events that have occurred would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(n) an Event of Default (as defined in the Multi-Year Credit Facility) shall occur and be continuing; or
(o) Subsidiaries of FINV, other than the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, account for more than 5% of FINVs Consolidated Total Assets or more than 5% of FINVs Consolidated Net Income;
then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to a Loan Party described in paragraph (h) or (i) above), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, or at the request of the Required Lenders shall, by notice to the Borrower, take any or all of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate forthwith the Commitments, and (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be forthwith due and payable in whole or in part, whereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and any unpaid accrued Fees and all other liabilities of the Borrower accrued hereunder and under any other Loan Document, shall become forthwith due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower, anything contained herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding; and in any event described in paragraph (h) or (i) above, the Commitments shall automatically terminate, the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and any unpaid accrued Fees and all other liabilities of the Borrower accrued hereunder and under any other Loan Document, shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower, anything contained herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding.
ARTICLE VIII
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Section 8.01 Appointment and Authority . (a) Each of the Lenders hereby irrevocably appoints Amegy to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.
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(b) The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, any appointees thereof and the Lenders, and no Loan Party shall have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions.
Section 8.02 Rights as a Lender . Any Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender, and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and the term Lender or Lenders shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include a Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.
Section 8.03 Exculpatory Provisions . The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent:
(a) shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;
(b) shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents), provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law;
(c) shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity;
(d) shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 9.08 and 7.01) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct;
(e) shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or (iv) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent; and
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(f) shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless and until notice describing such Default or Event of Default is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower or a Lender.
Section 8.04 Reliance by Administrative Agent . The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender prior to the making of such Loan. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.
Section 8.05 Delegation of Duties . The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as the Administrative Agent.
Section 8.06 Resignation of the Administrative Agent . The Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders and the Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor with the consent of the Borrower (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) (unless a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, in which event no consent of the Borrower is required), which shall be a financial institution with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such financial institution with an office in the United States. During the Administrative Agent Default Period, the Borrower and the Required Lenders may remove the Administrative Agent subject to the execution and delivery by the Borrower and the Required Lenders of removal and liability release agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, which removal shall be effective upon the acceptance of appointment by a successor as the Administrative Agent. Upon any proposed removal of the Administrative Agent during the Administrative Agent Default Period, the Required Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor with the consent of the Borrower (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) (unless a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, in which event no consent of the Borrower is required), which shall be a financial institution with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such financial institution with an office in the United States. In the case of the resignation of the Administrative Agent, if no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and the Borrower and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (a) the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (b) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender directly, until such time as the Required Lenders and the Borrower appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above in this Section and (c) the Borrower and the Lenders agree
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that in no event shall the retiring Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents advisors or representatives have any liability to the Loan Parties, any Lender or any other Person or entity for damages of any kind, including, without limitation, direct or indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the failure of a successor Administrative Agent to be appointed and to accept such appointment. Upon the acceptance of a successors appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) or removed Administrative Agent, and the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section). The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After the retiring Administrative Agents resignation or removal hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article (including Section 8.12) and Section 9.05 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring or removed Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring or removed Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent.
Section 8.07 Non-Reliance on the Administrative Agent and Other Lenders . Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.
Section 8.08 No Other Duties, Etc .. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Administrative Agent shall not have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as the Administrative Agent or a Lender hereunder.
Section 8.09 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim . In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law or any other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:
(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders and the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.12, 8.12, and 9.05) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and
(b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
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and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, if the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.12, 8.12, and 9.05.
Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.
Section 8.10 Guaranty Matters . Each of the Lenders irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent to release guarantees created by the Loan Documents in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.18; provided that no Default or Event of Default then exists or would, after giving effect to such release, exist and that Borrower is in compliance at all times with the requirements of Section 5.10(b). Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Required Lenders will confirm in writing Administrative Agents authority provided for in the previous sentence.
Section 8.11 Reserved.
Section 8.12 Indemnification . Each Lender agrees (i) to reimburse the Administrative Agent, on demand, in the amount of its pro rata share (based on its Commitments hereunder or if such Commitments shall have expired or been terminated, in accordance with the respective principal amounts of its applicable outstanding Loans owed to it) of any reasonable expenses incurred for the benefit of the Lenders by the Administrative Agent, including reasonable counsel fees and compensation of agents and employees paid for services rendered on behalf of the Lenders, which shall not have been reimbursed by the Borrower within 10 Business Days of written demand therefor and (ii) to indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent and any of its directors, officers, employees or agents, on demand, in the amount of such pro rata share, from and against any and all liabilities, Taxes, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against it in its capacity as Administrative Agent or any of them in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any action taken or omitted by it or any of them under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, to the extent the same shall not have been reimbursed by the Borrower, provided that no Lender shall be liable to the Administrative Agent for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements to the extent found in a final non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted primarily from the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of the Administrative Agent or any of its directors, officers, employees or agents.
Section 8.13 Appointment of Supplemental Administrative Agent . (a) It is the purpose of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents that there shall be no violation of any law of any jurisdiction denying or restricting the right of banking corporations or associations or other institutions to transact business as agent or trustee in such jurisdiction. It is recognized that in case of litigation under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, and in particular in case of the enforcement of any of the Loan Documents, or in case the Administrative Agent deems that by reason of any present or future law of any jurisdiction it may not exercise any of the rights, powers or remedies granted herein or in any of the other Loan Documents or take any other action which may be desirable or necessary in connection therewith, it may be necessary that the Administrative Agent appoint an additional institution as a separate trustee, co-trustee, administrative agent, collateral agent, collateral sub-agent or collateral co-agent (any such additional individual or institution being referred to herein individually as a Supplemental Administrative Agent and collectively as Supplemental Administrative Agents ).
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(b) In the event that the Administrative Agent appoints a Supplemental Administrative Agent, (i) each and every right, power, privilege or duty expressed or intended by this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents to be exercised by or vested in or conveyed to the Administrative Agent shall be exercisable by and vest in such Supplemental Administrative Agent to the extent, and only to the extent, necessary to enable such Supplemental Administrative Agent to exercise such rights, powers and privileges and to perform such duties, and every covenant and obligation contained in the Loan Documents and necessary to the exercise or performance thereof by such Supplemental Administrative Agent shall run to and be enforceable by either the Administrative Agent or such Supplemental Administrative Agent, and (ii) the provisions of this Article and of Section 9.05 that refer to the Administrative Agent shall inure to the benefit of such Supplemental Administrative Agent and all references therein to the Administrative Agent shall be deemed to be references to the Administrative Agent and/or such Supplemental Administrative Agent, as the context may require.
(c) Should any instrument in writing from any Loan Party be required by any Supplemental Administrative Agent so appointed by the Administrative Agent for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to it such rights, powers, privileges and duties, such Loan Party shall execute, acknowledge and deliver any and all such instruments promptly upon request by the Administrative Agent. In case any Supplemental Administrative Agent, or a successor thereto, shall die, become incapable of acting, resign or be removed, all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of such Supplemental Administrative Agent, to the extent permitted by law, shall vest in and be exercised by the Administrative Agent until the appointment of a new Supplemental Administrative Agent.
Section 8.14 Withholding . To the extent required by any applicable law, the Administrative Agent may withhold from any payment to any Lender an amount equivalent to any applicable withholding Tax. If any payment has been made to any Lender by the Administrative Agent without the applicable withholding Tax being withheld from such payment and the Administrative Agent has paid over the applicable withholding Tax to the Internal Revenue Service or any other Governmental Authority, or the Internal Revenue Service or any other Governmental Authority asserts a claim that the Administrative Agent did not properly withhold Tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Lender because the appropriate form was not delivered or was not properly executed or because such Lender failed to notify the Administrative Agent of a change in circumstance which rendered the exemption from, or reduction of, withholding Tax ineffective or for any other reason, such Lender shall indemnify the Administrative Agent fully for all amounts paid, directly or indirectly, by the Administrative Agent as Tax or otherwise, including any penalties or interest and together with all expenses (including legal expenses and out-of-pocket expenses) incurred.
Section 8.15 Enforcement . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the authority to enforce rights and remedies hereunder and under the other Loan Documents against the Loan Parties or any of them shall be vested exclusively in, and all actions and proceedings at law in connection with such enforcement shall be instituted and maintained exclusively by, the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 7.01 for the benefit of all the Lenders; provided , however, that the foregoing shall not prohibit (a) the Administrative Agent from exercising on its own behalf the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as Administrative Agent) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (b) any Lender from exercising setoff rights in accordance with Section 9.06 (subject to the terms of Section 2.18(c)), or (c) any Lender from filing proofs of claim or appearing and filing pleadings on its own behalf during the pendency of a proceeding relative to any Loan Party under any federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law; and provided , further , that if at any time there is no Person acting as the
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Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, then (i) the Required Lenders shall have the rights otherwise ascribed to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 7.01 (ii) in addition to the matters set forth in clauses (b) and (c) of the preceding proviso and subject to Section 2.18(c), any Lender may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, enforce any rights and remedies available to it and as authorized by the Required Lenders.
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 9.01 Notices. (a) Notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:
(i) if to the Borrower, to Franks International C.V., 10260 Westheimer Road, Houston, Texas 77042 attention: Brian D. Baird, fax: (281) 558-2980, e-mail:brian.baird@franksintl.com;
(ii) if to the Administrative Agent, to Amegy at 4400 Post Oak Parkway, Houston, Texas 77027, Attention: Brad Ellis; fax: (713) 561-0345, e-mail: brad.ellis@amegybank.com ; and
(iii) if to any Lender, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified in its Administrative Questionnaire.
(b) Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to service of process, or to notices pursuant to Article II unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender. Each of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided further that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.
(c) All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt if delivered by hand or overnight courier service or sent by telecopy or (to the extent permitted by paragraph (b) above) electronic means prior to 4:00 p.m. (Houston, Texas time) on such date, or on the date five Business Days after dispatch by certified or registered mail if mailed, in each case delivered, sent or mailed (properly addressed) to such party as provided in this Section 9.01 or in accordance with the latest unrevoked direction from such party given in accordance with this Section 9.01.
(d) Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.
Section 9.02 Survival of Agreement . All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Borrower and the other Loan Parties herein, in the other Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments prepared or delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the Lenders and shall survive the making by the Lenders of the Loans and the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents, regardless of any investigation made by such Persons or on their behalf, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any Fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document is outstanding and unpaid and
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so long as the Commitments have not been terminated. Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreements contained herein, indemnification and reimbursement obligations contained herein (including pursuant to Sections 2.15, 2.17 and 9.05) shall survive the payment in full of the principal and interest hereunder and the termination of the Commitments or this Agreement.
Section 9.03 Binding Effect . This Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received copies hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and each Lender and their respective permitted successors and assigns.
Section 9.04 Successors and Assigns . (a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that (i) the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants (to the extent provided in paragraph (c) of this Section), the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and the Indemnitees) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
(b) (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may 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 at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of:
(A) the Borrower; provided that no consent of the Borrower shall be required for an assignment to a Lender or, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any other assignee; and
(B) the Administrative Agent.
(ii) Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:
(A) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lenders Commitment or contemporaneous assignments to related Approved Funds that equal at least U.S. $2,500,000 in the aggregate, the amount of the Commitment and/or Loans, as applicable, of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Acceptance with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than U.S. $5,000,000 and increments of U.S. $1,000,000 in excess thereof unless the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent; provided that no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;
(B) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lenders rights and obligations in respect of the Revolving Facility under this Agreement;
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(C) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Acceptance;
(D) the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire and any other administrative information that the Administrative Agent may reasonably request;
(E) no such assignment shall be made to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates, or a Defaulting Lender; and
(F) notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no such assignment shall be made to a natural person.
For purposes of this Section 9.04(b), the term Approved Fund shall have the following meaning:
Approved Fund shall mean any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course and that is administered or managed by a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.
(iii) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(iv) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender hereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all of the assigning Lenders 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 Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.05). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 9.04 shall not be effective as an assignment hereunder.
(iv) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of, and principal amount (and stated interest) of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the Register ). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
(v) The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a processing and recordation fee in the amount of $3,500; provided , however , that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment. Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Acceptance executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, any administrative information reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, and the processing and recordation fee referred to above (unless waived as set forth above), the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Acceptance and record the information contained therein in the Register. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.
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(c) (i) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a Participant ) in all or a portion of such Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans owing to it); provided that (A) such Lenders obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, (C) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement and (D) such Lender shall maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participants interest in the Loans (or other rights or obligations) held by it (a Participant Register) , which entries shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Lender shall permit Borrower to review the Participant Register and to disclose information in the Participant Register to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Commitments, Loans or other obligations are in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. Any agreement or instrument (oral or written) pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to exercise rights under and to enforce this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided that (x) such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in clause (i) through (vii) of the first proviso to Section 9.08(b) that affects such Participant and (y) no other agreement (oral or written) in respect of the foregoing with respect to such Participant may exist between such Lender and such Participant. Subject to paragraph (c)(ii) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits (and subject to the requirements and limitations) of Sections 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 to the same extent as if it were the Lender from whom it obtained its participation and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.06 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.18(c) as though it were a Lender.
(ii) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.15, 2.16 or 2.17 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 Borrowers prior written consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) and the Borrower may withhold its consent if a Participant would be entitled to require greater payment than the applicable Lender under such Sections. A Participant that would be a Non-U.S.Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.17 to the extent such Participant fails to comply with Section 2.17(e) as though it were a Lender.
(d) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement and its Note, if any, to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank or other central bank, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto, and any such pledgee (other than a pledgee that is the Federal Reserve Bank or another central bank) shall acknowledge in writing that its rights under such pledge are in all respects subject to the limitations applicable to the pledging Lender under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.
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Section 9.05 Expenses; Indemnity . (a) The Borrower agrees to pay all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates in connection with the preparation of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, or by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates in connection with the syndication of the Commitments or the administration of this Agreement or in connection with any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the Transactions hereby contemplated shall be consummated) or incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates or any Lender in connection with the enforcement or protection of their rights in connection with, or any workout or restructuring involving, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, in connection with the Loans made hereunder, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of Thompson & Knight LLP, special counsel for the Administrative Agent, and, in connection with any such enforcement or protection, the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any other counsel; provided , that, absent any conflict of interest the Administrative Agent shall not be entitled to indemnification for the fees, charges or disbursements of more than one counsel in each jurisdiction.
(b) The Borrower agrees to indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an Indemnitee ) against, and to hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including reasonable and documented counsel fees, charges and disbursements, including legal fees and settlement costs, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in any way connected with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto and thereto of their respective obligations hereunder and thereunder or the consummation of the Transactions and the other transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, (ii) the use of the proceeds of the Loans or (iii) any claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether or not the Borrower, Borrowers Subsidiaries or any Indemnitee initiated or is a party thereto, provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined in a final nonappealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee. Subject to and without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, the Borrower agrees to indemnify each Indemnitee against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including reasonable and documented counsel or consultant fees, charges and disbursements, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in any way connected with, or as a result of (A) any Environmental Event or Environmental Claim to the extent related in any way to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any other Loan Party, or (B) any actual or alleged presence, Release or threatened Release of Hazardous Materials (1) at, under, on or from any real property currently owned, leased or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any other Loan Party, or (2) to the extent such presence, Release or threatened Release arose from the operations of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any other Loan Party, or any predecessor of any Loan Party at, under, on or from any real property, (x) formerly owned, leased or operated by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any other Loan Party or any predecessor of any Loan Party, or (y) any property offsite the property of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any other Loan Party or any predecessor of any Loan Party to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any other Loan Party has sent Hazardous Materials for treatment, storage or disposal, provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or any of its Related Parties or would have arisen as against the Indemnitee regardless of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any Borrowings hereunder. In no event shall any Indemnitee be liable to any Loan Party for any consequential, indirect, special or punitive damages. No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed to such unintended recipients by such Indemnitee through
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telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby other than for direct or actual damages resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. The provisions of this Section 9.05 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the expiration of the term of this Agreement, the consummation of the Transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of any of the Obligations, the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Administrative Agent or any Lender. All amounts due under this Section 9.05 shall be payable on written demand therefor accompanied by reasonable documentation with respect to any reimbursement, indemnification or other amount requested.
(c) This Section 9.05 shall not apply to Taxes.
Section 9.06 Right of Set-off . If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender 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) at any time held and other indebtedness at any time owing by such Lender to or for the credit or the account of any Loan Party or any other Subsidiary of Borrower, against any and all obligations of the Loan Parties, now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document held by such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement or such other Loan Document and although the obligations may be unmatured. The rights of each Lender under this Section 9.06 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of set-off) that such Lender may have.
Section 9.07 Applicable Law . THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.
Section 9.08 Waivers; Amendment . (a) No failure or delay of the Administrative Agent or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder or under any Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or consent to any departure by the Borrower or any other Loan Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) below, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice or demand on the Borrower or any other Loan Party in any case shall entitle such Person to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.
(b) Neither this Agreement nor any other Loan Document nor any provision hereof or thereof may be waived, amended or modified except in the case of this Agreement and any other Loan Document, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the Required Lenders (or the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders); provided, however , that no such agreement shall
(i) decrease or forgive the principal amount of, or extend the final maturity of, or decrease the rate of interest on, any Loan without the prior written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby; provided that any amendment to the financial covenant definitions in this Agreement shall not constitute a reduction in the rate of interest for purposes of this clause (i) ,
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(ii) increase or extend the Commitment of any Lender or decrease fees payable to any Lender without the prior written consent of such Lender (it being understood that waivers or modifications of conditions precedent, covenants, Defaults or Events of Defaults shall not constitute an increase in the Commitments of any Lender),
(iii) extend any date on which any scheduled payment of interest on any Loan or any Fees is due, without the prior written consent of each Lender adversely affected thereby,
(iv) amend or modify the provisions of Section 2.18(b) or (c) in a manner that would by its terms alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, without the prior written consent of each Lender adversely affected thereby,
(v) reserved,
(vi) amend or modify the provisions of this Section or the definition of the terms Required Lenders or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the prior written consent of each Lender adversely affected thereby (it being understood that, with the consent of the Required Lenders, additional extensions of credit pursuant to this Agreement may be included in the determination of the Required Lenders on substantially the same basis as the Loans and Commitments are included on the Closing Date),
(vii) release any Loan Party (except in connection with a sale permitted pursuant to Section 6.05) without the prior written consent of each Lender, and
(viii) amend or modify the provisions of Section 4.01 or 4.02;
provided further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent hereunder or under the other Loan Documents without the prior written consent of such Administrative Agent. Each Lender shall be bound by any waiver, amendment or modification authorized by this Section 9.08 and any consent by any Lender pursuant to this Section 9.08 shall bind any assignee of such Lender,
(c) Reserved.
(d) Reserved.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Loan Document may be amended, modified, supplemented or waived with the written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower without the need to obtain the consent of any Lender if such amendment, modification, supplement or waiver is executed and delivered in order to cure an ambiguity, omission, mistake or defect in such Loan Document; provided that in no event will the Administrative Agent be required to substitute its judgment for the judgment of the Lenders or the Required Lenders, and the Administrative Agent may in all circumstances seek the approval of the Required Lenders, the affected Lenders or all Lenders in connection with any such amendment, modification, supplement or waiver.
Section 9.09 Interest Rate Limitation . It is the intention of the parties hereto that each Lender shall conform strictly to usury laws applicable to it. Accordingly, if the transactions contemplated hereby would be usurious as to any Lender under laws applicable to it (including the laws of the United States of America, the State of Texas or any other jurisdiction whose laws may be mandatorily applicable
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to such Lender notwithstanding the other provisions of this Agreement), then, in that event, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any of the Loan Documents or any agreement entered into in connection with or as security for the Notes, it is agreed as follows: (i) the aggregate of all consideration which constitutes interest under law applicable to any Lender that is contracted for, taken, reserved, charged or received by such Lender under any of the Loan Documents or agreements or otherwise in connection with the Notes shall under no circumstances exceed the maximum amount allowed by such applicable law, and any excess shall be canceled automatically and if theretofore paid shall be credited by such Lender on the principal amount of the Obligations (or, to the extent that the principal amount of the Obligations shall have been or would thereby be paid in full, refunded by such Lender to the Borrower); and (ii) in the event that the maturity of the Notes is accelerated by reason of an election of the holder thereof resulting from any Event of Default under this Agreement or otherwise, or in the event of any required or permitted prepayment, then such consideration that constitutes interest under law applicable to any Lender may never include more than the maximum amount allowed by such applicable law, and excess interest, if any, provided for in this Agreement or otherwise shall be canceled automatically by such Lender as of the date of such acceleration or prepayment and, if theretofore paid, shall be credited by such Lender on the principal amount of the Obligations (or, to the extent that the principal amount of the Obligations shall have been or would thereby be paid in full, refunded by such Lender to the Borrower). All sums paid or agreed to be paid to any Lender for the use, forbearance or detention of sums due hereunder shall, to the extent permitted by law applicable to such Lender, be amortized, prorated, allocated and spread throughout the stated term of the Loans evidenced by the Notes until payment in full so that the rate or amount of interest on account of any Loans hereunder does not exceed the maximum amount allowed by such applicable law. If at any time and from time to time (i) the amount of interest payable to any Lender on any date shall be computed at the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to such Lender pursuant to this Section 9.09 and (ii) in respect of any subsequent interest computation period the amount of interest otherwise payable to such Lender would be less than the amount of interest payable to such Lender computed at the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to such Lender, then the amount of interest payable to such Lender in respect of such subsequent interest computation period shall continue to be computed at the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to such Lender until the total amount of interest payable to such Lender shall equal the total amount of interest which would have been payable to such Lender if the total amount of interest had been computed without giving effect to this Section 9.09. To the extent that Chapter 303 of the Texas Finance Code is relevant for the purpose of determining the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to a Lender, such Lender elects to determine the applicable rate ceiling under such Chapter by the weekly ceiling from time to time in effect. Chapter 346 of the Texas Finance Code does not apply to the Borrowers obligations hereunder.
Section 9.10 Entire Agreement . This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the agreements regarding certain Fees referred to herein constitute the entire contract between the parties relative to the subject matter hereof. Any previous agreement among or representations from the parties or their Affiliates with respect to the subject matter hereof is superseded by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Fee Letter shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and remain in full force and effect. Nothing in this Agreement or in the other Loan Documents, expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the parties hereto and thereto any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.
Section 9.11 Waiver of Jury Trial . (a) EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS. EACH PARTY HERETO (i) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED,
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EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (ii) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, AS APPLICABLE, BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 9.11.
(b) Arbitration.
(i) If a claim, dispute, or controversy arises between us with respect to or arising out of this Agreement or any other Loan Document (all of the foregoing, a Dispute ), and only if a jury trial waiver is not permitted by applicable Law or ruling by a court, any of the parties hereto may require that the Dispute be resolved by binding arbitration before a single arbitrator at the request of any party. By agreeing to arbitrate a Dispute, each party gives up any right that party may have to a jury trial, as well as other rights that party would have in court that are not available or are more limited in arbitration, such as the rights to discovery and to appeal.
(ii) Arbitration shall be commenced by filing a petition with, and in accordance with the applicable arbitration rules of, the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services ( JAMS ) or National Arbitration Forum ( Administrator ) as selected by the initiating party. If the parties agree, arbitration may be commenced by appointment of a licensed attorney who is selected by the parties and who agrees to conduct the arbitration without an Administrator. Disputes include matters (i) relating to a deposit account, application for or denial of credit, enforcement of any of the obligations the parties owe to each other, compliance with applicable laws and/or regulations, performance or services provided under any agreement by any party, (ii) based on or arising from an alleged tort, or (iii) involving any parties employees, agents, Affiliates, or assigns. However, Disputes do not include the validity, enforceability, meaning, or scope of this arbitration provision and such matters may be determined only by a court. If a third party is a party to a Dispute, each party will consent to including the third party in the arbitration proceeding for resolving the Dispute with the third party. Venue for the arbitration proceeding shall be at a location determined by mutual agreement of the parties or, if no agreement, in Houston, Texas.
(iii) After entry of an arbitration order, the non-moving party shall commence arbitration. The moving party shall, at its discretion, also be entitled to commence arbitration but is under no obligation to do so, and the moving party shall not in any way be adversely prejudiced by electing not to commence arbitration. The arbitrator: (i) will hear and rule on appropriate dispositive motions for judgment on the pleadings, for failure to state a claim, or for full or partial summary judgment; (ii) will render a decision and any award applying applicable law; (iii) will give effect to any limitations period in determining any Dispute or defense; (iv) shall enforce the doctrines of compulsory counterclaim, res judicata, and collateral estoppel, if applicable; (v) with regard to motions and the arbitration hearing, shall apply rules of evidence governing civil cases; and (vi) will apply the law of the State of Texas. Filing of a petition for arbitration shall not prevent any party from (x) seeking and obtaining from a court of competent jurisdiction (notwithstanding ongoing arbitration) provisional or ancillary remedies including but not limited to injunctive relief, property preservation orders, foreclosure, eviction, attachment, replevin, garnishment, and/or the appointment of a receiver, (y) pursuing non-judicial foreclosure, or (z) availing itself of any self-help remedies such as setoff and repossession. The exercise of such rights shall not constitute a waiver of the right to submit any Dispute to arbitration.
(iv) Judgment upon an arbitration award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction except that, if the arbitration award exceeds U.S. $4,000,000, any party shall be entitled to a de novo appeal of the award before a panel of three arbitrators. To allow for such
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appeal, if the award (including Administrators, arbitrators, and attorneys fees and costs) exceeds U.S. $4,000,000, the arbitrator will issue a written, reasoned decision supporting the award, including a statement of authority and its application to the Dispute. A request for de novo appeal must be filed with the arbitrator within 30 days following the date of the arbitration award; if such a request is not made within that time period, the arbitration decision shall become final and binding. On appeal, the arbitrators shall review the award de novo, meaning that they shall reach their own findings of fact and conclusions of law rather than deferring in any manner to the original arbitrator. Appeal of an arbitration award shall be pursuant to the rules of the Administrator or, if the Administrator has no such rules, then the JAMS arbitration appellate rules shall apply.
(v) Arbitration under this provision concerns a transaction involving interstate commerce and shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. § 1 et seq. This arbitration provision shall survive any termination, amendment, or expiration of this Agreement. If the terms of this provision vary from the Administrators rules, this arbitration provision shall control.
(c) CLASS ACTION WAIVER . EACH PARTY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO LITIGATE IN COURT OR ARBITRATE ANY CLAIM OR DISPUTE AS A CLASS ACTION, EITHER AS A MEMBER OF A CLASS OR AS A REPRESENTATIVE, OR TO ACT AS A PRIVATE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
(d) Reliance. Each party (i) certifies that no one has represented to such party that the other parties would not seek to enforce jury and class action waivers in the event of suit, and (ii) acknowledges that it and the other parties have been induced to enter into this Agreement by, among other things, the mutual waivers, agreements, and certifications in this section.
Section 9.12 Severability . In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavour in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.
Section 9.13 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one contract, and shall become effective as provided in Section 9.03. Delivery of an executed counterpart to this Agreement by facsimile transmission or an electronic transmission of a PDF copy thereof shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed original. Any such delivery shall be followed promptly by delivery of the manually signed original.
Section 9.14 Headings . Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.
Section 9.15 Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process . (a) Each of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of any Texas State court or federal court of the United States sitting in Houston, Texas, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims
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in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such Texas State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court. The Borrower further irrevocably consents to the service of process in any action or proceeding in such courts by the mailing thereof by any parties thereto by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the Borrower at the address specified for the Loan Parties in Section 9.01. Each of the parties hereto 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 Agreement (other than Section 8.09) shall affect any right that any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents against the Borrower or any Loan Party or their properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.
(b) Each of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents in any Texas State or federal court sitting in Houston, Texas. 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 action or proceeding in any such court.
Section 9.16 Confidentiality . Each of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent agrees that it shall maintain in confidence any information relating to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and their respective Affiliates furnished to it by or on behalf of the Borrower or the other Loan Parties or such Subsidiary or Affiliate (other than information that (x) has become generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by such party in breach of this Agreement, (y) has been independently developed by such Lender or the Administrative Agent without violating this Section 9.16 or (z) was available to such Lender or the Administrative Agent from a third party having, to such Persons actual knowledge, no obligations of confidentiality to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any such Affiliate) and shall not reveal the same other than to its directors, trustees, officers, employees, agents and advisors with a need to know or to any Person that approves or administers the Loans on behalf of such Lender (so long as each such Person shall have been instructed to keep the same confidential in accordance with this Section 9.16), except: (i) to the extent necessary to comply with law or any legal process or the regulatory or supervisory requirements of any Governmental Authority (including bank examiners), the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or of any securities exchange on which securities of the disclosing party or any Affiliate of the disclosing party are listed or traded, (ii) as part of reporting or review procedures to Governmental Authorities (including bank examiners) or the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, (iii) to its parent companies, Affiliates or auditors (so long as each such Person shall have been instructed to keep the same confidential in accordance with this Section 9.16), (iv) in connection with the exercise of any remedies under any Loan Document or in order to enforce its rights under any Loan Document in a legal proceeding, (v) to any prospective assignee of, or prospective Participant in, any of its rights under this Agreement (so long as such Person shall have been instructed to keep the same confidential in accordance with this Section 9.16 or on terms at least as restrictive as those set forth in this Section 9.16) and (vi) to any direct or indirect contractual counterparty in Swap Agreements or such contractual counterpartys professional advisor (so long as each such contractual counterparty agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Section 9.16 or on terms at least as restrictive as those set forth in Section 9.16 and each such professional advisor shall have been instructed to keep the same confidential in accordance with this Section 9.16). If a Lender or the Administrative Agent is requested or required to disclose any such information (other than to its bank examiners and similar regulators, or to internal or external auditors) pursuant to or as required by law or legal process or subpoena to the extent reasonably practicable, it shall give prompt notice thereof to the Borrower so that the Borrower may seek an appropriate protective order and such Lender or the Administrative Agent will cooperate with the Borrower (or the applicable Subsidiary or Affiliate) in seeking such protective order.
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Section 9.17 Communications . (a) Delivery . (i) Each Loan Party hereby agrees that it will use all reasonable efforts to provide to the Administrative Agent all information, documents and other materials that it is obligated to furnish to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Agreement and any other Loan Document, including, without limitation, all notices, requests, financial statements, financial and other reports, certificates and other information materials, but excluding any such communication that (A) relates to a request for a new, or a conversion of an existing, borrowing or other extension of credit (including any election of an interest rate or interest period relating thereto), (B) relates to the payment of any principal or other amount due under this Agreement prior to 4:00 p.m. (Houston, Texas time) on the scheduled date therefor, (C) provides notice of any Default or Event of Default under this Agreement or (D) is required to be delivered to satisfy any condition precedent to the effectiveness of this Agreement and/or any borrowing or other extension of credit hereunder (all such non-excluded communications collectively, the Communications ), by transmitting the Communications in an electronic/soft medium in a format reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent at the address referenced in Section 9.01(a)(ii). Nothing in this Section 9.17 shall prejudice the right of the Administrative Agent or any Lender or any Loan Party to give any notice or other communication pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document in any other manner specified in this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
(ii) Each Lender agrees that notice to it (as provided in the next sentence) specifying that the Communications have been posted to the Platform (as defined below) shall constitute effective delivery of the Communications to such Lender for purposes of the Loan Documents. Each Lender agrees (A) to notify the Administrative Agent in writing (including by electronic communication) from time to time of such Lenders e-mail address to which the foregoing notice may be sent by electronic transmission and (B) that the foregoing notice may be sent to such e-mail address.
(b) Posting . Each Loan Party further agrees that the Administrative Agent may make the Communications available to the Lenders by posting the Communications on Intralinks or a substantially similar electronic transmission system (the Platform ). The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (i) the Administrative Agent will make available to the Lenders materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, Borrower Materials ) by posting the Borrower Materials on the Platform and (ii) certain of the Lenders (each, a Public Lender ) may have personnel who do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Loan Parties or their Affiliates, or the respective securities of any of the foregoing, and who may be engaged in investment and other market-related activities with respect to such Persons securities. The Borrower hereby agrees that it will use commercially reasonable efforts to identify that portion of the Borrower Materials that may be distributed to the Public Lenders and that (w) all such Borrower Materials 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 Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information (although it may be sensitive and proprietary) with respect to the Loan Parties or their Affiliates or their respective 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 Side Information; and (z) the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked PUBLIC as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated Public Side Information. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower shall not be under any obligation to mark any Borrower Materials PUBLIC to the extent the Borrower determines that such Borrower Materials contain material non-public information with respect to the Loan Parties or their Affiliates or their respective securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws.
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(c) Platform. The Platform is provided as is and as available. The Agent Parties (as defined below) do not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the Communications, or the adequacy of the Platform and expressly disclaim liability for errors or omissions in the Communications. No warranty of any kind, express, implied or statutory, including, without limitation, any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of third party rights or freedom from viruses or other code defects, is made by the Administrative Agent Party in connection with the Communications or the Platform. In no event shall the Administrative Agent, any of its Affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents advisors or representatives (collectively, Agent Parties ) have any liability to the Loan Parties or any Lender or any other Person or entity for damages of any kind, including, without limitation, direct or indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of any Loan Partys or the Administrative Agents transmission of communications through the internet, except to the extent the liability of the Administrative Agent Party is found in a final non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted primarily from the Administrative Agent Partys gross negligence or willful misconduct.
Section 9.18 Release of Guarantees . In the event that any Loan Party conveys, sells, leases, assigns, transfers or otherwise disposes of all or any portion of its assets (including the Equity Interests of any of its Subsidiaries) to a Person that is not (and is not required to become) a Loan Party in a transaction not prohibited by the Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall promptly (and the Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to) take such action and execute any such documents as may be reasonably requested by the Borrower and at the Borrowers expense to release any guarantees of the Obligations, by a Person that ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Borrower as a result of a transaction described above. The Guaranty Agreement and the guarantees made therein shall terminate, and each Loan Party shall automatically be released from its obligations thereunder, when all the Obligations are paid in full in cash and all Commitments are terminated (other than contingent indemnification obligations). At such time, the Administrative Agent agrees to take such actions as are reasonably requested by the Borrower at the Borrowers expense to evidence and effectuate such termination and release of the guarantee created by the Guarantee Agreement.
Section 9.19 U.S.A. PATRIOT Act and Similar Legislation . Each Lender hereby notifies each Loan Party that pursuant to the requirements of the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act and similar legislation, as applicable, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Loan Parties, which information includes the name and address of each Loan Party and other information that will allow the Lenders to identify such Loan Party in accordance with such legislation. Each Loan Party agrees to furnish such information promptly upon request of a Lender. Each Lender shall be responsible for satisfying its own requirements in respect of obtaining all such information.
Section 9.20 Judgment . If for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder in one currency into another currency, the parties hereto agree, to the fullest extent that they may effectively do so, that the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Administrative Agent could purchase the first mentioned currency with such other currency at the Administrative Agents principal office in Houston, Texas on the Business Day preceding that on which final judgment is given.
Section 9.21 Reserved .
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Section 9.22 No Fiduciary Duty . The Administrative Agent, each Lender and their respective Affiliates (collectively, solely for purposes of this paragraph, the Lenders ), may have economic interests that conflict with those of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties. The Borrower hereby agrees that subject to applicable law, nothing in the Loan Documents or otherwise will be deemed to create an advisory, fiduciary or agency relationship or fiduciary or other implied duty between the Lenders and the Loan Parties, their equityholders or their Affiliates. The Borrower hereby acknowledges and agrees that (i) the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents are arms-length commercial transactions between the Lenders, on the one hand, and the Loan Parties, on the other, (ii) in connection therewith and with the process leading to such transaction none of the Lenders is acting as the agent or fiduciary of any Loan Party, its management, equityholders, creditors or any other person, (iii) no Lender has assumed an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of any Loan Party with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether any Lender or any of its Affiliates has advised or is currently advising such Loan Party on other matters) or any other obligation to any Loan Party except the obligations expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, (iv) the Borrower and each other Loan Party has consulted its own legal and financial advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate and (v) the Lenders may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower and its Affiliates and no Lender has an obligation to disclose any such interests to the Borrower or its Affiliates. The Borrower further acknowledges and agrees that it is responsible for making its own independent judgment with respect to such transactions and the process leading thereto.
Section 9.23 Application of Funds . After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 7.01 (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable), any amounts received by the Administrative Agent on account of the Obligations shall be applied by the Administrative Agent in the following order:
(a) First , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent) payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such;
(b) Second , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal and interest) payable to the Lenders or an Affiliate of a Lender (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the respective Lenders) arising under the Loan Documents or under any Swap Agreement, ratably among them in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Second payable to them;
(c) Third , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans and interest on other Obligations arising under the Loan Documents, ratably among the Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third payable to them;
(d) Fourth , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans and Obligations referred to in clause (i) of the definition of Obligations owing to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender under any Swap Agreement, ratably among the Lenders (or their Affiliates) in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth held by them; and
(e) Last , the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by law.
Section 9.24 Imaging of Documents . Each Loan Party and each Lender understands and agrees that (a) Administrative Agents document retention policy involves the imaging of executed Loan Documents and the destruction of the paper originals, and (b) each Loan Party and each Lender waives any right that it may have to claim that the imaged copies of the Loan Documents are not originals.
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Section 9.25 Keepwell .
(a) Borrower represents that it is a Qualified ECP Credit Party. Borrower hereby guarantees the payment and performance of all Obligations of each Loan Party (other than the Borrower) and absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time by each Benefitting Loan Party in order for such Benefitting Loan Party to honor its obligations (without giving effect to Section 9.25(b)) under the Guaranty Agreement including obligations with respect to Swap Agreements (provided, however, that Borrower shall only be liable under this Section 9.25(a) for the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering its obligations under this Section 9.25(a), or otherwise under this Agreement or any Loan Document, as it relates to such Benefitting Loan Party, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). The obligations of the Borrower under this Section 9.25(a) shall remain in full force and effect until all Obligations are paid in full to the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and all Swap Providers, and all of the Lenders Commitments are terminated. The Borrower intends that this Section 9.25(a) constitute, and this Section 9.25(a) shall be deemed to constitute, a keepwell, support, or other agreement for the benefit of each Benefitting Loan Party for all purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, Obligations guaranteed by any Loan Party shall exclude all Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to such Loan Party.
[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., acting on behalf of and as sole general partner of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V., as Borrower | ||||
By: |
/s/ Donald Keith Mosing |
|||
Name: | Donald Keith Mosing | |||
Title: | Managing Director |
AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent, Swingline Facility Lender and Issuing Bank | ||||
By: |
/s/ Brad Ellis |
|||
Name: | Brad Ellis | |||
Title: | Senior Vice President |
CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, | ||||
as Syndication Agent and a Lender | ||||
By: |
/s/ Jack G. Legenore |
|||
Name: | Jack G. Legenore | |||
Title: | Senior Vice President |
WHITNEY BANK, | ||||
as a Lender | ||||
By: |
/s/ William Hendrix |
|||
Name: | William Hendrix | |||
Title: | Senior Vice President |
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., | ||||
as a Lender | ||||
By: |
/s/ Rebecca L. Hetzer |
|||
Name: | Rebecca L. Hetzer | |||
Title: | Vice President |
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CITIBANK, N. A., | ||||
as a Lender | ||||
By: |
/s/ John Miller |
|||
Name: | John Miller | |||
Title: | Vice-President |
REGIONS BANK, | ||||
as a Lender | ||||
By: |
/s/ Katie Sandoral |
|||
Name: | Katie Sandoral | |||
Title: | Vice President Commercial Lender |
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., | ||||
as a Lender | ||||
By: |
/s/ Donald Hunt |
|||
Name: | Donald Hunt | |||
Title: | Officer |
BOKF, NA, dba Bank of Texas | ||||
as a Lender | ||||
By: |
/s/ H. Michael Sultanik |
|||
Name: | H. Michael Sultanik | |||
Title: | Senior Vice President |
CADENCE BANK, N.A. | ||||
as a Lender | ||||
By: |
/s/ C. Ross Bartley |
|||
Name: | C. Ross Bartley | |||
Title: | Executive Vice President |
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COMERICA BANK, | ||||
as a Lender | ||||
By: |
/s/ Chad Stephenson |
|||
Name: | Chad Stephenson | |||
Title: | Assistant Vice President |
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EXHIBIT A
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE
This Assignment and Acceptance (the Assignment and Acceptance ) is dated as of the date set forth below (the Effective Date ) and is entered into by and between [Insert name of Assignor] (the Assignor ) and [Insert names of Assignee(s)] (the Assignee[s] ). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement identified below (as may be amended from time to time, the Credit Agreement ), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by [the] [each] Assignee. The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto (the Standard Terms and Conditions ) are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Acceptance as if set forth herein in full.
For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to [the] [each] Assignee, and [the] [each] Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from the Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below (i) all of the Assignors rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of the Assignor under the facility identified below and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender) against any person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as the Assigned Interest ). Such sale and assignment is without recourse to the Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Acceptance, without representation or warranty by the Assignor.
1. | Assignor: |
2. | Assignee[s]: [ and is an Affiliate/Approved Fund of [Identify Lender] or an Eligible Assignee] |
3. | Administrative Agent: Amegy Bank National Association. |
4. |
Credit Agreement: 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of August 14, 2013 among FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., a private limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands ( FIMBV ), acting as sole general partner and on behalf of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V., a limited partnership ( commanditaire vennootschap ) formed and entered into under the laws of The Netherlands ( Franks International C.V. and, FIMBV acting as sole general partner and on behalf of |
A-1
Franks International C.V., the Borrower ), the LENDERS party thereto from time to time, and AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as administrative agent. |
5. | Assigned Interest 1 : |
Facility Assigned |
Aggregate Amount
of Commitment/ Loans for all Lenders |
Amount of
Commitment/Loans Assigned |
Percentage
Assigned of Commitment/ Loans 2 |
|||||
% |
Effective Date: , 20
[TO BE INSERTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR.]
1 | Add additional table for each Assignee. |
2 | Calculate to 9 decimal places and show as a percentage of aggregate Loans of all Lenders in respect of the Facility. |
A-2
The terms set forth in this Assignment and Acceptance are hereby agreed to:
ASSIGNOR [NAME OF ASSIGNOR] | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: |
ASSIGNEE [NAME OF ASSIGNEE] 3 | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: |
Consented to and accepted:
Amegy Bank National Association, as Administrative Agent | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: |
Consented to:
[FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V.,
acting on behalf of and as sole general partner of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V.] 4
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: |
3 | Add additional signature blocks if there is more than one Assignee. |
4 | Consents to be included to the extent required by Section 9.04(b) of the Credit Agreement. |
A-3
ANNEX 1
STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR
ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE
1. Representations and Warranties.
1.1 Assignor . The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest, (ii) the Assigned Interest is free and clear of any Lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim and (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Acceptance and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents, (iii) the financial condition of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.
1.2 Assignee . [The] [Each] Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Acceptance and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it is an Eligible Assignee and otherwise satisfies the requirements, if any, specified in the Credit Agreement that are required to be satisfied by it in order to acquire the Assigned Interest and become a Lender, (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of the Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to acquire assets of the type represented by the Assigned Interest and either it, or the person exercising discretion in making its decision to acquire the Assigned Interest, is experienced in acquiring assets of such type, (v) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.04 thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Acceptance and to purchase the Assigned Interest (which statements, documents and information taken together form the basis upon which [the][each] assignee has made such analysis and investment decision, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent or any other Lender), and (vi) attached to this Assignment and Acceptance is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by [the] [each] Assignee and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, the Assignor 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 the Loan Documents and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.
2. Payments . From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to the Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to [the] [each] Assignee for amounts which have accrued from, after and including the Effective Date.
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3. General Provisions . This Assignment and Acceptance shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment and Acceptance may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Acceptance by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Acceptance; provided , however, that it shall be promptly followed by an original. This Assignment and Acceptance shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of Texas.
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EXHIBIT B
FORM OF PREPAYMENT NOTICE
Amegy Bank National Association as Administrative Agent
for the Lenders referred to below
4400 Post Oak Parkway
Houston, TX 77027
Attention: Brad Ellis
[Date]
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to the 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the Revolving Credit Agreement ) dated as of August 14, 2013 among FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., a private limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands ( FIMBV ), acting as sole general partner and on behalf of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V., a limited partnership ( commanditaire vennootschap ) formed and entered into under the laws of The Netherlands ( Franks International C.V. and, FIMBV acting as sole general partner and on behalf of Franks International C.V., the Borrower ), the LENDERS party thereto from time to time, and AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as administrative agent. Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Revolving Credit Agreement.
The undersigned, FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V., refers to the Revolving Credit Agreement, and hereby gives you notice that, pursuant to Section 2.11 of the Revolving Credit Agreement, the undersigned intends to make a prepayment of a Revolving Facility Borrowing in the amount of $ 5 .
Very truly yours, | ||
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., acting on behalf of and as sole general partner of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V. | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: |
5 | Please provide reasonably detailed calculation of the amount of prepayment. |
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EXHIBIT C-1
FORM OF BORROWING REQUEST
Amegy Bank National Association
as Administrative Agent
for the Lenders referred to below
4400 Post Oak Parkway
Houston, TX 77027
Attention: Brad Ellis
[Date]
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to the 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the Revolving Credit Agreement ) dated as of August 14, 2013 among FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., a private limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands ( FIMBV ), acting as sole general partner and on behalf of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V., a limited partnership ( commanditaire vennootschap ) formed and entered into under the laws of The Netherlands ( Franks International C.V. and, FIMBV acting as sole general partner and on behalf of Franks International C.V., the Borrower ), the LENDERS party thereto from time to time, and AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as administrative agent. Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Revolving Credit Agreement.
This notice constitutes a Borrowing Request of the Borrower and the Borrower hereby requests Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement, and in that connection the Borrower specifies the following information with respect to such Borrowings requested hereby:
(A) | Borrower: |
(B) | Aggregate amount of Borrowing: US$ |
(C) | Date of Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day): |
(D) | Location and number of the Borrowers account or any other account agreed upon by the Administrative Agent: |
We hereby certify that, on and as of the date hereof, no Default or Event of Default has occurred or is continuing and the representations and warranties set forth in Article III of the Revolving Credit Agreement are true and correct in all material respects, with the same effect as though made on the date hereof, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date).
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Very truly yours, | ||
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., acting on behalf of and as sole general partner of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V. | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title |
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EXHIBIT D
RESERVED
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EXHIBIT E
FORM OF GUARANTY AGREEMENT
dated and effective as of
August 14, 2013,
among
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V.
acting as sole general partner and on behalf of
the limited partnership ( commaditaire vennootschap)
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V.,
as Borrower
SUBSIDIARIES OF FRANKS INTERNATIONAL N.V,
as Guarantors,
and
AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Administrative Agent
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||
ARTICLE 1 Definitions |
1 | |||||
Section 1.01 |
Credit Agreement |
1 | ||||
Section 1.02 |
Other Defined Terms |
1 | ||||
ARTICLE 2 Guarantee |
1 | |||||
Section 2.01 |
Guarantee |
1 | ||||
Section 2.02 |
Guarantee of Payment |
2 | ||||
Section 2.03 |
No Limitations, etc. |
2 | ||||
Section 2.04 |
Reinstatement |
3 | ||||
Section 2.05 |
Agreement to Pay; Subrogation |
3 | ||||
Section 2.06 |
Information |
4 | ||||
Section 2.07 |
Reliance; Demands |
4 | ||||
Section 2.08 |
Maximum Liability |
4 | ||||
Section 2.09 |
Payments Free and Clear of Taxes, etc. |
4 | ||||
ARTICLE 3 Reserved |
5 | |||||
ARTICLE 4 Reserved |
5 | |||||
ARTICLE 5 Reserved |
5 | |||||
ARTICLE 6 Indemnity, Subrogation and Subordination |
5 | |||||
Section 6.01 |
Indemnity and Subrogation |
5 | ||||
Section 6.02 |
Contribution and Subrogation |
5 | ||||
Section 6.03 |
Subordination |
5 | ||||
ARTICLE 7 Miscellaneous |
6 | |||||
Section 7.01 |
Notices |
6 | ||||
Section 7.02 |
Reserved |
6 | ||||
Section 7.03 |
Binding Effect; Several Agreement |
6 | ||||
Section 7.04 |
Successors and Assigns |
6 | ||||
Section 7.05 |
Administrative Agents Fees and Expenses; Indemnification |
6 | ||||
Section 7.06 |
Reserved |
7 | ||||
Section 7.07 |
Governing Law |
7 | ||||
Section 7.08 |
Waivers; Amendment |
7 | ||||
Section 7.09 |
Waiver of Jury Trial |
8 | ||||
Section 7.10 |
Severability |
10 | ||||
Section 7.11 |
Counterparts |
10 | ||||
Section 7.12 |
Headings |
10 | ||||
Section 7.13 |
Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process |
10 |
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Section 7.14 |
Termination or Release |
10 | ||||
Section 7.15 |
Additional Guarantors |
11 | ||||
Section 7.16 |
Set Off |
11 | ||||
Section 7.17 |
Credit Agreement |
11 | ||||
Section 7.18 |
Authority of Administrative Agent |
11 |
Exhibits
Exhibit I | Form of Supplement to the Guaranty Agreement |
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GUARANTY AGREEMENT dated and effective as of August 14, 2013 (this Agreement ), among FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., a private limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands ( FIMBV ), acting as sole general partner and on behalf of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V., a limited partnership ( commanditaire vennootschap ) formed and entered into under the laws of The Netherlands ( Franks International C.V. and, FIMBV acting as sole general partner and on behalf of Franks International C.V., the Borrower ), and each Material Subsidiary of Borrower that is a signatory hereto and, at any time on or after the date hereof, any Material Subsidiary of the Borrower that shall become a Guarantor pursuant to Section 7.15 hereof (collectively, the Guarantors and each, a Guarantor ), and AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION ( Amegy ), as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the Administrative Agent ) for the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement).
Reference is made to the 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of August 14, 2013 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement ), among Borrower, the lenders party thereto from time to time and the Administrative Agent.
The Lenders have agreed to extend credit to the Borrower on and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement. The obligations of the Lenders to extend such credit are conditioned upon, among other things, the execution and delivery of this Agreement. Each Guarantor will derive substantial benefits from the extension of credit to the Borrower pursuant to the Credit Agreement and is willing to execute and deliver this Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to extend such credit. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
D EFINITIONS
Section 1.01 Credit Agreement . Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined herein have the respective meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement.
(a) The rules of construction specified in Section 1.02 of the Credit Agreement also apply to this Agreement.
Section 1.02 Other Defined Terms . As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:
Lenders means (a) the Lenders; (b) the Administrative Agent, (c) the beneficiaries of each indemnification or reimbursement obligation undertaken by any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (d) the successors and permitted assigns of each of the foregoing.
ARTICLE 2
G UARANTEE
Section 2.01 Guarantee . Each Guarantor absolutely, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees, jointly with the other Guarantors and severally, as a primary obligor and not merely as a surety, the due and punctual payment and performance of the Obligations. Each Guarantor further agrees that the Obligations may be extended, modified, substituted, amended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice to or further assent from it (except in cases where the Guarantor is a party to the agreement giving rise to the Obligation being extended, modified, substituted, amended or renewed and such notice or assent is required by such agreement), and
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that it will remain bound upon its guarantee notwithstanding any extension, modification, substitution, amendment or renewal of any Obligation. Each Guarantor unconditionally and irrevocably waives notice of nonperformance, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration, presentment to, demand of payment from and protest to the Borrower or any other Loan Party of any of the Obligations, and also waives notice of acceptance of or reliance on its guarantee and notice of protest for nonpayment.
Section 2.02 Guarantee of Payment . Each Guarantor further agrees that its guarantee hereunder constitutes a guarantee of payment when due, whether at scheduled maturity or on any date of a required prepayment or by acceleration, demand or otherwise, and not of collection, and waives any right to require that any resort be had by the Administrative Agent or any other Lender to any security held for the payment of the Obligations or to any balance of any deposit account or credit on the books of the Administrative Agent or any other Lender in favor of the Borrower or any other Person.
Section 2.03 No Limitations, etc . (a) Except for termination of a Guarantors obligations hereunder as expressly provided for in Section 7.14, the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall not be subject to any defense or setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the Obligations or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by:
(i) the failure of the Administrative Agent or any other Lender to assert any claim or demand or to exercise or enforce any right or remedy under the provisions of any Loan Document or otherwise;
(ii) the creation of any Obligation and any rescission, waiver, amendment, restatement, supplement or modification of, or any release from any of the terms or provisions of, any Loan Document or any other agreement, including with respect to (x) any of the foregoing that extends the maturity of, or increases the amount of, any Obligations and (y) any other Guarantor under this Agreement;
(iii) any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of the Obligations;
(iv) any other act or omission that may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of any Guarantor or otherwise operate as a discharge of any Guarantor as a matter of law or equity (other than the indefeasible payment in full in cash of all the Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations));
(v) any illegality, lack of validity or enforceability of any Obligation;
(vi) any change in the corporate existence, structure or ownership of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, or any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or other similar proceeding affecting the Borrower or any other Loan Party or the Borrowers or any other Loan Partys assets or any resulting release or discharge of any Obligation;
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(vii) the existence of any claim, set-off or other rights that the Guarantor may have at any time against the Borrower or any other Loan Party, the Administrative Agent, or any other Person, whether in connection herewith or any unrelated transactions, provided that nothing herein will prevent the assertion of any such claim by separate suit or compulsory counterclaim; or
(viii) any other circumstance or any other law, order, or regulation now or hereafter in effect in any jurisdiction (including without limitation, the expiration of any statute of limitations) or any existence of or reliance on any representation by the Administrative Agent or any other Person that might otherwise constitute a defense to, or a legal or equitable discharge of, the Borrower or any other Guarantor (including such Guarantor) or any other guarantor or surety.
Each Guarantor acknowledges that its guarantee is continuing in nature and applies to all Obligations, whether existing now or in the future. 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 this Article 2 are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.
(b) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor waives any defense based on or arising out of any defense of the Borrower or any other Loan Party or the unenforceability of the Obligations or any part thereof from any cause, or the cessation from any cause of the liability of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, other than the indefeasible payment in full in cash of all the Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations). The Administrative Agent and the other Lenders may, at their election, foreclose on any security held by one or more of them by one or more judicial or nonjudicial sales, accept an assignment of any such security in lieu of foreclosure, compromise or adjust any part of the Obligations, make any other accommodation with the Borrower or any other Loan Party or exercise any other right or remedy available to them against the Borrower or any other Loan Party, without affecting or impairing in any way the liability of any Guarantor hereunder except to the extent the Obligations have been fully and indefeasibly paid in full in cash. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor waives any defense arising out of any such election even though such election operates, pursuant to applicable law, to impair or to extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right or remedy of such Guarantor against the Borrower or any other Loan Party, as the case may be, or any security.
Section 2.04 Reinstatement . Each Guarantor agrees that its guarantee hereunder shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of any Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by the Administrative Agent or any Lender upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Borrower, any other Loan Party or otherwise.
Section 2.05 Agreement to Pay; Subrogation . In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right that the Administrative Agent or any Lender has at law or in equity against any Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Borrower or any other Loan Party to pay any Obligation when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, after notice of prepayment or otherwise, each Guarantor hereby promises to and will forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, to the Administrative Agent for distribution to the applicable Lenders in cash the amount of such unpaid Obligation. Upon payment by any
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Guarantor of any sums to the Administrative Agent as provided above, all rights of such Guarantor against the Borrower or any other Loan Party or any other Guarantor arising as a result thereof by way of right of subrogation, contribution, reimbursement, indemnity or otherwise shall in all respects be subject to Article 6.
Section 2.06 Information . Each Guarantor assumes all responsibility for being and keeping itself informed of the financial condition and assets of the Borrower and each other Loan Party, and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Obligations and the nature, scope and extent of the risks that such Guarantor assumes and incurs hereunder, and agrees that none of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders will have any duty to advise such Guarantor of information known to it or any of them regarding such circumstances or risks.
Section 2.07 Reliance; Demands . The Obligations, and each of them, shall conclusively be deemed to have been created, contracted or incurred, or renewed, extended, amended or waived, in reliance upon the guarantee contained in this Article 2. All dealings between the Borrower and any of the other Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, on the other hand, likewise shall be conclusively presumed to have been had or consummated in reliance upon the guarantee contained in this Article 2. When making any demand hereunder or otherwise pursuing its rights and remedies hereunder against any Guarantor, the Administrative Agent and any other Lender may, but shall be under no obligation to, make a similar demand on or otherwise pursue such rights and remedies as it may have against the Borrower or any other Guarantor or any other Person or against any guarantee for the Obligations or any right of offset with respect thereto, and any failure by the Administrative Agent or any other Lender to make any such demand, to pursue such other rights or remedies or to collect any payments from the Borrower or any other Guarantor or any other Person or to realize upon any such guarantee or to exercise any such right of offset, or any release of the Borrower or any other Guarantor or any other Person or any such guarantee or right of offset, shall not relieve any Guarantor of any obligation or liability hereunder, and shall not impair or affect the rights and remedies, whether express, implied or available as a matter of law, of the Administrative Agent or any other Lender against any Guarantor. For the purposes hereof demand shall include the commencement and continuance of any legal proceedings.
Section 2.08 Maximum Liability . Anything herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum liability of each Guarantor in its capacity as such hereunder and under the other Loan Documents shall in no event exceed the amount which can be guaranteed by such Guarantor under applicable federal and state laws relating to the insolvency of debtors (after giving effect to the right of contribution established in Section 6.02).
Section 2.09 Payments Free and Clear of Taxes, etc . Any and all payments made by any Guarantor under or in respect of this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be made in accordance with Section 2.17 of the Credit Agreement.
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ARTICLE 3
R ESERVED
ARTICLE 4
R ESERVED
ARTICLE 5
R ESERVED
ARTICLE 6
I NDEMNITY , S UBROGATION AND S UBORDINATION
Section 6.01 Indemnity and Subrogation . In addition to all such rights of indemnity and subrogation as the Guarantors may have under applicable law (but subject to Section 6.03), (a) the Borrower agrees that in the event a payment shall be made by any Guarantor under this Agreement in respect of any Obligation of the Borrower, the Borrower shall indemnify such Guarantor for the full amount of such payment and such Guarantor shall be subrogated to the rights of the Person to whom such payment shall have been made to the extent of such payment and (b) each Guarantor (each such Guarantor, together with the Borrower in the context of clause (a) above, an Indemnifying Loan Party ) agrees that in the event a payment shall be made by any other Guarantor under this Agreement in respect of any Obligation of such Guarantor, such Guarantor shall indemnify such other Guarantor for the full amount of such payment and such other Guarantor shall be subrogated to the rights of the Person to whom such payment shall have been made to the extent of such payment.
Section 6.02 Contribution and Subrogation . Each Guarantor (a Contributing Guarantor ) agrees (subject to Section 6.03) that, in the event a payment shall be made by any other Guarantor hereunder in respect of any Obligation (the Claiming Guarantor ) shall not have been fully indemnified by the Indemnifying Loan Party as provided in Section 6.01, the Contributing Guarantor shall indemnify the Claiming Guarantor in an amount equal to the amount of such payment, in each case multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the net worth of such Contributing Guarantor on the date of such payment and the denominator shall be the aggregate net worth of all the Guarantors on the date of such payment. Any Contributing Guarantor making any payment to a Claiming Guarantor pursuant to this Section 6.02 shall be subrogated to the rights of such Claiming Guarantor under Section 6.01 to the extent of such payment.
Section 6.03 Subordination . (a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, all rights of the Guarantors under Sections 6.01 and 6.02 and all other rights of indemnity, contribution or subrogation of the Grantors under applicable law or otherwise shall be fully subordinated to the indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations). No failure on the part of the Borrower or any other Guarantor to make the payments required by Sections 6.01 and 6.02 (or any other payments required under applicable law or otherwise) shall in any respect limit the obligations and liabilities of any Guarantor with respect to its obligations hereunder, and each Guarantor shall remain liable for the full amount of the obligations of such Guarantor hereunder.
(b) Each Guarantor hereby agrees that all Indebtedness and other monetary obligations owed by it to any other Guarantor or any Subsidiary of the Borrower shall be fully subordinated to the indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations).
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ARTICLE 7
M ISCELLANEOUS
Section 7.01 Notices . All communications and notices hereunder shall (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein) be in writing and given as provided in Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement. All communications and notices hereunder to any Guarantor shall be given to it in care of the Borrower, with such notice to be given as provided in Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement.
Section 7.02 Reserved .
Section 7.03 Binding Effect; Several Agreement . This Agreement shall become effective as to any party to this Agreement when a counterpart hereof executed on behalf of such party shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent and a counterpart hereof shall have been executed on behalf of the Administrative Agent, and thereafter shall be binding upon such party and the Administrative Agent and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of such party, the Administrative Agent and the other Lenders and their respective permitted successors and assigns, except that no party hereto shall have the right to assign or transfer its rights or obligations hereunder (and any such assignment or transfer shall be void) except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement or the Credit Agreement. This Agreement shall be construed as a separate agreement with respect to each Loan Party party hereto and may be amended, modified, supplemented, waived or released with respect to any party without the approval of any other Loan Party party hereto and without affecting the obligations of any other party hereunder.
Section 7.04 Successors and Assigns . Whenever in this Agreement any of the parties hereto is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to include the permitted successors and assigns of such party; and all covenants, promises and agreements by or on behalf of any Guarantor or the Administrative Agent that are contained in this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective permitted successors and assigns.
Section 7.05 Administrative Agents Fees and Expenses; Indemnification .
(a) The parties hereto agree that the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to reimbursement of its expenses incurred hereunder as provided in Section 9.05 of the Credit Agreement.
(b) The parties hereto agree that the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to indemnification as provided in Section 9.05 of the Credit Agreement.
(c) By its acceptance of the benefits hereof, each Lender agrees (i) to reimburse the Administrative Agent, on demand, in the amount of its pro rata share (based on its Commitments, or if such Commitments shall have expired or terminated, in accordance with the respective principal amounts of its applicable outstanding Loans owed to it), of any reasonable expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, including reasonable counsel fees and compensation of agents and employees paid for services rendered on behalf of the Administrative Agent which shall not have been reimbursed by the Borrower and (ii) to indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent and any of its directors, officers, employees or agents, on demand, in the amount of such pro rata share, from and against any and all liabilities, Taxes, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred
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by or asserted against it in its capacity as Administrative Agent or any of them in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any action taken or omitted by it or any of them under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, to the extent the same shall not have been reimbursed by the Borrower, provided that no Lender shall be liable to the Administrative Agent for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements to the extent found in a final non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted primarily from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Administrative Agent or any of its directors, officers, employees or agents.
(d) Any such amounts payable by any Guarantor as provided hereunder shall be additional Obligations guaranteed hereby. The provisions of this Section 7.05 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the termination of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of any of the Obligations, the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Administrative Agent or any other Lender. All amounts due under this Section 7.05 shall be payable on written demand therefor.
Section 7.06 Reserved .
Section 7.07 Governing Law . THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND ALL CLAIMS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF, WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT LAW OR TORT LAW, SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.
Section 7.08 Waivers; Amendment . (a) No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent or any other Lender in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right, power or remedy, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. The rights, powers and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the other Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights, powers or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any Loan Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section 7.08, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default or Event of Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent or any other Lender may have had notice or knowledge of such Default or Event of Default at the time. No notice or demand on any Loan Party in any case shall entitle any Loan Party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.
(b) Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Administrative Agent and the Loan Party or Loan Parties with respect to which such waiver, amendment or modification is to apply, subject to any consent required in accordance with Section 9.08 of the Credit Agreement.
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Section 7.09 Waiver of Jury Trial . (a) EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS. EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 7.09.
(b) Arbitration .
(i) If a claim, dispute, or controversy arises between the parties hereto with respect to this Agreement, related agreements, or any other agreement or business relationship between any of the parties hereto whether or not related to the subject matter of this Agreement (all of the foregoing, a Dispute ), and only if a jury trial waiver is not permitted by applicable law or ruling by a court, any of the parties hereto may require that the Dispute be resolved by binding arbitration before a single arbitrator at the request of any party. By agreeing to arbitrate a Dispute, each party gives up any right that party may have to a jury trial, as well as other rights that party would have in court that are not available or are more limited in arbitration, such as the rights to discovery and to appeal.
(ii) Arbitration shall be commenced by filing a petition with, and in accordance with the applicable arbitration rules of, the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services ( JAMS ) or National Arbitration Forum ( Administrator ) as selected by the initiating party. If the parties agree, arbitration may be commenced by appointment of a licensed attorney who is selected by the parties and who agrees to conduct the arbitration without an Administrator. Disputes include matters (i) relating to a deposit account, application for or denial of credit, enforcement of any of the obligations the parties owe to each other, compliance with applicable laws and/or regulations, performance or services provided under any agreement by any party, (ii) based on or arising from an alleged tort, or (iii) involving any parties employees, agents, Affiliates, or assigns. However, Disputes do not include the validity, enforceability, meaning, or scope of this arbitration provision and such matters may be determined only by a court. If a third party is a party to a Dispute, each party will consent to including the third party in the arbitration proceeding for resolving the Dispute with the third party. Venue for the arbitration proceeding shall be at a location determined by mutual agreement of the parties or, if no agreement, in Houston, Texas.
(iii) After entry of an arbitration order, the non-moving party shall commence arbitration. The moving party shall, at its discretion, also be entitled to commence arbitration but is under no obligation to do so, and the moving party shall not in any way be adversely prejudiced by electing not to commence arbitration. The arbitrator: (i) will hear and rule on appropriate dispositive
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motions for judgment on the pleadings, for failure to state a claim, or for full or partial summary judgment; (ii) will render a decision and any award applying applicable law; (iii) will give effect to any limitations period in determining any Dispute or defense; (iv) shall enforce the doctrines of compulsory counterclaim, res judicata, and collateral estoppel, if applicable; (v) with regard to motions and the arbitration hearing, shall apply rules of evidence governing civil cases; and (vi) will apply the law of the State of Texas. Filing of a petition for arbitration shall not prevent any party from (x) seeking and obtaining from a court of competent jurisdiction (notwithstanding ongoing arbitration) provisional or ancillary remedies including but not limited to injunctive relief, property preservation orders, foreclosure, eviction, attachment, replevin, garnishment, and/or the appointment of a receiver, (y) pursuing non-judicial foreclosure, or (z) availing itself of any self-help remedies such as setoff and repossession. The exercise of such rights shall not constitute a waiver of the right to submit any Dispute to arbitration.
(iv) Judgment upon an arbitration award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction except that, if the arbitration award exceeds $4,000,000, any party shall be entitled to a de novo appeal of the award before a panel of three arbitrators. To allow for such appeal, if the award (including Administrators, arbitrators, and attorneys fees and costs) exceeds $4,000,000, the arbitrator will issue a written, reasoned decision supporting the award, including a statement of authority and its application to the Dispute. A request for de novo appeal must be filed with the arbitrator within 30 days following the date of the arbitration award; if such a request is not made within that time period, the arbitration decision shall become final and binding. On appeal, the arbitrators shall review the award de novo, meaning that they shall reach their own findings of fact and conclusions of law rather than deferring in any manner to the original arbitrator. Appeal of an arbitration award shall be pursuant to the rules of the Administrator or, if the Administrator has no such rules, then the JAMS arbitration appellate rules shall apply.
(v) Arbitration under this provision concerns a transaction involving interstate commerce and shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. § 1 et seq. This arbitration provision shall survive any termination, amendment, or expiration of this Agreement. If the terms of this provision vary from the Administrators rules, this arbitration provision shall control.
(c) CLASS ACTION WAIVER . EACH PARTY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO LITIGATE IN COURT OR ARBITRATE ANY CLAIM OR DISPUTE AS A CLASS ACTION, EITHER AS A MEMBER OF A CLASS OR AS A REPRESENTATIVE, OR TO ACT AS A PRIVATE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
(d) Reliance . Each party (i) certifies that no one has represented to such party that the other parties would not seek to enforce jury and class action waivers in the event of suit, and (ii) acknowledges that it and the other parties have been induced to enter into this Agreement by, among other things, the mutual waivers, agreements, and certifications in this section.
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Section 7.10 Severability . In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.
Section 7.11 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute but one contract, and shall become effective as provided in Section 7.03. Delivery of an executed counterpart to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed original. Any such delivery shall be followed promptly by delivery of the manually signed original.
Section 7.12 Headings . Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.
Section 7.13 Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process . (a) Each party to this Agreement hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of any Texas State court or federal court of the United States of America sitting in Houston, Texas, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such Texas State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court. Each of the parties hereto further irrevocably consents to the service of process in any action or proceeding in such courts by the mailing thereof by any parties thereto by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the Borrower at the address specified for the Loan Parties in Section 9.01(a) of the Credit Agreement. Each of the parties hereto 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 Agreement shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent or any other Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any Guarantor, or its properties, in the courts of any jurisdiction.
(b) Each party to this Agreement hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document in any Texas State or federal court sitting in Houston, Texas. 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 action or proceeding in any such court.
Section 7.14 Termination or Release . (a) This Agreement and the guarantees made herein shall terminate, and each Guarantor shall be automatically released from its obligations hereunder, when all the Obligations are paid in full in cash and the Commitments are terminated (other than contingent indemnification obligations).
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(b) Upon the consummation of any transaction or series of transactions as a result of which any Guarantor ceases to be a Material Subsidiary of the Borrower that (x) is not prohibited by the Loan Documents, (y) is consummated while no Default or Event of Default has occurred or is continuing, and (z) would not result in a Change in Control, Default or an Event of Default, then such Guarantor shall automatically be released from its obligations hereunder.
(c) Reserved.
(d) Reserved.
(e) In connection with any termination pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 7.14, the Administrative Agent shall execute and deliver to any Guarantor, at such Guarantors expense, all documents that such Guarantor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination. Any execution and delivery of documents pursuant to this Section 7.14 shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Administrative Agent.
Section 7.15 Additional Guarantors . Any Subsidiary may become a party hereto by signing and delivering to the Administrative Agent a Guaranty Agreement Supplement, substantially in the form of Exhibit I hereto, whereupon such Subsidiary shall become a Guarantor defined herein with the same force and effect as if originally named as a Guarantor herein. The execution and delivery of any such instrument shall not require the consent of any other party to this Agreement. The rights and obligations of each party to this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new party to this Agreement.
Section 7.16 Set Off . If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender 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) at any time held and other indebtedness at any time owing by such Lender to or for the credit or the account of any Guarantor, against any and all obligations of such Guarantor, now or hereafter existing under this Guaranty or any other Loan Document held by such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement or such other Loan Document and although the obligations may be unmatured. The rights of each Lender under this Section 7.16 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of set-off) that such Lender may have.
Section 7.17 Credit Agreement . If any conflict exists between this Agreement and the Credit Agreement, the Credit Agreement shall govern.
Section 7.18 Authority of Administrative Agent . Each Guarantor acknowledges that the rights and responsibilities of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement with respect to any action taken by the Administrative Agent shall, as among the Lenders, be governed by the Credit Agreement and by such other agreements with respect thereto as may exist from time to time among them, but, as between the Administrative Agent and the Guarantors, the Administrative Agent shall be conclusively presumed to be acting as agent for the Lenders with full and valid authority so to act or refrain from acting, and no Guarantor shall be under any obligation, or entitlement, to make any inquiry respecting such authority. The Administrative Agent has been appointed to act as Administrative Agent hereunder by the Lenders and, by their acceptance of the benefits hereof, any other Lenders becoming a party to the Credit Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall be obligated, and shall have the right hereunder, to make demands, to give notices, to exercise or refrain from exercising any rights, and to take or refrain from taking any action, solely in accordance with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.
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Acknowledged and Agreed as of the date first written above:
AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, | ||
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Exhibit I
to the Guaranty Agreement
FORM OF SUPPLEMENT TO GUARANTY AGREEMENT
SUPPLEMENT NO. dated as of [ ] (this Supplement ), to the Guaranty Agreement dated as of August 14, 2013 (the Guaranty Agreement ), among FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., a private limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands ( FIMBV ), acting as sole general partner and on behalf of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V., a limited partnership ( commanditaire vennootschap ) formed and entered into under the laws of The Netherlands ( Franks International C.V. and, FIMBV acting as sole general partner and on behalf of Franks International C.V., the Borrower ), and each Subsidiary that shall, at any time after the date thereof, become a Loan Party pursuant to Section 7.15 thereof (each, a Guarantor ) and Amegy Bank National Association ( Amegy ), as administrative agent (in such capacity, the Administrative Agent ) for the Lenders (as defined therein).
A. Reference is made to the 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of August 14, 2013 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement ), among the Borrower, the lenders party thereto from time to time (the Lenders ) and Amegy, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders.
B. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement and the Guaranty Agreement referred to therein.
C. The Guarantors have entered into the Guaranty Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to make Loans. Section 7.15 of the Guaranty Agreement provides that any additional Subsidiary may become a Guarantor under the Guaranty Agreement by execution and delivery of an instrument in the form of this Supplement (with such changes and modifications hereto as may be required by the laws of any applicable foreign jurisdiction to the extent applicable). The undersigned Subsidiary (the New Subsidiary ) is executing this Supplement, in accordance with the requirements of the Credit Agreement, to become a Guarantor under the Guaranty Agreement, in order to induce the Lenders to make additional Loans and each Issuing Bank to issue additional Revolving Letters of Credit and as consideration for Loans previously made and Letters of Credit previously issued.
Accordingly, the Administrative Agent and the New Subsidiary agree as follows:
SECTION 1. In accordance with Section 7.15 of the Guaranty Agreement, the New Subsidiary by its signature below and delivery thereof to the Administrative Agent becomes a Guarantor under the Guaranty Agreement with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Guarantor and the New Subsidiary hereby (a) agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Guaranty Agreement applicable to it as a Guarantor thereunder and (b) represents and warrants that the representations and warranties made by it as a Guarantor thereunder are true and correct, in all material respects, on and as of the date hereof, except 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. Each reference to a Guarantor in the Guaranty Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Subsidiary. The Guaranty Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
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SECTION 2. The New Subsidiary represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the other Lenders that this Supplement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to (i) the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws affecting creditors rights generally, (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) implied covenants of good faith and fair dealing.
SECTION 3. This Supplement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute but one contract. This Supplement shall become effective when (a) the Administrative Agent shall have received a counterpart of this Supplement that bears the signature of the New Subsidiary and (b) the Administrative Agent has executed a counterpart hereof. Delivery of an executed counterpart to this Supplement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed original. Any such delivery shall be followed promptly by delivery of the manually signed original.
SECTION 4. Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Guaranty Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 5. THIS SUPPLEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS SUPPLEMENT AND ALL CLAIMS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF, WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT LAW OR TORT LAW, SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.
SECTION 6. In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Supplement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and in the Guaranty Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.
SECTION 7. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 7.01 of the Guaranty Agreement.
SECTION 8. The New Subsidiary agrees to reimburse the Administrative Agent for its reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Supplement, including the reasonable and documented fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel for the Administrative Agent.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Subsidiary and the Administrative Agent have duly executed this Supplement to the Guaranty Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
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AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent | ||||
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EXHIBIT F
FORM OF SOLVENCY CERTIFICATE
I, the undersigned, the [Chief Financial Officer] [title of other Responsible Officer] of the Borrower (as defined below), DO HEREBY CERTIFY on behalf of the Borrower that:
1. This Certificate is furnished pursuant to Section 4.02(g) of the 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement (as in effect on the date of this Certificate, the Revolving Credit Agreement ), dated as of August 14, 2013 among FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., a private limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands ( FIMBV ), acting as sole general partner and on behalf of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V., a limited partnership ( commanditaire vennootschap ) formed and entered into under the laws of The Netherlands ( Franks International C.V. and, FIMBV acting as sole general partner and on behalf of Franks International C.V., the Borrower ), the LENDERS party thereto from time to time, and AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as administrative agent. Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Revolving Credit Agreement.
2. Immediately after giving effect to the Transactions, (a) the fair value of the assets (for the avoidance of doubt, calculated to include goodwill and other intangibles) of the Borrower and the Borrowers Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, at a fair valuation, will exceed the debts and liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, of the Borrower and the Borrowers Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis; (b) the present fair saleable value of the property of the Borrower and the Borrowers Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of the Borrower and the Borrowers Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, on their debts and other liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured; (c) the Borrower and the Borrowers Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will be able to pay their debts and liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured; and (d) the Borrower and the Borrowers Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the businesses in which they are engaged as such businesses are now conducted and are proposed to be conducted following the Closing Date.
3. The Borrower does not intend to, and does not believe that it or any of its Subsidiaries will, incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature, taking into account the timing and amounts of cash to be received by it or any Subsidiary, and the timing and amounts of cash to be payable on or in respect of its Indebtedness or the Indebtedness of any such Subsidiary.
[Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this day of August, 2013.
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., acting on behalf of and as sole general partner of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V., as Borrower | ||
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EXHIBIT G
FORM OF REVOLVING NOTE
Dated: August 14, 2013
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., a private limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands ( FIMBV ), acting as sole general partner and on behalf of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V., a limited partnership ( commanditaire vennootschap ) formed and entered into under the laws of The Netherlands ( Franks International C.V. and, FIMBV acting as sole general partner and on behalf of Franks International C.V., the Borrower ), HEREBY PROMISES TO PAY to [NAME OF LENDER] (the Lender ) or its registered assigns for the account of its applicable lending office the principal amount of the Revolving Facility Loans (as defined below) owing to the Lender by the Borrower pursuant to the Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of August 14 ], 2013 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement ; terms defined therein, unless otherwise defined herein, being used herein as therein defined), among the Borrower, the LENDERS party thereto from time to time, and AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as administrative agent. Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
The Borrower promises to pay to the Lender or its registered assigns interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Facility Loan advanced to the Borrower by the Lender from the date of such Revolving Facility Loan until such principal amount is paid in full, at such interest rates, and payable at such times, as are specified in the Credit Agreement.
Both principal and interest are payable in U.S. dollars to Amegy Bank National Association, as Administrative Agent, in immediately available funds. Each Revolving Facility Loan advanced to the Borrower and the maturity thereof, and all payments made on account of principal thereof, shall be recorded by the Lender and, prior to any transfer hereof, endorsed on the grid attached hereto, which is part of this promissory note (the Promissory Note ); provided, however , that the failure of the Lender to make any such recordation or endorsement shall not affect the Obligations of the Borrower under this Promissory Note.
This Promissory Note is one of the promissory notes referred to in Section 2.09(e) of the Credit Agreement and is entitled to the benefits of the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement, among other things, (i) provides for the making of loans (the Revolving Facility Loans ) by the Revolving Facility Lenders to or for the benefit of the Borrower from time to time in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding U.S. $100,000,000, the indebtedness of the Borrower resulting from each such Revolving Facility Loan being, on request of a Revolving Facility Lender, evidenced by such promissory notes, and (ii) contains provisions for acceleration of the maturity hereof upon the happening of certain stated events and also for prepayments on account of principal hereof prior to the maturity hereof upon the terms and conditions therein specified.
The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of any Texas State court or federal court of the United States of America sitting in Houston, Texas, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Promissory Note or the other Loan Documents, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally
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agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such Texas State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court. The Borrower further irrevocably consents to the service of process in any action or proceeding in such courts by the mailing thereof by any parties thereto by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the Borrower at the address specified for the Loan Parties in Section 9.01(a) of the Credit Agreement. The Borrower 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 Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Promissory Note or the other Loan Documents in any Texas State or federal court sitting in Houston, Texas. The Borrower hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.
Reference is hereby made to Sections 9.09 and 9.11 of the Credit Agreement, the provisions of which are hereby incorporated by reference in this Promissory Note as if fully set forth herein, for the payment and performance of Borrowers obligations hereunder.
This Promissory Note shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Texas.
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., acting on behalf of and as sole general partner of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V., as Borrower | ||
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LOANS AND PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL
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EXHIBIT H-1
[FORM OF]
U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
(For Non-U.S. Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Reference is hereby made to the 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of August 14, 2013 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement ), among FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., a private limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands ( FIMBV ), acting as sole general partner and on behalf of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V., a limited partnership ( commanditaire vennootschap ) formed and entered into under the laws of The Netherlands ( Franks International C.V. and, FIMBV acting as sole general partner and on behalf of Franks International C.V., the Borrower ), the LENDERS party thereto from time to time, and AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as administrative agent. Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.
The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.
Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
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EXHIBIT H-2
[FORM OF]
U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
(For Foreign Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Reference is hereby made to the 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of August 14, 2013 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement ), among FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., a private limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands ( FIMBV ), acting as sole general partner and on behalf of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V., a limited partnership ( commanditaire vennootschap ) formed and entered into under the laws of The Netherlands ( Franks International C.V. and, FIMBV acting as sole general partner and on behalf of Franks International C.V., the Borrower ), the LENDERS party thereto from time to time, and AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as administrative agent. Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.
The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender in writing, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.
Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
[NAME OF PARTICIPANT] | ||||
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EXHIBIT H-3
[FORM OF]
U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
(For Foreign Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Reference is hereby made to the 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of August 14, 2013 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement ), among FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., a private limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands ( FIMBV ), acting as sole general partner and on behalf of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V., a limited partnership ( commanditaire vennootschap ) formed and entered into under the laws of The Netherlands ( Franks International C.V. and, FIMBV acting as sole general partner and on behalf of Franks International C.V., the Borrower ), the LENDERS party thereto from time to time, and AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as administrative agent. Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such participation, (iii) with respect such participation, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.
The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN from each of such partners/members beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.
Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
[NAME OF PARTICIPANT] | ||
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Date: , 20[ ] |
H-3
EXHIBIT H-4
[FORM OF]
U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
(For Non-U.S. Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Reference is hereby made to the 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of August 14, 2013 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement ), among FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V., a private limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands ( FIMBV ), acting as sole general partner and on behalf of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V., a limited partnership ( commanditaire vennootschap ) formed and entered into under the laws of The Netherlands ( Franks International C.V. and, FIMBV acting as sole general partner and on behalf of Franks International C.V., the Borrower ), the LENDERS party thereto from time to time, and AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as administrative agent. Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (iii) with respect to the extension of credit pursuant to this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.
The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN from each of such partners/members beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.
H-4-1
Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
[NAME OF LENDER] | ||
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Date: | , 20[ ] |
H-4-2
EXHIBIT I
FORM OF ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE
Administrative Questionnaire
I. Borrower Name: | FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V. , acting on behalf of and as sole general partner of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V. | |
II. Legal Name of Lender for Signature Page: |
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III. Name of Lender for any eventual tombstone: |
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IV. Legal Address: | ||
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V. Contact Information: |
Credit Contact |
Operations Contact |
Legal Counsel |
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Telephone: |
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Email: |
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VI. Lenders Wire Payment Instructions:
Pay to: |
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(Name of Lender) | ||||
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(ABA#) | (City/State) | |||
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(Account #) | (Account Name) |
I-1
Please return this form, by fax, to the attention of Administrative Agent, fax 713-571-5413 , no later than 5:00 p.m. Houston, Texas time, on [ ] , 20 .
I-2
Administrative Questionnaire
Borrower Name: | FRANKS INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT B.V. , acting on behalf of and as sole general partner of FRANKS INTERNATIONAL C.V. | |
VII. Organizational Structure: | ||
Branch, organized under which laws, etc. |
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Lenders Tax ID: |
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Tax withholding Form Attached
[ ] Form W-9
[ ] Form W-8BEN/W-8EXP/W-8IMY/W-8ECI (with any required attachments)
[ ] W/Hold % Effective
VIII. Payment Instructions:
Servicing Site:
Pay To:
IX. Name of Authorized Officer: |
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Name: |
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Signature: |
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Date: |
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I-3
Administrative Questionnaire
X. Institutional Investor Sub-Allocations
Institution Legal: |
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Fund Manager: |
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Sub-Allocations: |
Exact Legal Name (for documentation purposes) |
Sub-
Allocation (Indicate US$) |
Direct Signer to
Credit Agreement (Yes / No) |
Purchase by
Assignment (Yes / No) |
Date of Post-
Closing Assignment |
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Special Instructions
I-4
SCHEDULES
Schedule 1.01 | Existing Letters of Credit | |
Schedule 2.01 | Commitments | |
Schedule 3.04 | Governmental Approvals | |
Schedule 3.07(g) | Subsidiaries | |
Schedule 3.08(a) | Litigation | |
Schedule 3.12 | Taxes | |
Schedule 3.15 | Environmental Matters | |
Schedule 3.20 | Insurance | |
Schedule 3.22 | Material Contracts | |
Schedule 6.01 | Indebtedness | |
Schedule 6.02(a) | Liens | |
Schedule 6.04 | Investments |
SCHEDULE 1.01
EXISTING LETTERS OF CREDIT
Issuer |
LC# |
Expiry
Date |
Amount |
Beneficiary |
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Amegy Bank National Association |
SC07583 | 12/31/13 | 1,500,000.00 | HSBC Bank-Singapore | ||||||
Amegy Bank National Association |
SC07607 | 5/31/15 | 544,285.50 | Standard Chartered Bank | ||||||
Amegy Bank National Association |
SC07857 | 11/17/17 | 1,176,563.12 | Standard Chartered Bank | ||||||
Amegy Bank National Association |
SC07997 | 02/08/14 | 247,429.50 | Standard Chartered Bank | ||||||
Amegy Bank National Association |
SC08024 | 03/20/15 | 174,326.60 | Standard Chartered Bank | ||||||
Amegy Bank National Association |
SC08112 | 06/20/16 | 116,871.83 | Standard Chartered Bank | ||||||
Amegy Bank National Association |
SC08186 | 09/05/14 | 189,941.60 | Standard Chartered Bank | ||||||
Amegy Bank National Association |
SC08232 | 07/16/15 | 15,000.00 | Standard Chartered Bank | ||||||
Amegy Bank National Association |
SC08274 | 10/03/14 | 243,396.10 | Standard Chartered Bank | ||||||
Whitney Bank |
SB71526L | 10/26/14 | 328,628.26 | Malayan Banking Berhad | ||||||
Whitney Bank |
SB71586L | 1/26/14 | 37,246.86 | Malayan Banking Berhad |
SCHEDULE 2.01
Revolving Facility Lender |
Revolving
Facility
Commitment |
Revolving
Facility
Percentage |
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Amegy Bank National Association |
$ | 20,000,000.00 | 20.00 | % | ||||
Capital One, National Association |
$ | 20,000,000.00 | 20.00 | % | ||||
Whitney Bank |
$ | 15,000,000.00 | 15.00 | % | ||||
Bank of America, N.A. |
$ | 10,000,000.00 | 10.00 | % | ||||
Citibank, N.A. |
$ | 10,000,000.00 | 10.00 | % | ||||
Regions Bank |
$ | 5,000,000.00 | 5.00 | % | ||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. |
$ | 5,000,000.00 | 5.00 | % | ||||
BOKF, NA, dba The Bank of Texas |
$ | 5,000,000.00 | 5.00 | % | ||||
Cadence Bank, N.A. |
$ | 5,000,000.00 | 5.00 | % | ||||
Comerica Bank |
$ | 5,000,000.00 | 5.00 | % | ||||
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TOTAL |
$ | 100,000,000.00 | 100.00 | % | ||||
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SCHEDULE 3.04
GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS
None.
SCHEDULE 3.07(g)
SUBSIDIARIES
Entity |
Jurisdiction of Incorporation, Formation, or Organization |
Equity Owner |
Percentage of
Equity Owned |
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Franks International Management B.V. |
The Netherlands | N/A | N/A | |||||
Franks International, LLC |
Texas | Franks International Management B.V. | 100 | % | ||||
Franks Casing Crew & Rental Tools, LLC |
Louisiana | Franks International Management B.V. | 100 | % | ||||
Oilfield Equipment Rental B.V. |
The Netherlands | Franks International Operations B.V. | 100 | % | ||||
Franks International West Africa (BVI) Ltd. |
British Virgin Islands | Franks International (BVI) Ltd. | 100 | % | ||||
Franks International (BVI) Ltd. |
British Virgin Islands | Franks International (Bermuda) Ltd. | 100 | % |
SCHEDULE 3.08(a)
LITIGATION
None.
SCHEDULE 3.12
TAXES
(i) None.
(ii) None.
SCHEDULE 3.15
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
None.
SCHEDULE 3.20
INSURANCE
Property Coverage
1. | All Loan Parties are covered by a $68,207,710.00 equipment floater policy with Underwriters at Lloyds and National Union Fire Insurance Co. |
Liability and Umbrella Coverage
1. | All Loan Parties are covered by a $10,000,000 commercial general liability policy with the National Union Fire Insurance Co. |
2. | All Loan Parties are covered by a $15,000,000 umbrella/excess liabilities policy with the National Union Fire Insurance Co. of Pittsburg, PA |
3. | All Loan Parties are covered by a $25,000,000 umbrella/excess liabilities (excess of the $15,000,000 primary umbrella policy) policy with the Lexington Insurance Company |
4. | All Loan Parties are covered by a $60,000,000 umbrella/excess liabilities (excess of the $40,000,000 primary and secondary umbrella policies) policy with the Underwriters of London and Starr Indemnity |
SCHEDULE 3.22
MATERIAL CONTRACTS
None.
SCHEDULE 6.01
INDEBTEDNESS
None.
SCHEDULE 6.02(a)
LIENS
Type |
Debtor |
Lien Holder |
Jurisdiction |
Description |
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Federal Tax Lien | Franks International, LLC (f/k/a Franks International, Inc. | IRS | Federal | Federal Tax Lien in the amount of $7806.03 | ||||
Notice of Assignment (filing # 788982; dated September 23, 1986) | Franks Casing Crew & Rental Tools, LLC (f/k/a/ Franks Casing & Rental Tools, Inc.) | Whitney National Bank |
Terrebonne
Parish, LA |
Assignment of Accounts Receivable; (reinscribed by filing # 36-58830 filed in the Parish of Orleans, dated 08/30/1991) | ||||
Notice of Assignment (filing # 86031990; dated September 23, 1986) | Franks Casing Crew & Rental Tools, LLC (f/k/a/ Franks Casing & Rental Tools, Inc.) | Whitney National Bank |
LaFayette
Parish, LA |
Assignment of Accounts Receivable; (reinscribed by filing # 36-58830 filed in the Parish of Orleans, dated 08/30/1991) | ||||
Financing Statement (filing # 36-58830; dated 08/30/1991, as continued) | Franks Casing Crew & Rental Tools, LLC (f/k/a/ Franks Casing & Rental Tools, Inc.) | Whitney National Bank |
Orleans
Parish, LA |
All Accounts | ||||
Financing Statement (filing # 36-144508; dated as of 12/22/1999, as continued) | Franks Casing Crew & Rental Tools, LLC (f/k/a/ Franks Casing & Rental Tools, Inc.) | Whitney National Bank |
Orleans,
Parish, LA |
Equipment |
Financing Statement (filing # 36-160096; dated as of 07/18/2001, as continued) | Franks Casing Crew & Rental Tools, LLC (f/k/a/ Franks Casing & Rental Tools, Inc.) | Whitney National Bank | Orleans, Parish, LA | All accounts, contract rights, chattel paper, instruments, general intangibles, and inventory | ||||
Financing Statement (filing # 28-431949; dated as of 11/02/2007, as continued) | Franks Casing Crew & Rental Tools, LLC (f/k/a/ Franks Casing & Rental Tools, Inc.) | Whitney National Bank | LaFayette, Parish, LA | Inventory, chattel paper, and accounts | ||||
Financing Statement (filing # 28-433898; dated as of 03/25/2008, as continued) | Franks Casing Crew & Rental Tools, LLC (f/k/a/ Franks Casing & Rental Tools, Inc.) | VFS Financing, Inc. | LaFayette Parish | Certain listed aircraft | ||||
Financing Statement (filing # 09-1121484; dated as of 09/30/2009, as continued) | Franks Casing Crew & Rental Tools, LLC (f/k/a/ Franks Casing & Rental Tools, Inc.) | Red-D-Arc Inc. | Caddo Parish, LA | Certain listed equipment |
SCHEDULE 6.04
INVESTMENTS
Loan Party |
Investment |
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Franks International Management B.V. | 100% of the Equity Interests in Frank International Coöperatief U.A., a COOP organized under the laws of the Netherlands | |
Franks International Management B.V. | 100% of the Equity Interests in Franks International, LLC, a Texas limited liability company | |
Franks International Management B.V. | 100% of the Equity Interests in Franks Casing Crew & Rental Tools, LLC, a Louisiana limited liability company | |
Franks International Management B.V. | 100% of the Equity Interests in Franks Tong Services, LLC, an Oklahoma limited liability company | |
Franks International, LLC | 100% of the Equity Interests in AOTools, LLC, a Texas limited liability company | |
Franks Casing Crew & Rental Tools, LLC | 100% of the Equity Interests in High Tech Components, LLC, a Louisiana limited liability company | |
Franks Casing Crew & Rental Tools, LLC | 100% of the Equity Interests in Kiser Holdings, LLC, a Louisiana limited liability company | |
Franks International (BVI) Ltd. | 100% of the Equity Interests in Franks International Tubular Products, Ltd., a British Virgin Islands corporation | |
Franks International (BVI) Ltd. | 100% of the Equity Interests in Franks International South America, Ltd., a British Virgin Islands corporation | |
Franks International (BVI) Ltd. | 100% of the Equity Interests in Franks Tubular, Ltd., a British Virgin Islands corporation | |
Franks International (BVI) Ltd. | 100% of the Equity Interests in Gulf Oilfield (Middle East), Limited, a British Virgin Islands corporation |
Franks International (BVI) Ltd. | 100% of the Equity Interests in International Tubular Services Limited, a British Virgin Islands corporation | |
Franks International (BVI) Ltd. | 100% of the Equity Interests in Antelope Oil Tools Limited, a British Virgin Islands corporation | |
Franks International (BVI) Ltd. | 100% of the Equity Interests in Franks International Middle East (BVI) Ltd., a British Virgin Islands corporation | |
Franks International (BVI) Ltd. | 100% of the Equity Interests in Franks Oilfield Services Limited, a British Virgin Islands corporation |
Exhibit 10.9
Execution Version
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
This Indemnification Agreement (this Agreement ) dated the 14th day of August, 2013, by and between Franks International N.V., a public limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands (the Company ), and Donald Keith Mosing, an individual ( Indemnitee ).
RECITALS
A. Competent and experienced persons may be reluctant to serve or to continue to serve as directors, officers or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or indemnification (or both) against claims against them arising out of their service and activities on behalf of the corporation.
B. The current uncertainties relating to the availability of adequate insurance have increased the difficulty of attracting and retaining competent and experienced persons to serve in such capacity.
C. The supervisory board of the Company (the Supervisory Board ) has determined that the continuation of present trends in litigation will make it more difficult to attract and retain competent and experienced persons to serve as directors of the Company, that this situation is detrimental to the best interests of the Companys stockholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of adequate protection in the future.
D. As a supplement to and in the furtherance of the Companys Articles of Association, as amended (the Articles ), it is reasonable, prudent, desirable and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, and to pay in advance expenses on behalf of, directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, consistent with the Companys Liability Insurance, so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from concern that they will not be so indemnified and that their expenses will not be so paid in advance;
E. This Agreement is not a substitute for, nor is it intended to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee under, Liability Insurance, the Articles, any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto (including any contractual rights of Indemnitee that may exist) or otherwise;
F. Indemnitee is a director or officer of the Company and his or her willingness to continue to serve in such capacity is predicated, in substantial part, upon the Companys willingness to indemnify him or her to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, consistent with the Companys Liability Insurance, and upon the other undertakings set forth in this Agreement.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Agreement have the meanings set forth below:
Applicable Law means the laws of The Netherlands.
Claims means any and all liabilities, claims, judgments, fines (including excise taxes and penalties assessed with respect to employee benefit plans), penalties and all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of any of the foregoing.
Corporate Status means the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, trustee, fiduciary or agent of the Company or of any other Enterprise which such person is or was serving at the request of the Company. In addition to any service at the actual request of the Company, Indemnitee will be deemed, for purposes of this Agreement, to be serving or to have served at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, trustee, fiduciary or agent of another Enterprise if Indemnitee is or was serving as a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, fiduciary, trustee or agent of such Enterprise and (i) such Enterprise is or at the time of such service was a Controlled Affiliate, (ii) such Enterprise is or at the time of such service was an employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or a Controlled Affiliate or (iii) the Company or a Controlled Affiliate caused Indemnitee to be nominated, elected, appointed, designated, employed, engaged or selected to serve in such capacity on its behalf.
Controlled Affiliate means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other Enterprise, whether or not for profit, that is directly or indirectly controlled by the Company. For purposes of this definition, the term control means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct, or cause the direction of, the management or policies of an Enterprise, whether through the ownership of voting securities, through other voting rights, by contract or otherwise; provided , however , that direct or indirect beneficial ownership of capital stock or other interests in an Enterprise entitling the holder to cast 10% or more of the total number of votes generally entitled to be cast in the election of directors (or persons performing comparable functions) of such Enterprise will be deemed to constitute control for purposes of this definition.
Disinterested Director means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Legal Action, decision or Enterprise action in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.
Enterprise means the Company and any other corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, employee benefit plan, trust or other entity or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company in a Corporate Status.
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Expenses means all reasonable expenses, including attorneys fees and litigation costs, paid or incurred in connection with a Legal Action, or in connection with seeking indemnification under this Agreement. Expenses will also include Expenses reasonably paid or incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Legal Action. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Companys obligation to pay Expenses is limited to Expenses incurred after written notice is given to the Company of a Legal Action. When a Legal Action subject to the indemnity obligation in this Agreement presents both matters that are covered by the indemnity obligation and matters that are not, Expenses shall refer solely to Expenses incurred for the defense of those parts of the Legal Action that are covered by the indemnity obligation in this Agreement
Independent Counsel means an attorney or firm of attorneys that is experienced in matters of corporation law in the appropriate jurisdictions and neither currently is, nor in the past five (5) years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning the Indemnitee under this Agreement and/or the indemnification provisions of the Articles, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Legal Action giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term Independent Counsel does not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitees rights under this Agreement.
Legal Action means any expected, threatened, pending or completed action, investigation, or other proceeding, whether civil, criminal or administrative, and in each case commenced after the date of this Agreement, in which Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party or otherwise, by reason of or relating to Indemnitees Corporate Status and by reason of or relating to either (i) any action or alleged action taken by Indemnitee (or failure or alleged failure to act) or of any action or alleged action (or failure or alleged failure to act) on Indemnitees part, while acting in his or her Corporate Status or (ii) the fact that Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, trustee, fiduciary or agent of another Enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any Loss or Expense is paid or incurred for which indemnification or advancement of Expenses can be provided under this Agreement, except one initiated by Indemnitee to enforce his or her rights under this Agreement.
Liability Insurance means such director and officer liability insurance (or the equivalent), which the Company purchases for the benefit of its directors and officers.
Management Board means the management board of the Company.
Person shall be construed broadly and shall include, without limitation, an individual, a partnership, stichting , commanditaire vennootschap , besloten vennootschap , a limited liability company, a corporation, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization and a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.
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References to serving at the request of the Company include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to any employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan will be deemed to have acted in a manner not opposed to the best interests of the Company as referred to under applicable law or in this Agreement.
ARTICLE 2
SERVICES TO THE COMPANY
2.1 Services to the Company . Indemnitee agrees to serve as an officer or as a director on the Companys Supervisory Board. Indemnitee may at any time and for any reason resign from such position (subject to any other contractual obligation or any obligation imposed by operation of law), in which event the Company will have no obligation under this Agreement to continue Indemnitee in such position. This Agreement will not be construed as giving Indemnitee any right to be retained as an officer, as a director on the Companys Supervisory Board or in any other position with the Company (or any other Enterprise).
ARTICLE 3
INDEMNIFICATION
3.1 Company Indemnification . Except as otherwise provided in this Article 3, if Indemnitee was, is or becomes a party to, or was or is threatened to be made a party to, or was or is otherwise involved in, any Legal Action, the Company will indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by the Articles and Applicable Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, interpreted or replaced, against any and all Expenses, Claims or amounts paid in settlement, and any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, that are paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Legal Action.
3.2 Mandatory Indemnification if Indemnitee is Wholly or Partly Successful . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (other than Section 6.9), to the extent that Indemnitee has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in defense of any Legal Action or any part thereof, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses that are paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Legal Action, but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but fewer than all Claims, issues or matters in such Legal Action, the Company will indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee against all Expenses paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with each successfully resolved Claim, issue or matter on which Indemnitee was successful. For purposes of this Section 3.2, the termination of any Legal Action, or any Claim, issue or matter in such Legal Action, by dismissal with or without prejudice will be deemed to be a successful result as to such Legal Action, Claim, issue or matter.
3.3 Indemnification for Expenses of a Witness . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his or her Corporate Status, a witness in any Legal Action to which Indemnitee is not a party, the Company will advance all reasonable expenses and indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses paid or incurred by Indemnitee on his or her behalf in connection therewith.
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3.4 Exclusions . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company will not be obligated under this Agreement to provide indemnification in connection with the following:
(a) Any Legal Action (or part of any Legal Action) initiated or brought voluntarily by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnities, unless the Management Board has authorized or consented to the initiation of the Legal Action (or such part of any Legal Action) with approval of the Supervisory Board.
(b) An accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any similar successor statute or for any Claims to the extent that they represent the gain in fact of any profit or advantage to which the Indemnitee is not legally entitled.
(c) If a court of competent jurisdiction has made a final and binding judgment that the act or omission of the Indemnitee can be characterized as a result of willful misconduct ( opzet ), willful recklessness ( bewuste roekeloosheid ) or serious culpability ( ernstig verwijt ) under Applicable Law.
(d) For any Legal Action arising out of, based upon or attributable to the committing in fact by the Indemnitee of any deliberate criminal or deliberate fraudulent act.
ARTICLE 4
ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES
4.1 Expense Advances . Except as set forth in Section 4.2, the Company will, if requested by Indemnitee, advance, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, to Indemnitee (hereinafter an Expense Advance ) any and all Expenses paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Legal Action (whether prior to or after its final disposition). Indemnitees right to each Expense Advance will be subject to the requirements of the next sentence but not otherwise subject to the satisfaction of any standard of conduct and will be made without regard to Indemnitees ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement, or under provisions of the Articles or otherwise. Each Expense Advance will be unsecured and interest free and will be made by the Company upon a resolution of the Supervisory Board; provided , however , that an Expense Advance will be made only upon delivery to the Company of an undertaking (hereinafter an Undertaking ), in a form satisfactory to the Company, by or on behalf of Indemnitee, to immediately repay such Expense Advance if it is ultimately determined, by final and binding judgment by a court or arbitrator, as applicable, from which there is no further right to appeal, that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such Expenses under the Articles or Applicable Law. An Expense eligible for an Expense Advance will include any and all reasonable Expenses incurred pursuing an action to enforce the right of advancement provided for in this Article 4.
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4.2 Exclusions . Indemnitee will not be entitled to any Expense Advance in connection with any of the matters for which indemnity is excluded pursuant to Section 3.4.
4.3 Timing . An Expense Advance pursuant to Section 4.1 will be made within fifteen business days after the resolution of the Management Board is approved by the Supervisory Board with respect to such Expense Advance; provided , however , that no such Expense Advance will be made by the Company prior to receipt by the Company of the Undertaking.
ARTICLE 5
CONTRIBUTION IN THE EVENT OF JOINT LIABILITY
5.1 Contribution by Company . To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, will contribute to the amount of Expenses and Claims incurred or paid by Indemnitee in connection with any Legal Action in proportion to the relative benefits received by the Company and all officers, directors and employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee, on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, from the transaction from which such Legal Action arose; provided , however , that the proportion determined on the basis of relative benefit may, to the extent necessary to conform to law, be further adjusted by reference to the relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors and employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee, on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, in connection with the events that resulted in such Expenses and Claims, as well as any other equitable considerations which applicable law may require to be considered. The relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors and employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee, on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, will be determined by reference to, among other things, the degree to which their actions were motivated by intent to gain personal profit or advantage, the degree to which their liability is primary or secondary, and the degree to which their conduct was active or passive.
5.2 Indemnification for Contribution Claims by Others . To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, the indemnification herein will include claims of contribution which may be brought by other officers, directors or employees of the Company who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee for any Loss or Expense arising from a Legal Action.
ARTICLE 6
PROCEDURES AND PRESUMPTIONS FOR THE
DETERMINATION OF ENTITLEMENT TO INDEMNIFICATION
6.1 Notification of Claims; Request for Indemnification . Indemnitee agrees to notify promptly the Company in writing of any claim made against Indemnitee for which indemnification will or could be sought under this Agreement; provided , however , that a delay in giving such notice will not deprive Indemnitee of any right to be indemnified under this Agreement unless, and then only to the extent that, the Company did not otherwise learn of the
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Legal Action and such delay is materially prejudicial to the Companys ability to defend or to obtain coverage under the Companys Liability Insurance for such Legal Action; and, provided , further , that notice will be deemed to have been given without any action on the part of Indemnitee in the event the Company is a party to the same Legal Action. The omission to notify the Company will not relieve the Company from any liability for indemnification which it may have to Indemnitee otherwise than under this Agreement. Indemnitee may deliver to the Company a written request to have the Company indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee in accordance with this Agreement. Subject to Section 6.9, such request may be delivered from time to time and at such time(s) as Indemnitee deems appropriate in his or her sole discretion. Following such a written request for indemnification, Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification shall be determined according to Section 6.2. The Secretary of the Company will, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Management Board in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification. The Company will be entitled to participate in any Legal Action at its own expense.
6.2 Determination of Right to Indemnification . Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 6.1 hereof with respect to any Legal Action, a determination with respect to Indemnitees entitlement thereto will be made by one of the following, at the election of the Company: (1) so long as there are Disinterested Directors with respect to such Legal Action, a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Supervisory Board, (2) so long as there are Disinterested Directors with respect to such Legal Action, a committee of such Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of such Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Supervisory Board or (3) Independent Counsel in a written opinion delivered to the Supervisory Board, a copy of which will also be delivered to Indemnitee. The election by the Company to use a particular person, persons or entity to make such determination is to be included in a written notification to Indemnitee. The person, persons or entity chosen to make a determination under this Agreement of the Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification shall act reasonably and in good faith in making such determination.
6.3 Selection of Independent Counsel . If the determination of entitlement to indemnification pursuant to Section 6.2 will be made by an Independent Counsel, the Independent Counsel will be selected as provided in this Section 6.3. The Independent Counsel will be selected by the Company (unless the Company requests that such selection be made by the Indemnitee, in which event the immediately following sentence will apply), and the Company will give written notice to Indemnitee advising Indemnitee of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. If the Independent Counsel is selected by the Indemnitee, Indemnitee will give written notice to the Company advising of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. In either event, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within ten days after such written notice of selection is given, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided , however , that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of Independent Counsel as defined in this Agreement, and the objection will set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected will act as Independent Counsel. If a written objection is made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel selected may not serve as Independent Counsel
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unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within 30 days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 6.1, no Independent Counsel is selected, or an Independent Counsel for which an objection thereto has been properly made remains unresolved, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition a court of competent jurisdiction for resolution of any objection which has been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the others selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the court or by such other person as the court may designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed will act as Independent Counsel under Section 6.2. The Company will pay any and all reasonable and necessary fees and expenses incurred by such Independent Counsel in connection with acting pursuant to Section 6.2 hereof, and the Company will pay all fees and expenses incident to the procedures of this Section 6.3, regardless of the manner in which such Independent Counsel was selected or appointed.
6.4 Burden of Proof . In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person, persons or entity making such determination will presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption will have the burden of proof. Indemnitee will be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitees action with respect to a particular Enterprise is based on the records or books of account of such Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers of such Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for such Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to such Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected by such Enterprise; provided , however this sentence will not be deemed to limit in any way the other circumstances in which Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the appropriate standard of conduct and provided further that this sentence shall not excuse fraudulent or other knowing improper actions taken by Indemnitee. In addition, the knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, officer, agent or employee of such Enterprise will not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement.
6.5 No Presumption in Absence of a Determination or As Result of an Adverse Determination; Presumption Regarding Success . Neither the failure of any person, persons or entity chosen to make a determination as to whether Indemnitee has met any particular standard of conduct or had any particular belief to make such determination, nor an actual determination by such person, persons or entity that Indemnitee has not met such standard of conduct or did not have such belief, prior to or after the commencement of legal proceedings by Indemnitee to secure a judicial determination that Indemnitee should be indemnified under this Agreement under Applicable Law, will be a defense to Indemnitees claim or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met any particular standard of conduct or did not have any particular belief. In addition, the termination of any Legal Action by settlement approved by the Management Board and Supervisory Board (whether with or without court approval) or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or its equivalent, will not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet any particular standard of conduct or have any particular belief or that a court has determined that indemnification is not permitted by this Agreement or Applicable Law.
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6.6 Timing of Determination . The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to cause any determination required to be made pursuant to Section 6.2 to be made as promptly as practicable after Indemnitee has submitted a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 6.1.
6.7 Timing of Payments . All payments of Expenses, including any Expense Advance, and other amounts by the Company to the Indemnitee pursuant to this Agreement will be made as soon as practicable after a written request or demand therefor by Indemnitee is presented to the Company, but in no event later than 30 days after (i) such demand is presented or (ii) such later date as a determination of entitlement to indemnification is made in accordance with Section 6.6, if applicable; provided , however , that an Expense Advance will be made within the time provided in Section 4.3 hereof.
6.8 Cooperation . Indemnitee will cooperate with the person, persons or entity making a determination with respect to Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity, upon reasonable advance request, any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination will be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification).
6.9 Time for Submission of Request . Indemnitee will be required to submit any request for Indemnification pursuant to this Article 6 within a reasonable time, not to exceed two years, after any judgment, order, settlement, dismissal, arbitration award, conviction, acceptance of a plea of nolo contendere (or its equivalent) or other full or partial final determination or disposition of the Legal Action (with the latest date of the occurrence of any such event to be considered the commencement of the two year period).
ARTICLE 7
LIABILITY INSURANCE
7.1 Liability Insurance . The Company will use its reasonable endeavors to obtain and maintain a policy or policies of Liability Insurance with one or more reputable insurance companies providing Indemnitee with coverage in such amount as will be determined by the Supervisory Board for Claims and Expenses paid or incurred by Indemnitee as a result of acts or omissions of Indemnitee in his or her Corporate Status, and to ensure the Companys performance of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement, to the extent that a policy covering the indemnification obligations under this Agreement is reasonably attainable; provided , however , in all policies of director and officer liability insurance obtained by the Company, Indemnitee will be named as an Insured in such manner as to provide Indemnitee with the same rights and benefits as are afforded to the other directors or officers, as applicable, of the Company under such policies. Any reductions to the amount of director and officer liability insurance coverage maintained by the Company as of the date hereof will be subject to the approval of the Supervisory Board.
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7.2 Notice to Insurers . If, at the time of receipt by the Company of a notice from any source of a Legal Action as to which Indemnitee is a party or participant, the Company will give prompt notice of such Legal Action to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies, the Company will provide Indemnitee with a copy of such notice. The Company will thereafter take all necessary or desirable actions to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Legal Action in accordance with the terms of such policies.
7.3 Cooperation with Company . The Indemnitee will cooperate in all ways with the Company and its counsel and, if required by the Company, with the insurers issuing the Companys Liability Insurance, to the extent the Company deems such cooperation reasonably necessary in connection with the tender, evaluation, investigation, and pursuant of insurance coverage for any Legal Action.
ARTICLE 8
REMEDIES OF INDEMNITEE
8.1 Action by Indemnitee . In the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Article 6 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) an Expense Advance is not timely made pursuant to Section 4.3 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification is made within the applicable time periods specified in Section 6.6 or (iv) payment of indemnified amounts is not made within the applicable time periods specified in Section 6.7, Indemnitee will be entitled to seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the rules of the American Arbitration Association; such award to be made within 60 days following the filing of the demand for arbitration. The provisions of the laws of the State of Texas (without regard to its conflict of laws rules that would cause the application of the laws of another jurisdiction) will apply to any such arbitration. The Company will not oppose Indemnitees right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.
8.2 Company Bound by Favorable Determination by Reviewing Party . If a determination is made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification pursuant to Article 6, the Company will be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Article 8, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitees statements in connection with the request for indemnification not materially misleading or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under Applicable Law.
8.3 Company Bound by Provisions of this Agreement . The Company and Indemnitee will each be precluded from asserting in any judicial or arbitration proceeding commenced pursuant to this Article 8 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and will stipulate in any such judicial or arbitration proceeding that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.
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ARTICLE 9
NON-EXCLUSIVITY, SUBROGATION; NO DUPLICATIVE PAYMENTS
9.1 Non-Exclusivity . The rights of indemnification and to receive Expense Advances as provided by this Agreement are not exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under Applicable Law, the Articles, any agreement, a vote of stockholders, a resolution of the directors or otherwise. To the extent Indemnitee otherwise would have any greater right to indemnification or payment of any advancement of Expenses under any other provisions under Applicable Law, the Articles, any agreement, vote of stockholders, a resolution of directors or otherwise, Indemnitee will be entitled under this Agreement to such greater right. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof limits or restricts any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in Applicable Law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification than would be afforded currently under the Articles and this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy will be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, will not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.
9.2 Subrogation . In the event of any payment by the Company under this Agreement, the Company will be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee with respect thereto, including rights under any policy of insurance or other indemnity agreement or obligation, and Indemnitee will execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights (it being understood that all of Indemnitees reasonable Expenses related thereto will be borne by the Company).
9.3 No Duplicative Payments . The Company will not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable (or any Expense for which advancement is provided) hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee is otherwise entitled to receive such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise. The Companys obligation to indemnify or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee in respect of Legal Actions relating to Indemnitees service at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, trustee, fiduciary or agent of any other Enterprise will be reduced by any amount Indemnitee is actually entitled to receive as indemnification or advancement of Expenses from such other Enterprise. Subject to Section 4.1, the indemnity obligations of this Agreement shall apply in excess of the Companys Liability Insurance and to any other insurance or indemnities available to the Indemnitee.
ARTICLE 10
DEFENSE OF PROCEEDINGS
10.1 Company Assuming the Defense . In the event the Company is obligated to pay in advance the Expenses of any Legal Action pursuant to Article 4, the Company will be entitled,
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by written notice to Indemnitee, to assume the defense of such Legal Action, with counsel approved by Indemnitee, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The Company will identify the counsel it proposes to employ in connection with such defense as part of the written notice sent to Indemnitee notifying Indemnitee of the Companys election to assume such defense, and Indemnitee will be required, within ten days following Indemnitees receipt of such notice, to inform the Company of its approval of such counsel or, if it has objections, the reasons therefor. If such objections cannot be resolved by the parties, the Company will identify alternative counsel, which counsel will also be subject to approval by Indemnitee in accordance with the procedure described in the prior sentence. In the absence of an actual conflict of interest that would prevent defense counsel from representing both the Indemnitee and other defendants in the Legal Action, the Indemnitee agrees that the Company may assign defense counsel to represent Indemnitee and other defendants in that Legal Action.
10.2 Right of Indemnitee to Employ Counsel . Following approval of counsel by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 10.1 and retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any fees and expenses of counsel subsequently incurred by Indemnitee with respect to the same Legal Action; provided , however , that (a) Indemnitee has the right to employ counsel in any such Legal Action at Indemnitees expense and (b) the Company will be required to pay the fees and expenses of Indemnitees counsel if (i) the employment of counsel by Indemnitee is authorized by the Company, (ii) an actual conflict of interest arises between the Company (or any other person or persons included in a joint defense) and Indemnitee in the conduct of such defense or representation by such counsel retained by the Company and the Company has not appointed new counsel without such conflict of interest to represent the Indemnitee or (iii) the Company does not continue to retain such counsel approved by the Indemnitee and the Company has not appointed new counsel to represent the Indemnitee in accordance with Section 10.1.
ARTICLE 11
SETTLEMENT
11.1 Company Bound by Provisions of this Agreement . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company will have no obligation to indemnify Indemnitee under this Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of any Legal Action effected without the Companys prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
11.2 When Indemnitees Prior Consent Required . The Company will not, without the prior written consent of Indemnitee, consent to the entry of any judgment against Indemnitee or enter into any settlement or compromise which (i) contains any non-monetary remedy imposed on Indemnitee or a Loss for which Indemnitee is not wholly indemnified hereunder or (ii) with respect to any Legal Action with respect to which Indemnitee is made a party or a participant or is otherwise entitled to seek indemnification hereunder, does not include, as an unconditional term thereof, the full release of Indemnitee from all liability in respect of such Legal Action. Neither the Company nor Indemnitee will unreasonably withhold its consent to any proposed settlement; provided , however , Indemnitee may withhold consent to any settlement that does not provide a full and unconditional release of Indemnitee from all liability in respect of such Legal Action.
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ARTICLE 12
DURATION OF AGREEMENT; PERIOD OF LIMITATIONS
12.1 Duration of Agreement . This Agreement will continue until and terminate upon the latest of (a) the statute of limitations applicable to any claim that could be asserted against an Indemnitee with respect to which Indemnitee may be entitled to indemnification and/or an Expense Advance under this Agreement, (b) ten years after the date that Indemnitee has ceased to serve as a director or officer of the Company or as a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, fiduciary or agent of any other Enterprise which Indemnitee served at the request of the Company, or (c) if, at the later of the dates referred to in (a) and (b) above, there is pending a Legal Action in respect of which Indemnitee is granted rights of indemnification or the right to an Expense Advance under this Agreement or a Legal Action commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Article 8 of this Agreement, one year after the final termination of such Legal Action, including any and all appeals.
ARTICLE 13
MISCELLANEOUS
13.1 Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties in respect of the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, to the extent they relate in any way to the subject matter hereof; provided , however , it is agreed that the provisions contained in this Agreement are a supplement to, and not a substitute for, any provisions regarding the same subject matter contained in the Articles and any employment or similar agreement between the parties.
13.2 Assignment; Binding Effect; Third Party Beneficiaries . No party may assign either this Agreement or any of its rights, interests or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the other party and any such assignment by a party without prior written approval of the other parties will be deemed invalid and not binding on such other parties. All of the terms, agreements, covenants, representations, warranties and conditions of this Agreement are binding upon, and inure to the benefit of and are enforceable by, the parties and their respective successors, permitted assigns, heirs, executors and personal and legal representatives. There are no third party beneficiaries having rights under or with respect to this Agreement.
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13.3 Notices . All notices, requests and other communications provided for or permitted to be given under this Agreement must be in writing and be given by personal delivery, by certified or registered mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested), by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service for next day delivery, or by facsimile transmission, as follows (or to such other address as any party may give in a notice given in accordance with the provisions hereof):
If to the Company:
Franks International N.V.
Prins Bernhardplein 200
1097 JB Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Attention: Brian D. Baird
Facsimile: (281) 558-2980
with a copy to:
Franks International N.V.
10260 Westheimer Rd.
Houston, Texas 77042
Attention: Brian D. Baird
Facsimile: (281) 558-2980
If to Indemnitee:
Donald Keith Mosing
10260 Westheimer, Suite 700
Houston, TX 77042
Facsimile: (281) 558-2980
All notices, requests or other communications will be effective and deemed given only as follows: (i) if given by personal delivery, upon such personal delivery, (ii) if sent by certified or registered mail, on the fifth business day after being deposited in the United States mail, (iii) if sent for next day delivery by overnight delivery service, on the date of delivery as confirmed by written confirmation of delivery, (iv) if sent by facsimile, upon the transmitters confirmation of receipt of such facsimile transmission, except that if such confirmation is received after 5:00 p.m. (in the recipients time zone) on a business day, or is received on a day that is not a business day, then such notice, request or communication will not be deemed effective or given until the next succeeding business day. Notices, requests and other communications sent in any other manner, including by electronic mail, will not be effective.
13.4 Specific Performance; Remedies . Each party acknowledges and agrees that the other party would be damaged irreparably if any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with its specific terms or were otherwise breached. Accordingly, the parties will be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of the provisions of this Agreement and to enforce specifically this Agreement and its provisions in any action or proceeding instituted in any court having jurisdiction over the parties and the matter, in addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled, at law or in equity. Except as expressly provided for herein, the rights, obligations and remedies created by this Agreement are cumulative and in addition to any other rights, obligations or remedies otherwise available at law or in equity. Except as expressly provided herein, nothing herein will be considered an election of remedies.
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13.5 Submission to Jurisdiction . Any Legal Action seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection with, this Agreement may only be brought in any courts in the State of Texas, which will be the exclusive and only proper forums for adjudicating such Legal Action, and each party consents to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of such courts (and of the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such Legal Action and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such Legal Action in any such court or that any such Legal Action brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Process in any such action, suit or proceeding may be served on any party anywhere in the world, whether within or without the jurisdiction of any such court.
13.6 Headings . The article and section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and will not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
13.7 Governing Law . This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without giving effect to any choice of law principles.
13.8 Amendment . This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by a writing signed by all of the parties.
13.9 Extensions; Waivers . Any party may, for itself only, (i) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations of any other party under this Agreement, (ii) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of any other party contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto and (iii) waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions for the benefit of such party contained herein. Any such extension or waiver will be valid only if set forth in a writing signed by the party to be bound thereby. No waiver by any party of any default, misrepresentation or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder, whether intentional or not, may be deemed to extend to any prior or subsequent default, misrepresentation or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder or affect in any way any rights arising because of any prior or subsequent such occurrence. Neither the failure nor any delay on the part of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise of any right or remedy preclude any other or further exercise of the same or of any other right or remedy.
13.10 Severability . The provisions of this Agreement will be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision will not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof; provided that if any provision of this Agreement, as applied to any party or to any circumstance, is judicially determined not to be enforceable in accordance with its terms, the parties agree that the court judicially making such determination may modify the provision in a manner consistent with its objectives such that it is enforceable, and/or to delete specific words or phrases, and in its modified form, such provision will then be enforceable and will be enforced.
13.11 Counterparts; Effectiveness . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original but all of which together will constitute
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one and the same instrument. This Agreement will become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties, which delivery may be made by exchange of copies of the signature page by facsimile or other electronic transmission.
13.12 Construction . This Agreement has been freely and fairly negotiated among the parties. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any party because of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement. Any reference to any law will be deemed also to refer to such law as amended and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context requires otherwise. The words include, includes, and including will be deemed to be followed by without limitation. Pronouns in masculine, feminine, and neuter genders will be construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular form will be construed to include the plural and vice versa, unless the context otherwise requires. The words this Agreement, herein, hereof, hereby, hereunder, and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited. The parties intend that each representation, warranty, and covenant contained herein will have independent significance. If any party has breached any representation, warranty, or covenant contained herein in any respect, the fact that there exists another representation, warranty or covenant relating to the same subject matter (regardless of the relative levels of specificity) which the party has not breached will not detract from or mitigate the fact that the party is in breach of the first representation, warranty, or covenant. Time is of the essence in the performance of this Agreement.
[Signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL N.V. | ||
By: |
/s/ Brian D. Baird |
|
Name: | Brian D. Baird | |
Title: | Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary | |
Indemnitee | ||
/s/ D. Keith Mosing |
||
Signature | ||
Name: | D. Keith Mosing |
Exhibit 10.10
Execution Version
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
This Indemnification Agreement (this Agreement ) dated the 14th day of August, 2013, by and between Franks International N.V., a public limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands (the Company ), and Brian D. Baird, an individual ( Indemnitee ).
RECITALS
A. Competent and experienced persons may be reluctant to serve or to continue to serve as directors, officers or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or indemnification (or both) against claims against them arising out of their service and activities on behalf of the corporation.
B. The current uncertainties relating to the availability of adequate insurance have increased the difficulty of attracting and retaining competent and experienced persons to serve in such capacity.
C. The supervisory board of the Company (the Supervisory Board ) has determined that the continuation of present trends in litigation will make it more difficult to attract and retain competent and experienced persons to serve as directors of the Company, that this situation is detrimental to the best interests of the Companys stockholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of adequate protection in the future.
D. As a supplement to and in the furtherance of the Companys Articles of Association, as amended (the Articles ), it is reasonable, prudent, desirable and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, and to pay in advance expenses on behalf of, directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, consistent with the Companys Liability Insurance, so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from concern that they will not be so indemnified and that their expenses will not be so paid in advance;
E. This Agreement is not a substitute for, nor is it intended to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee under, Liability Insurance, the Articles, any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto (including any contractual rights of Indemnitee that may exist) or otherwise;
F. Indemnitee is a director or officer of the Company and his or her willingness to continue to serve in such capacity is predicated, in substantial part, upon the Companys willingness to indemnify him or her to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, consistent with the Companys Liability Insurance, and upon the other undertakings set forth in this Agreement.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Agreement have the meanings set forth below:
Applicable Law means the laws of The Netherlands.
Claims means any and all liabilities, claims, judgments, fines (including excise taxes and penalties assessed with respect to employee benefit plans), penalties and all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of any of the foregoing.
Corporate Status means the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, trustee, fiduciary or agent of the Company or of any other Enterprise which such person is or was serving at the request of the Company. In addition to any service at the actual request of the Company, Indemnitee will be deemed, for purposes of this Agreement, to be serving or to have served at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, trustee, fiduciary or agent of another Enterprise if Indemnitee is or was serving as a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, fiduciary, trustee or agent of such Enterprise and (i) such Enterprise is or at the time of such service was a Controlled Affiliate, (ii) such Enterprise is or at the time of such service was an employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or a Controlled Affiliate or (iii) the Company or a Controlled Affiliate caused Indemnitee to be nominated, elected, appointed, designated, employed, engaged or selected to serve in such capacity on its behalf.
Controlled Affiliate means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other Enterprise, whether or not for profit, that is directly or indirectly controlled by the Company. For purposes of this definition, the term control means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct, or cause the direction of, the management or policies of an Enterprise, whether through the ownership of voting securities, through other voting rights, by contract or otherwise; provided , however , that direct or indirect beneficial ownership of capital stock or other interests in an Enterprise entitling the holder to cast 10% or more of the total number of votes generally entitled to be cast in the election of directors (or persons performing comparable functions) of such Enterprise will be deemed to constitute control for purposes of this definition.
Disinterested Director means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Legal Action, decision or Enterprise action in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.
Enterprise means the Company and any other corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, employee benefit plan, trust or other entity or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company in a Corporate Status.
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Expenses means all reasonable expenses, including attorneys fees and litigation costs, paid or incurred in connection with a Legal Action, or in connection with seeking indemnification under this Agreement. Expenses will also include Expenses reasonably paid or incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Legal Action. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Companys obligation to pay Expenses is limited to Expenses incurred after written notice is given to the Company of a Legal Action. When a Legal Action subject to the indemnity obligation in this Agreement presents both matters that are covered by the indemnity obligation and matters that are not, Expenses shall refer solely to Expenses incurred for the defense of those parts of the Legal Action that are covered by the indemnity obligation in this Agreement
Independent Counsel means an attorney or firm of attorneys that is experienced in matters of corporation law in the appropriate jurisdictions and neither currently is, nor in the past five (5) years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning the Indemnitee under this Agreement and/or the indemnification provisions of the Articles, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Legal Action giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term Independent Counsel does not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitees rights under this Agreement.
Legal Action means any expected, threatened, pending or completed action, investigation, or other proceeding, whether civil, criminal or administrative, and in each case commenced after the date of this Agreement, in which Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party or otherwise, by reason of or relating to Indemnitees Corporate Status and by reason of or relating to either (i) any action or alleged action taken by Indemnitee (or failure or alleged failure to act) or of any action or alleged action (or failure or alleged failure to act) on Indemnitees part, while acting in his or her Corporate Status or (ii) the fact that Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, trustee, fiduciary or agent of another Enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any Loss or Expense is paid or incurred for which indemnification or advancement of Expenses can be provided under this Agreement, except one initiated by Indemnitee to enforce his or her rights under this Agreement.
Liability Insurance means such director and officer liability insurance (or the equivalent), which the Company purchases for the benefit of its directors and officers.
Management Board means the management board of the Company.
Person shall be construed broadly and shall include, without limitation, an individual, a partnership, stichting , commanditaire vennootschap , besloten vennootschap , a limited liability company, a corporation, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization and a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.
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References to serving at the request of the Company include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to any employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan will be deemed to have acted in a manner not opposed to the best interests of the Company as referred to under applicable law or in this Agreement.
ARTICLE 2
SERVICES TO THE COMPANY
2.1 Services to the Company . Indemnitee agrees to serve as an officer or as a director on the Companys Supervisory Board. Indemnitee may at any time and for any reason resign from such position (subject to any other contractual obligation or any obligation imposed by operation of law), in which event the Company will have no obligation under this Agreement to continue Indemnitee in such position. This Agreement will not be construed as giving Indemnitee any right to be retained as an officer, as a director on the Companys Supervisory Board or in any other position with the Company (or any other Enterprise).
ARTICLE 3
INDEMNIFICATION
3.1 Company Indemnification . Except as otherwise provided in this Article 3, if Indemnitee was, is or becomes a party to, or was or is threatened to be made a party to, or was or is otherwise involved in, any Legal Action, the Company will indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by the Articles and Applicable Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, interpreted or replaced, against any and all Expenses, Claims or amounts paid in settlement, and any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, that are paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Legal Action.
3.2 Mandatory Indemnification if Indemnitee is Wholly or Partly Successful . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (other than Section 6.9), to the extent that Indemnitee has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in defense of any Legal Action or any part thereof, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses that are paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Legal Action, but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but fewer than all Claims, issues or matters in such Legal Action, the Company will indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee against all Expenses paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with each successfully resolved Claim, issue or matter on which Indemnitee was successful. For purposes of this Section 3.2, the termination of any Legal Action, or any Claim, issue or matter in such Legal Action, by dismissal with or without prejudice will be deemed to be a successful result as to such Legal Action, Claim, issue or matter.
3.3 Indemnification for Expenses of a Witness . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his or her Corporate Status, a witness in any Legal Action to which Indemnitee is not a party, the Company will advance all reasonable expenses and indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses paid or incurred by Indemnitee on his or her behalf in connection therewith.
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3.4 Exclusions . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company will not be obligated under this Agreement to provide indemnification in connection with the following:
(a) Any Legal Action (or part of any Legal Action) initiated or brought voluntarily by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnities, unless the Management Board has authorized or consented to the initiation of the Legal Action (or such part of any Legal Action) with approval of the Supervisory Board.
(b) An accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any similar successor statute or for any Claims to the extent that they represent the gain in fact of any profit or advantage to which the Indemnitee is not legally entitled.
(c) If a court of competent jurisdiction has made a final and binding judgment that the act or omission of the Indemnitee can be characterized as a result of willful misconduct ( opzet ), willful recklessness ( bewuste roekeloosheid ) or serious culpability ( ernstig verwijt ) under Applicable Law.
(d) For any Legal Action arising out of, based upon or attributable to the committing in fact by the Indemnitee of any deliberate criminal or deliberate fraudulent act.
ARTICLE 4
ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES
4.1 Expense Advances . Except as set forth in Section 4.2, the Company will, if requested by Indemnitee, advance, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, to Indemnitee (hereinafter an Expense Advance ) any and all Expenses paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Legal Action (whether prior to or after its final disposition). Indemnitees right to each Expense Advance will be subject to the requirements of the next sentence but not otherwise subject to the satisfaction of any standard of conduct and will be made without regard to Indemnitees ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement, or under provisions of the Articles or otherwise. Each Expense Advance will be unsecured and interest free and will be made by the Company upon a resolution of the Supervisory Board; provided , however , that an Expense Advance will be made only upon delivery to the Company of an undertaking (hereinafter an Undertaking ), in a form satisfactory to the Company, by or on behalf of Indemnitee, to immediately repay such Expense Advance if it is ultimately determined, by final and binding judgment by a court or arbitrator, as applicable, from which there is no further right to appeal, that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such Expenses under the Articles or Applicable Law. An Expense eligible for an Expense Advance will include any and all reasonable Expenses incurred pursuing an action to enforce the right of advancement provided for in this Article 4.
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4.2 Exclusions . Indemnitee will not be entitled to any Expense Advance in connection with any of the matters for which indemnity is excluded pursuant to Section 3.4.
4.3 Timing . An Expense Advance pursuant to Section 4.1 will be made within fifteen business days after the resolution of the Management Board is approved by the Supervisory Board with respect to such Expense Advance; provided , however , that no such Expense Advance will be made by the Company prior to receipt by the Company of the Undertaking.
ARTICLE 5
CONTRIBUTION IN THE EVENT OF JOINT LIABILITY
5.1 Contribution by Company . To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, will contribute to the amount of Expenses and Claims incurred or paid by Indemnitee in connection with any Legal Action in proportion to the relative benefits received by the Company and all officers, directors and employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee, on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, from the transaction from which such Legal Action arose; provided , however , that the proportion determined on the basis of relative benefit may, to the extent necessary to conform to law, be further adjusted by reference to the relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors and employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee, on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, in connection with the events that resulted in such Expenses and Claims, as well as any other equitable considerations which applicable law may require to be considered. The relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors and employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee, on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, will be determined by reference to, among other things, the degree to which their actions were motivated by intent to gain personal profit or advantage, the degree to which their liability is primary or secondary, and the degree to which their conduct was active or passive.
5.2 Indemnification for Contribution Claims by Others . To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, the indemnification herein will include claims of contribution which may be brought by other officers, directors or employees of the Company who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee for any Loss or Expense arising from a Legal Action.
ARTICLE 6
PROCEDURES AND PRESUMPTIONS FOR THE
DETERMINATION OF ENTITLEMENT TO INDEMNIFICATION
6.1 Notification of Claims; Request for Indemnification . Indemnitee agrees to notify promptly the Company in writing of any claim made against Indemnitee for which indemnification will or could be sought under this Agreement; provided , however , that a delay in giving such notice will not deprive Indemnitee of any right to be indemnified under this Agreement unless, and then only to the extent that, the Company did not otherwise learn of the
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Legal Action and such delay is materially prejudicial to the Companys ability to defend or to obtain coverage under the Companys Liability Insurance for such Legal Action; and, provided , further , that notice will be deemed to have been given without any action on the part of Indemnitee in the event the Company is a party to the same Legal Action. The omission to notify the Company will not relieve the Company from any liability for indemnification which it may have to Indemnitee otherwise than under this Agreement. Indemnitee may deliver to the Company a written request to have the Company indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee in accordance with this Agreement. Subject to Section 6.9, such request may be delivered from time to time and at such time(s) as Indemnitee deems appropriate in his or her sole discretion. Following such a written request for indemnification, Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification shall be determined according to Section 6.2. The Secretary of the Company will, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Management Board in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification. The Company will be entitled to participate in any Legal Action at its own expense.
6.2 Determination of Right to Indemnification . Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 6.1 hereof with respect to any Legal Action, a determination with respect to Indemnitees entitlement thereto will be made by one of the following, at the election of the Company: (1) so long as there are Disinterested Directors with respect to such Legal Action, a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Supervisory Board, (2) so long as there are Disinterested Directors with respect to such Legal Action, a committee of such Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of such Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Supervisory Board or (3) Independent Counsel in a written opinion delivered to the Supervisory Board, a copy of which will also be delivered to Indemnitee. The election by the Company to use a particular person, persons or entity to make such determination is to be included in a written notification to Indemnitee. The person, persons or entity chosen to make a determination under this Agreement of the Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification shall act reasonably and in good faith in making such determination.
6.3 Selection of Independent Counsel . If the determination of entitlement to indemnification pursuant to Section 6.2 will be made by an Independent Counsel, the Independent Counsel will be selected as provided in this Section 6.3. The Independent Counsel will be selected by the Company (unless the Company requests that such selection be made by the Indemnitee, in which event the immediately following sentence will apply), and the Company will give written notice to Indemnitee advising Indemnitee of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. If the Independent Counsel is selected by the Indemnitee, Indemnitee will give written notice to the Company advising of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. In either event, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within ten days after such written notice of selection is given, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided , however , that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of Independent Counsel as defined in this Agreement, and the objection will set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected will act as Independent Counsel. If a written objection is made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel selected may not serve as Independent Counsel
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unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within 30 days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 6.1, no Independent Counsel is selected, or an Independent Counsel for which an objection thereto has been properly made remains unresolved, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition a court of competent jurisdiction for resolution of any objection which has been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the others selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the court or by such other person as the court may designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed will act as Independent Counsel under Section 6.2. The Company will pay any and all reasonable and necessary fees and expenses incurred by such Independent Counsel in connection with acting pursuant to Section 6.2 hereof, and the Company will pay all fees and expenses incident to the procedures of this Section 6.3, regardless of the manner in which such Independent Counsel was selected or appointed.
6.4 Burden of Proof . In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person, persons or entity making such determination will presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption will have the burden of proof. Indemnitee will be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitees action with respect to a particular Enterprise is based on the records or books of account of such Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers of such Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for such Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to such Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected by such Enterprise; provided , however this sentence will not be deemed to limit in any way the other circumstances in which Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the appropriate standard of conduct and provided further that this sentence shall not excuse fraudulent or other knowing improper actions taken by Indemnitee. In addition, the knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, officer, agent or employee of such Enterprise will not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement.
6.5 No Presumption in Absence of a Determination or As Result of an Adverse Determination; Presumption Regarding Success . Neither the failure of any person, persons or entity chosen to make a determination as to whether Indemnitee has met any particular standard of conduct or had any particular belief to make such determination, nor an actual determination by such person, persons or entity that Indemnitee has not met such standard of conduct or did not have such belief, prior to or after the commencement of legal proceedings by Indemnitee to secure a judicial determination that Indemnitee should be indemnified under this Agreement under Applicable Law, will be a defense to Indemnitees claim or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met any particular standard of conduct or did not have any particular belief. In addition, the termination of any Legal Action by settlement approved by the Management Board and Supervisory Board (whether with or without court approval) or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or its equivalent, will not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet any particular standard of conduct or have any particular belief or that a court has determined that indemnification is not permitted by this Agreement or Applicable Law.
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6.6 Timing of Determination . The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to cause any determination required to be made pursuant to Section 6.2 to be made as promptly as practicable after Indemnitee has submitted a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 6.1.
6.7 Timing of Payments . All payments of Expenses, including any Expense Advance, and other amounts by the Company to the Indemnitee pursuant to this Agreement will be made as soon as practicable after a written request or demand therefor by Indemnitee is presented to the Company, but in no event later than 30 days after (i) such demand is presented or (ii) such later date as a determination of entitlement to indemnification is made in accordance with Section 6.6, if applicable; provided , however , that an Expense Advance will be made within the time provided in Section 4.3 hereof.
6.8 Cooperation . Indemnitee will cooperate with the person, persons or entity making a determination with respect to Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity, upon reasonable advance request, any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination will be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification).
6.9 Time for Submission of Request . Indemnitee will be required to submit any request for Indemnification pursuant to this Article 6 within a reasonable time, not to exceed two years, after any judgment, order, settlement, dismissal, arbitration award, conviction, acceptance of a plea of nolo contendere (or its equivalent) or other full or partial final determination or disposition of the Legal Action (with the latest date of the occurrence of any such event to be considered the commencement of the two year period).
ARTICLE 7
LIABILITY INSURANCE
7.1 Liability Insurance . The Company will use its reasonable endeavors to obtain and maintain a policy or policies of Liability Insurance with one or more reputable insurance companies providing Indemnitee with coverage in such amount as will be determined by the Supervisory Board for Claims and Expenses paid or incurred by Indemnitee as a result of acts or omissions of Indemnitee in his or her Corporate Status, and to ensure the Companys performance of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement, to the extent that a policy covering the indemnification obligations under this Agreement is reasonably attainable; provided , however , in all policies of director and officer liability insurance obtained by the Company, Indemnitee will be named as an Insured in such manner as to provide Indemnitee with the same rights and benefits as are afforded to the other directors or officers, as applicable, of the Company under such policies. Any reductions to the amount of director and officer liability insurance coverage maintained by the Company as of the date hereof will be subject to the approval of the Supervisory Board.
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7.2 Notice to Insurers . If, at the time of receipt by the Company of a notice from any source of a Legal Action as to which Indemnitee is a party or participant, the Company will give prompt notice of such Legal Action to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies, the Company will provide Indemnitee with a copy of such notice. The Company will thereafter take all necessary or desirable actions to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Legal Action in accordance with the terms of such policies.
7.3 Cooperation with Company . The Indemnitee will cooperate in all ways with the Company and its counsel and, if required by the Company, with the insurers issuing the Companys Liability Insurance, to the extent the Company deems such cooperation reasonably necessary in connection with the tender, evaluation, investigation, and pursuant of insurance coverage for any Legal Action.
ARTICLE 8
REMEDIES OF INDEMNITEE
8.1 Action by Indemnitee . In the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Article 6 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) an Expense Advance is not timely made pursuant to Section 4.3 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification is made within the applicable time periods specified in Section 6.6 or (iv) payment of indemnified amounts is not made within the applicable time periods specified in Section 6.7, Indemnitee will be entitled to seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the rules of the American Arbitration Association; such award to be made within 60 days following the filing of the demand for arbitration. The provisions of the laws of the State of Texas (without regard to its conflict of laws rules that would cause the application of the laws of another jurisdiction) will apply to any such arbitration. The Company will not oppose Indemnitees right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.
8.2 Company Bound by Favorable Determination by Reviewing Party . If a determination is made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification pursuant to Article 6, the Company will be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Article 8, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitees statements in connection with the request for indemnification not materially misleading or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under Applicable Law.
8.3 Company Bound by Provisions of this Agreement . The Company and Indemnitee will each be precluded from asserting in any judicial or arbitration proceeding commenced pursuant to this Article 8 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and will stipulate in any such judicial or arbitration proceeding that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.
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ARTICLE 9
NON-EXCLUSIVITY, SUBROGATION; NO DUPLICATIVE PAYMENTS
9.1 Non-Exclusivity . The rights of indemnification and to receive Expense Advances as provided by this Agreement are not exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under Applicable Law, the Articles, any agreement, a vote of stockholders, a resolution of the directors or otherwise. To the extent Indemnitee otherwise would have any greater right to indemnification or payment of any advancement of Expenses under any other provisions under Applicable Law, the Articles, any agreement, vote of stockholders, a resolution of directors or otherwise, Indemnitee will be entitled under this Agreement to such greater right. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof limits or restricts any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in Applicable Law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification than would be afforded currently under the Articles and this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy will be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, will not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.
9.2 Subrogation . In the event of any payment by the Company under this Agreement, the Company will be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee with respect thereto, including rights under any policy of insurance or other indemnity agreement or obligation, and Indemnitee will execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights (it being understood that all of Indemnitees reasonable Expenses related thereto will be borne by the Company).
9.3 No Duplicative Payments . The Company will not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable (or any Expense for which advancement is provided) hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee is otherwise entitled to receive such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise. The Companys obligation to indemnify or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee in respect of Legal Actions relating to Indemnitees service at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, trustee, fiduciary or agent of any other Enterprise will be reduced by any amount Indemnitee is actually entitled to receive as indemnification or advancement of Expenses from such other Enterprise. Subject to Section 4.1, the indemnity obligations of this Agreement shall apply in excess of the Companys Liability Insurance and to any other insurance or indemnities available to the Indemnitee.
ARTICLE 10
DEFENSE OF PROCEEDINGS
10.1 Company Assuming the Defense . In the event the Company is obligated to pay in advance the Expenses of any Legal Action pursuant to Article 4, the Company will be entitled,
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by written notice to Indemnitee, to assume the defense of such Legal Action, with counsel approved by Indemnitee, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The Company will identify the counsel it proposes to employ in connection with such defense as part of the written notice sent to Indemnitee notifying Indemnitee of the Companys election to assume such defense, and Indemnitee will be required, within ten days following Indemnitees receipt of such notice, to inform the Company of its approval of such counsel or, if it has objections, the reasons therefor. If such objections cannot be resolved by the parties, the Company will identify alternative counsel, which counsel will also be subject to approval by Indemnitee in accordance with the procedure described in the prior sentence. In the absence of an actual conflict of interest that would prevent defense counsel from representing both the Indemnitee and other defendants in the Legal Action, the Indemnitee agrees that the Company may assign defense counsel to represent Indemnitee and other defendants in that Legal Action.
10.2 Right of Indemnitee to Employ Counsel . Following approval of counsel by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 10.1 and retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any fees and expenses of counsel subsequently incurred by Indemnitee with respect to the same Legal Action; provided , however , that (a) Indemnitee has the right to employ counsel in any such Legal Action at Indemnitees expense and (b) the Company will be required to pay the fees and expenses of Indemnitees counsel if (i) the employment of counsel by Indemnitee is authorized by the Company, (ii) an actual conflict of interest arises between the Company (or any other person or persons included in a joint defense) and Indemnitee in the conduct of such defense or representation by such counsel retained by the Company and the Company has not appointed new counsel without such conflict of interest to represent the Indemnitee or (iii) the Company does not continue to retain such counsel approved by the Indemnitee and the Company has not appointed new counsel to represent the Indemnitee in accordance with Section 10.1.
ARTICLE 11
SETTLEMENT
11.1 Company Bound by Provisions of this Agreement . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company will have no obligation to indemnify Indemnitee under this Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of any Legal Action effected without the Companys prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
11.2 When Indemnitees Prior Consent Required . The Company will not, without the prior written consent of Indemnitee, consent to the entry of any judgment against Indemnitee or enter into any settlement or compromise which (i) contains any non-monetary remedy imposed on Indemnitee or a Loss for which Indemnitee is not wholly indemnified hereunder or (ii) with respect to any Legal Action with respect to which Indemnitee is made a party or a participant or is otherwise entitled to seek indemnification hereunder, does not include, as an unconditional term thereof, the full release of Indemnitee from all liability in respect of such Legal Action. Neither the Company nor Indemnitee will unreasonably withhold its consent to any proposed settlement; provided , however , Indemnitee may withhold consent to any settlement that does not provide a full and unconditional release of Indemnitee from all liability in respect of such Legal Action.
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ARTICLE 12
DURATION OF AGREEMENT; PERIOD OF LIMITATIONS
12.1 Duration of Agreement . This Agreement will continue until and terminate upon the latest of (a) the statute of limitations applicable to any claim that could be asserted against an Indemnitee with respect to which Indemnitee may be entitled to indemnification and/or an Expense Advance under this Agreement, (b) ten years after the date that Indemnitee has ceased to serve as a director or officer of the Company or as a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, fiduciary or agent of any other Enterprise which Indemnitee served at the request of the Company, or (c) if, at the later of the dates referred to in (a) and (b) above, there is pending a Legal Action in respect of which Indemnitee is granted rights of indemnification or the right to an Expense Advance under this Agreement or a Legal Action commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Article 8 of this Agreement, one year after the final termination of such Legal Action, including any and all appeals.
ARTICLE 13
MISCELLANEOUS
13.1 Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties in respect of the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, to the extent they relate in any way to the subject matter hereof; provided , however , it is agreed that the provisions contained in this Agreement are a supplement to, and not a substitute for, any provisions regarding the same subject matter contained in the Articles and any employment or similar agreement between the parties.
13.2 Assignment; Binding Effect; Third Party Beneficiaries . No party may assign either this Agreement or any of its rights, interests or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the other party and any such assignment by a party without prior written approval of the other parties will be deemed invalid and not binding on such other parties. All of the terms, agreements, covenants, representations, warranties and conditions of this Agreement are binding upon, and inure to the benefit of and are enforceable by, the parties and their respective successors, permitted assigns, heirs, executors and personal and legal representatives. There are no third party beneficiaries having rights under or with respect to this Agreement.
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13.3 Notices . All notices, requests and other communications provided for or permitted to be given under this Agreement must be in writing and be given by personal delivery, by certified or registered mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested), by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service for next day delivery, or by facsimile transmission, as follows (or to such other address as any party may give in a notice given in accordance with the provisions hereof):
If to the Company:
Franks International N.V.
Prins Bernhardplein 200
1097 JB Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Attention: Brian D. Baird
Facsimile: (281) 558-2980
with a copy to:
Franks International N.V.
10260 Westheimer Rd.
Houston, Texas 77042
Attention: Brian D. Baird
Facsimile: (281) 558-2980
If to Indemnitee:
Brian D. Baird
10260 Westheimer, Suite 700
Houston, TX 77042
Facsimile: (281) 558-2980
All notices, requests or other communications will be effective and deemed given only as follows: (i) if given by personal delivery, upon such personal delivery, (ii) if sent by certified or registered mail, on the fifth business day after being deposited in the United States mail, (iii) if sent for next day delivery by overnight delivery service, on the date of delivery as confirmed by written confirmation of delivery, (iv) if sent by facsimile, upon the transmitters confirmation of receipt of such facsimile transmission, except that if such confirmation is received after 5:00 p.m. (in the recipients time zone) on a business day, or is received on a day that is not a business day, then such notice, request or communication will not be deemed effective or given until the next succeeding business day. Notices, requests and other communications sent in any other manner, including by electronic mail, will not be effective.
13.4 Specific Performance; Remedies . Each party acknowledges and agrees that the other party would be damaged irreparably if any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with its specific terms or were otherwise breached. Accordingly, the parties will be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of the provisions of this Agreement and to enforce specifically this Agreement and its provisions in any action or proceeding instituted in any court having jurisdiction over the parties and the matter, in addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled, at law or in equity. Except as expressly provided for herein, the rights, obligations and remedies created by this Agreement are cumulative and in addition to any other rights, obligations or remedies otherwise available at law or in equity. Except as expressly provided herein, nothing herein will be considered an election of remedies.
13.5 Submission to Jurisdiction . Any Legal Action seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection with, this Agreement may only be
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brought in any courts in the State of Texas, which will be the exclusive and only proper forums for adjudicating such Legal Action, and each party consents to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of such courts (and of the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such Legal Action and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such Legal Action in any such court or that any such Legal Action brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Process in any such action, suit or proceeding may be served on any party anywhere in the world, whether within or without the jurisdiction of any such court.
13.6 Headings . The article and section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and will not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
13.7 Governing Law . This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without giving effect to any choice of law principles.
13.8 Amendment . This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by a writing signed by all of the parties.
13.9 Extensions; Waivers . Any party may, for itself only, (i) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations of any other party under this Agreement, (ii) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of any other party contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto and (iii) waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions for the benefit of such party contained herein. Any such extension or waiver will be valid only if set forth in a writing signed by the party to be bound thereby. No waiver by any party of any default, misrepresentation or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder, whether intentional or not, may be deemed to extend to any prior or subsequent default, misrepresentation or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder or affect in any way any rights arising because of any prior or subsequent such occurrence. Neither the failure nor any delay on the part of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise of any right or remedy preclude any other or further exercise of the same or of any other right or remedy.
13.10 Severability . The provisions of this Agreement will be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision will not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof; provided that if any provision of this Agreement, as applied to any party or to any circumstance, is judicially determined not to be enforceable in accordance with its terms, the parties agree that the court judicially making such determination may modify the provision in a manner consistent with its objectives such that it is enforceable, and/or to delete specific words or phrases, and in its modified form, such provision will then be enforceable and will be enforced.
13.11 Counterparts; Effectiveness . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement will become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties, which delivery may be made by exchange of copies of the signature page by facsimile or other electronic transmission.
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13.12 Construction . This Agreement has been freely and fairly negotiated among the parties. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any party because of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement. Any reference to any law will be deemed also to refer to such law as amended and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context requires otherwise. The words include, includes, and including will be deemed to be followed by without limitation. Pronouns in masculine, feminine, and neuter genders will be construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular form will be construed to include the plural and vice versa, unless the context otherwise requires. The words this Agreement, herein, hereof, hereby, hereunder, and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited. The parties intend that each representation, warranty, and covenant contained herein will have independent significance. If any party has breached any representation, warranty, or covenant contained herein in any respect, the fact that there exists another representation, warranty or covenant relating to the same subject matter (regardless of the relative levels of specificity) which the party has not breached will not detract from or mitigate the fact that the party is in breach of the first representation, warranty, or covenant. Time is of the essence in the performance of this Agreement.
[Signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL N.V. | ||
By: |
/s/ D. Keith Mosing |
|
Name: | D. Keith Mosing | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer and President | |
Indemnitee | ||
/s/ Brian D. Baird |
||
Signature | ||
Name: | Brian D. Baird |
Exhibit 10.11
Execution Version
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
This Indemnification Agreement (this Agreement ) dated the 14th day of August, 2013, by and between Franks International N.V., a public limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands (the Company ), and C. Michael Webre, an individual ( Indemnitee ).
RECITALS
A. Competent and experienced persons may be reluctant to serve or to continue to serve as directors, officers or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or indemnification (or both) against claims against them arising out of their service and activities on behalf of the corporation.
B. The current uncertainties relating to the availability of adequate insurance have increased the difficulty of attracting and retaining competent and experienced persons to serve in such capacity.
C. The supervisory board of the Company (the Supervisory Board ) has determined that the continuation of present trends in litigation will make it more difficult to attract and retain competent and experienced persons to serve as directors of the Company, that this situation is detrimental to the best interests of the Companys stockholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of adequate protection in the future.
D. As a supplement to and in the furtherance of the Companys Articles of Association, as amended (the Articles ), it is reasonable, prudent, desirable and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, and to pay in advance expenses on behalf of, directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, consistent with the Companys Liability Insurance, so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from concern that they will not be so indemnified and that their expenses will not be so paid in advance;
E. This Agreement is not a substitute for, nor is it intended to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee under, Liability Insurance, the Articles, any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto (including any contractual rights of Indemnitee that may exist) or otherwise;
F. Indemnitee is a director or officer of the Company and his or her willingness to continue to serve in such capacity is predicated, in substantial part, upon the Companys willingness to indemnify him or her to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, consistent with the Companys Liability Insurance, and upon the other undertakings set forth in this Agreement.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Agreement have the meanings set forth below:
Applicable Law means the laws of The Netherlands.
Claims means any and all liabilities, claims, judgments, fines (including excise taxes and penalties assessed with respect to employee benefit plans), penalties and all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of any of the foregoing.
Corporate Status means the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, trustee, fiduciary or agent of the Company or of any other Enterprise which such person is or was serving at the request of the Company. In addition to any service at the actual request of the Company, Indemnitee will be deemed, for purposes of this Agreement, to be serving or to have served at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, trustee, fiduciary or agent of another Enterprise if Indemnitee is or was serving as a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, fiduciary, trustee or agent of such Enterprise and (i) such Enterprise is or at the time of such service was a Controlled Affiliate, (ii) such Enterprise is or at the time of such service was an employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or a Controlled Affiliate or (iii) the Company or a Controlled Affiliate caused Indemnitee to be nominated, elected, appointed, designated, employed, engaged or selected to serve in such capacity on its behalf.
Controlled Affiliate means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other Enterprise, whether or not for profit, that is directly or indirectly controlled by the Company. For purposes of this definition, the term control means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct, or cause the direction of, the management or policies of an Enterprise, whether through the ownership of voting securities, through other voting rights, by contract or otherwise; provided , however , that direct or indirect beneficial ownership of capital stock or other interests in an Enterprise entitling the holder to cast 10% or more of the total number of votes generally entitled to be cast in the election of directors (or persons performing comparable functions) of such Enterprise will be deemed to constitute control for purposes of this definition.
Disinterested Director means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Legal Action, decision or Enterprise action in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.
Enterprise means the Company and any other corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, employee benefit plan, trust or other entity or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company in a Corporate Status.
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Expenses means all reasonable expenses, including attorneys fees and litigation costs, paid or incurred in connection with a Legal Action, or in connection with seeking indemnification under this Agreement. Expenses will also include Expenses reasonably paid or incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Legal Action. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Companys obligation to pay Expenses is limited to Expenses incurred after written notice is given to the Company of a Legal Action. When a Legal Action subject to the indemnity obligation in this Agreement presents both matters that are covered by the indemnity obligation and matters that are not, Expenses shall refer solely to Expenses incurred for the defense of those parts of the Legal Action that are covered by the indemnity obligation in this Agreement
Independent Counsel means an attorney or firm of attorneys that is experienced in matters of corporation law in the appropriate jurisdictions and neither currently is, nor in the past five (5) years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning the Indemnitee under this Agreement and/or the indemnification provisions of the Articles, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Legal Action giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term Independent Counsel does not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitees rights under this Agreement.
Legal Action means any expected, threatened, pending or completed action, investigation, or other proceeding, whether civil, criminal or administrative, and in each case commenced after the date of this Agreement, in which Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party or otherwise, by reason of or relating to Indemnitees Corporate Status and by reason of or relating to either (i) any action or alleged action taken by Indemnitee (or failure or alleged failure to act) or of any action or alleged action (or failure or alleged failure to act) on Indemnitees part, while acting in his or her Corporate Status or (ii) the fact that Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, trustee, fiduciary or agent of another Enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any Loss or Expense is paid or incurred for which indemnification or advancement of Expenses can be provided under this Agreement, except one initiated by Indemnitee to enforce his or her rights under this Agreement.
Liability Insurance means such director and officer liability insurance (or the equivalent), which the Company purchases for the benefit of its directors and officers.
Management Board means the management board of the Company.
Person shall be construed broadly and shall include, without limitation, an individual, a partnership, stichting , commanditaire vennootschap , besloten vennootschap , a limited liability company, a corporation, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization and a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.
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References to serving at the request of the Company include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to any employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan will be deemed to have acted in a manner not opposed to the best interests of the Company as referred to under applicable law or in this Agreement.
ARTICLE 2
SERVICES TO THE COMPANY
2.1 Services to the Company . Indemnitee agrees to serve as an officer or as a director on the Companys Supervisory Board. Indemnitee may at any time and for any reason resign from such position (subject to any other contractual obligation or any obligation imposed by operation of law), in which event the Company will have no obligation under this Agreement to continue Indemnitee in such position. This Agreement will not be construed as giving Indemnitee any right to be retained as an officer, as a director on the Companys Supervisory Board or in any other position with the Company (or any other Enterprise).
ARTICLE 3
INDEMNIFICATION
3.1 Company Indemnification . Except as otherwise provided in this Article 3, if Indemnitee was, is or becomes a party to, or was or is threatened to be made a party to, or was or is otherwise involved in, any Legal Action, the Company will indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by the Articles and Applicable Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, interpreted or replaced, against any and all Expenses, Claims or amounts paid in settlement, and any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, that are paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Legal Action.
3.2 Mandatory Indemnification if Indemnitee is Wholly or Partly Successful . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (other than Section 6.9), to the extent that Indemnitee has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in defense of any Legal Action or any part thereof, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses that are paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Legal Action, but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but fewer than all Claims, issues or matters in such Legal Action, the Company will indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee against all Expenses paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with each successfully resolved Claim, issue or matter on which Indemnitee was successful. For purposes of this Section 3.2, the termination of any Legal Action, or any Claim, issue or matter in such Legal Action, by dismissal with or without prejudice will be deemed to be a successful result as to such Legal Action, Claim, issue or matter.
3.3 Indemnification for Expenses of a Witness . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his or her Corporate Status, a witness in any Legal Action to which Indemnitee is not a party, the Company will advance all reasonable expenses and indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses paid or incurred by Indemnitee on his or her behalf in connection therewith.
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3.4 Exclusions . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company will not be obligated under this Agreement to provide indemnification in connection with the following:
(a) Any Legal Action (or part of any Legal Action) initiated or brought voluntarily by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnities, unless the Management Board has authorized or consented to the initiation of the Legal Action (or such part of any Legal Action) with approval of the Supervisory Board.
(b) An accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any similar successor statute or for any Claims to the extent that they represent the gain in fact of any profit or advantage to which the Indemnitee is not legally entitled.
(c) If a court of competent jurisdiction has made a final and binding judgment that the act or omission of the Indemnitee can be characterized as a result of willful misconduct ( opzet ), willful recklessness ( bewuste roekeloosheid ) or serious culpability ( ernstig verwijt ) under Applicable Law.
(d) For any Legal Action arising out of, based upon or attributable to the committing in fact by the Indemnitee of any deliberate criminal or deliberate fraudulent act.
ARTICLE 4
ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES
4.1 Expense Advances . Except as set forth in Section 4.2, the Company will, if requested by Indemnitee, advance, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, to Indemnitee (hereinafter an Expense Advance ) any and all Expenses paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Legal Action (whether prior to or after its final disposition). Indemnitees right to each Expense Advance will be subject to the requirements of the next sentence but not otherwise subject to the satisfaction of any standard of conduct and will be made without regard to Indemnitees ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement, or under provisions of the Articles or otherwise. Each Expense Advance will be unsecured and interest free and will be made by the Company upon a resolution of the Supervisory Board; provided , however , that an Expense Advance will be made only upon delivery to the Company of an undertaking (hereinafter an Undertaking ), in a form satisfactory to the Company, by or on behalf of Indemnitee, to immediately repay such Expense Advance if it is ultimately determined, by final and binding judgment by a court or arbitrator, as applicable, from which there is no further right to appeal, that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such Expenses under the Articles or Applicable Law. An Expense eligible for an Expense Advance will include any and all reasonable Expenses incurred pursuing an action to enforce the right of advancement provided for in this Article 4.
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4.2 Exclusions . Indemnitee will not be entitled to any Expense Advance in connection with any of the matters for which indemnity is excluded pursuant to Section 3.4.
4.3 Timing . An Expense Advance pursuant to Section 4.1 will be made within fifteen business days after the resolution of the Management Board is approved by the Supervisory Board with respect to such Expense Advance; provided , however , that no such Expense Advance will be made by the Company prior to receipt by the Company of the Undertaking.
ARTICLE 5
CONTRIBUTION IN THE EVENT OF JOINT LIABILITY
5.1 Contribution by Company . To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, will contribute to the amount of Expenses and Claims incurred or paid by Indemnitee in connection with any Legal Action in proportion to the relative benefits received by the Company and all officers, directors and employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee, on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, from the transaction from which such Legal Action arose; provided , however , that the proportion determined on the basis of relative benefit may, to the extent necessary to conform to law, be further adjusted by reference to the relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors and employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee, on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, in connection with the events that resulted in such Expenses and Claims, as well as any other equitable considerations which applicable law may require to be considered. The relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors and employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee, on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, will be determined by reference to, among other things, the degree to which their actions were motivated by intent to gain personal profit or advantage, the degree to which their liability is primary or secondary, and the degree to which their conduct was active or passive.
5.2 Indemnification for Contribution Claims by Others . To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, the indemnification herein will include claims of contribution which may be brought by other officers, directors or employees of the Company who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee for any Loss or Expense arising from a Legal Action.
ARTICLE 6
PROCEDURES AND PRESUMPTIONS FOR THE
DETERMINATION OF ENTITLEMENT TO INDEMNIFICATION
6.1 Notification of Claims; Request for Indemnification . Indemnitee agrees to notify promptly the Company in writing of any claim made against Indemnitee for which indemnification will or could be sought under this Agreement; provided , however , that a delay in giving such notice will not deprive Indemnitee of any right to be indemnified under this Agreement unless, and then only to the extent that, the Company did not otherwise learn of the
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Legal Action and such delay is materially prejudicial to the Companys ability to defend or to obtain coverage under the Companys Liability Insurance for such Legal Action; and, provided, further , that notice will be deemed to have been given without any action on the part of Indemnitee in the event the Company is a party to the same Legal Action. The omission to notify the Company will not relieve the Company from any liability for indemnification which it may have to Indemnitee otherwise than under this Agreement. Indemnitee may deliver to the Company a written request to have the Company indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee in accordance with this Agreement. Subject to Section 6.9, such request may be delivered from time to time and at such time(s) as Indemnitee deems appropriate in his or her sole discretion. Following such a written request for indemnification, Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification shall be determined according to Section 6.2. The Secretary of the Company will, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Management Board in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification. The Company will be entitled to participate in any Legal Action at its own expense.
6.2 Determination of Right to Indemnification . Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 6.1 hereof with respect to any Legal Action, a determination with respect to Indemnitees entitlement thereto will be made by one of the following, at the election of the Company: (1) so long as there are Disinterested Directors with respect to such Legal Action, a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Supervisory Board, (2) so long as there are Disinterested Directors with respect to such Legal Action, a committee of such Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of such Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Supervisory Board or (3) Independent Counsel in a written opinion delivered to the Supervisory Board, a copy of which will also be delivered to Indemnitee. The election by the Company to use a particular person, persons or entity to make such determination is to be included in a written notification to Indemnitee. The person, persons or entity chosen to make a determination under this Agreement of the Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification shall act reasonably and in good faith in making such determination.
6.3 Selection of Independent Counsel . If the determination of entitlement to indemnification pursuant to Section 6.2 will be made by an Independent Counsel, the Independent Counsel will be selected as provided in this Section 6.3. The Independent Counsel will be selected by the Company (unless the Company requests that such selection be made by the Indemnitee, in which event the immediately following sentence will apply), and the Company will give written notice to Indemnitee advising Indemnitee of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. If the Independent Counsel is selected by the Indemnitee, Indemnitee will give written notice to the Company advising of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. In either event, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within ten days after such written notice of selection is given, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided , however , that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of Independent Counsel as defined in this Agreement, and the objection will set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected will act as Independent Counsel. If a written objection is made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel selected may not serve as Independent Counsel
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unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within 30 days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 6.1, no Independent Counsel is selected, or an Independent Counsel for which an objection thereto has been properly made remains unresolved, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition a court of competent jurisdiction for resolution of any objection which has been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the others selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the court or by such other person as the court may designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed will act as Independent Counsel under Section 6.2. The Company will pay any and all reasonable and necessary fees and expenses incurred by such Independent Counsel in connection with acting pursuant to Section 6.2 hereof, and the Company will pay all fees and expenses incident to the procedures of this Section 6.3, regardless of the manner in which such Independent Counsel was selected or appointed.
6.4 Burden of Proof . In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person, persons or entity making such determination will presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption will have the burden of proof. Indemnitee will be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitees action with respect to a particular Enterprise is based on the records or books of account of such Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers of such Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for such Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to such Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected by such Enterprise; provided , however this sentence will not be deemed to limit in any way the other circumstances in which Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the appropriate standard of conduct and provided further that this sentence shall not excuse fraudulent or other knowing improper actions taken by Indemnitee. In addition, the knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, officer, agent or employee of such Enterprise will not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement.
6.5 No Presumption in Absence of a Determination or As Result of an Adverse Determination; Presumption Regarding Success . Neither the failure of any person, persons or entity chosen to make a determination as to whether Indemnitee has met any particular standard of conduct or had any particular belief to make such determination, nor an actual determination by such person, persons or entity that Indemnitee has not met such standard of conduct or did not have such belief, prior to or after the commencement of legal proceedings by Indemnitee to secure a judicial determination that Indemnitee should be indemnified under this Agreement under Applicable Law, will be a defense to Indemnitees claim or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met any particular standard of conduct or did not have any particular belief. In addition, the termination of any Legal Action by settlement approved by the Management Board and Supervisory Board (whether with or without court approval) or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or its equivalent, will not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet any particular standard of conduct or have any particular belief or that a court has determined that indemnification is not permitted by this Agreement or Applicable Law.
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6.6 Timing of Determination . The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to cause any determination required to be made pursuant to Section 6.2 to be made as promptly as practicable after Indemnitee has submitted a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 6.1.
6.7 Timing of Payments . All payments of Expenses, including any Expense Advance, and other amounts by the Company to the Indemnitee pursuant to this Agreement will be made as soon as practicable after a written request or demand therefor by Indemnitee is presented to the Company, but in no event later than 30 days after (i) such demand is presented or (ii) such later date as a determination of entitlement to indemnification is made in accordance with Section 6.6, if applicable; provided , however , that an Expense Advance will be made within the time provided in Section 4.3 hereof.
6.8 Cooperation . Indemnitee will cooperate with the person, persons or entity making a determination with respect to Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity, upon reasonable advance request, any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination will be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification).
6.9 Time for Submission of Request . Indemnitee will be required to submit any request for Indemnification pursuant to this Article 6 within a reasonable time, not to exceed two years, after any judgment, order, settlement, dismissal, arbitration award, conviction, acceptance of a plea of nolo contendere (or its equivalent) or other full or partial final determination or disposition of the Legal Action (with the latest date of the occurrence of any such event to be considered the commencement of the two year period).
ARTICLE 7
LIABILITY INSURANCE
7.1 Liability Insurance . The Company will use its reasonable endeavors to obtain and maintain a policy or policies of Liability Insurance with one or more reputable insurance companies providing Indemnitee with coverage in such amount as will be determined by the Supervisory Board for Claims and Expenses paid or incurred by Indemnitee as a result of acts or omissions of Indemnitee in his or her Corporate Status, and to ensure the Companys performance of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement, to the extent that a policy covering the indemnification obligations under this Agreement is reasonably attainable; provided , however , in all policies of director and officer liability insurance obtained by the Company, Indemnitee will be named as an Insured in such manner as to provide Indemnitee with the same rights and benefits as are afforded to the other directors or officers, as applicable, of the Company under such policies. Any reductions to the amount of director and officer liability insurance coverage maintained by the Company as of the date hereof will be subject to the approval of the Supervisory Board.
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7.2 Notice to Insurers . If, at the time of receipt by the Company of a notice from any source of a Legal Action as to which Indemnitee is a party or participant, the Company will give prompt notice of such Legal Action to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies, the Company will provide Indemnitee with a copy of such notice. The Company will thereafter take all necessary or desirable actions to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Legal Action in accordance with the terms of such policies.
7.3 Cooperation with Company . The Indemnitee will cooperate in all ways with the Company and its counsel and, if required by the Company, with the insurers issuing the Companys Liability Insurance, to the extent the Company deems such cooperation reasonably necessary in connection with the tender, evaluation, investigation, and pursuant of insurance coverage for any Legal Action.
ARTICLE 8
REMEDIES OF INDEMNITEE
8.1 Action by Indemnitee . In the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Article 6 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) an Expense Advance is not timely made pursuant to Section 4.3 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification is made within the applicable time periods specified in Section 6.6 or (iv) payment of indemnified amounts is not made within the applicable time periods specified in Section 6.7, Indemnitee will be entitled to seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the rules of the American Arbitration Association; such award to be made within 60 days following the filing of the demand for arbitration. The provisions of the laws of the State of Texas (without regard to its conflict of laws rules that would cause the application of the laws of another jurisdiction) will apply to any such arbitration. The Company will not oppose Indemnitees right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.
8.2 Company Bound by Favorable Determination by Reviewing Party . If a determination is made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification pursuant to Article 6, the Company will be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Article 8, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitees statements in connection with the request for indemnification not materially misleading or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under Applicable Law.
8.3 Company Bound by Provisions of this Agreement . The Company and Indemnitee will each be precluded from asserting in any judicial or arbitration proceeding commenced pursuant to this Article 8 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and will stipulate in any such judicial or arbitration proceeding that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.
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ARTICLE 9
NON-EXCLUSIVITY, SUBROGATION; NO DUPLICATIVE PAYMENTS
9.1 Non-Exclusivity . The rights of indemnification and to receive Expense Advances as provided by this Agreement are not exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under Applicable Law, the Articles, any agreement, a vote of stockholders, a resolution of the directors or otherwise. To the extent Indemnitee otherwise would have any greater right to indemnification or payment of any advancement of Expenses under any other provisions under Applicable Law, the Articles, any agreement, vote of stockholders, a resolution of directors or otherwise, Indemnitee will be entitled under this Agreement to such greater right. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof limits or restricts any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in Applicable Law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification than would be afforded currently under the Articles and this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy will be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, will not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.
9.2 Subrogation . In the event of any payment by the Company under this Agreement, the Company will be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee with respect thereto, including rights under any policy of insurance or other indemnity agreement or obligation, and Indemnitee will execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights (it being understood that all of Indemnitees reasonable Expenses related thereto will be borne by the Company).
9.3 No Duplicative Payments . The Company will not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable (or any Expense for which advancement is provided) hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee is otherwise entitled to receive such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise. The Companys obligation to indemnify or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee in respect of Legal Actions relating to Indemnitees service at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, trustee, fiduciary or agent of any other Enterprise will be reduced by any amount Indemnitee is actually entitled to receive as indemnification or advancement of Expenses from such other Enterprise. Subject to Section 4.1, the indemnity obligations of this Agreement shall apply in excess of the Companys Liability Insurance and to any other insurance or indemnities available to the Indemnitee.
ARTICLE 10
DEFENSE OF PROCEEDINGS
10.1 Company Assuming the Defense . In the event the Company is obligated to pay in advance the Expenses of any Legal Action pursuant to Article 4, the Company will be entitled,
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by written notice to Indemnitee, to assume the defense of such Legal Action, with counsel approved by Indemnitee, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The Company will identify the counsel it proposes to employ in connection with such defense as part of the written notice sent to Indemnitee notifying Indemnitee of the Companys election to assume such defense, and Indemnitee will be required, within ten days following Indemnitees receipt of such notice, to inform the Company of its approval of such counsel or, if it has objections, the reasons therefor. If such objections cannot be resolved by the parties, the Company will identify alternative counsel, which counsel will also be subject to approval by Indemnitee in accordance with the procedure described in the prior sentence. In the absence of an actual conflict of interest that would prevent defense counsel from representing both the Indemnitee and other defendants in the Legal Action, the Indemnitee agrees that the Company may assign defense counsel to represent Indemnitee and other defendants in that Legal Action.
10.2 Right of Indemnitee to Employ Counsel . Following approval of counsel by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 10.1 and retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any fees and expenses of counsel subsequently incurred by Indemnitee with respect to the same Legal Action; provided , however , that (a) Indemnitee has the right to employ counsel in any such Legal Action at Indemnitees expense and (b) the Company will be required to pay the fees and expenses of Indemnitees counsel if (i) the employment of counsel by Indemnitee is authorized by the Company, (ii) an actual conflict of interest arises between the Company (or any other person or persons included in a joint defense) and Indemnitee in the conduct of such defense or representation by such counsel retained by the Company and the Company has not appointed new counsel without such conflict of interest to represent the Indemnitee or (iii) the Company does not continue to retain such counsel approved by the Indemnitee and the Company has not appointed new counsel to represent the Indemnitee in accordance with Section 10.1.
ARTICLE 11
SETTLEMENT
11.1 Company Bound by Provisions of this Agreement . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company will have no obligation to indemnify Indemnitee under this Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of any Legal Action effected without the Companys prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
11.2 When Indemnitees Prior Consent Required . The Company will not, without the prior written consent of Indemnitee, consent to the entry of any judgment against Indemnitee or enter into any settlement or compromise which (i) contains any non-monetary remedy imposed on Indemnitee or a Loss for which Indemnitee is not wholly indemnified hereunder or (ii) with respect to any Legal Action with respect to which Indemnitee is made a party or a participant or is otherwise entitled to seek indemnification hereunder, does not include, as an unconditional term thereof, the full release of Indemnitee from all liability in respect of such Legal Action. Neither the Company nor Indemnitee will unreasonably withhold its consent to any proposed settlement; provided , however , Indemnitee may withhold consent to any settlement that does not provide a full and unconditional release of Indemnitee from all liability in respect of such Legal Action.
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ARTICLE 12
DURATION OF AGREEMENT; PERIOD OF LIMITATIONS
12.1 Duration of Agreement . This Agreement will continue until and terminate upon the latest of (a) the statute of limitations applicable to any claim that could be asserted against an Indemnitee with respect to which Indemnitee may be entitled to indemnification and/or an Expense Advance under this Agreement, (b) ten years after the date that Indemnitee has ceased to serve as a director or officer of the Company or as a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, fiduciary or agent of any other Enterprise which Indemnitee served at the request of the Company, or (c) if, at the later of the dates referred to in (a) and (b) above, there is pending a Legal Action in respect of which Indemnitee is granted rights of indemnification or the right to an Expense Advance under this Agreement or a Legal Action commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Article 8 of this Agreement, one year after the final termination of such Legal Action, including any and all appeals.
ARTICLE 13
MISCELLANEOUS
13.1 Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties in respect of the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, to the extent they relate in any way to the subject matter hereof; provided , however , it is agreed that the provisions contained in this Agreement are a supplement to, and not a substitute for, any provisions regarding the same subject matter contained in the Articles and any employment or similar agreement between the parties.
13.2 Assignment; Binding Effect; Third Party Beneficiaries . No party may assign either this Agreement or any of its rights, interests or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the other party and any such assignment by a party without prior written approval of the other parties will be deemed invalid and not binding on such other parties. All of the terms, agreements, covenants, representations, warranties and conditions of this Agreement are binding upon, and inure to the benefit of and are enforceable by, the parties and their respective successors, permitted assigns, heirs, executors and personal and legal representatives. There are no third party beneficiaries having rights under or with respect to this Agreement.
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13.3 Notices . All notices, requests and other communications provided for or permitted to be given under this Agreement must be in writing and be given by personal delivery, by certified or registered mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested), by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service for next day delivery, or by facsimile transmission, as follows (or to such other address as any party may give in a notice given in accordance with the provisions hereof):
If to the Company:
Franks International N.V.
Prins Bernhardplein 200
1097 JB Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Attention: Brian D. Baird
Facsimile: (281) 558-2980
with a copy to:
Franks International N.V.
10260 Westheimer Rd.
Houston, Texas 77042
Attention: Brian D. Baird
Facsimile: (281) 558-2980
If to Indemnitee:
C. Michael Webre
700 E. Verot School Road
Lafayette, LA 70508
Facsimile: (337) 233-2629
All notices, requests or other communications will be effective and deemed given only as follows: (i) if given by personal delivery, upon such personal delivery, (ii) if sent by certified or registered mail, on the fifth business day after being deposited in the United States mail, (iii) if sent for next day delivery by overnight delivery service, on the date of delivery as confirmed by written confirmation of delivery, (iv) if sent by facsimile, upon the transmitters confirmation of receipt of such facsimile transmission, except that if such confirmation is received after 5:00 p.m. (in the recipients time zone) on a business day, or is received on a day that is not a business day, then such notice, request or communication will not be deemed effective or given until the next succeeding business day. Notices, requests and other communications sent in any other manner, including by electronic mail, will not be effective.
13.4 Specific Performance; Remedies . Each party acknowledges and agrees that the other party would be damaged irreparably if any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with its specific terms or were otherwise breached. Accordingly, the parties will be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of the provisions of this Agreement and to enforce specifically this Agreement and its provisions in any action or proceeding instituted in any court having jurisdiction over the parties and the matter, in addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled, at law or in equity. Except as expressly provided for herein, the rights, obligations and remedies created by this Agreement are cumulative and in addition to any other rights, obligations or remedies otherwise available at law or in equity. Except as expressly provided herein, nothing herein will be considered an election of remedies.
13.5 Submission to Jurisdiction . Any Legal Action seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection with, this Agreement may only be
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brought in any courts in the State of Texas, which will be the exclusive and only proper forums for adjudicating such Legal Action, and each party consents to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of such courts (and of the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such Legal Action and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such Legal Action in any such court or that any such Legal Action brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Process in any such action, suit or proceeding may be served on any party anywhere in the world, whether within or without the jurisdiction of any such court.
13.6 Headings . The article and section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and will not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
13.7 Governing Law . This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without giving effect to any choice of law principles.
13.8 Amendment . This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by a writing signed by all of the parties.
13.9 Extensions; Waivers . Any party may, for itself only, (i) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations of any other party under this Agreement, (ii) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of any other party contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto and (iii) waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions for the benefit of such party contained herein. Any such extension or waiver will be valid only if set forth in a writing signed by the party to be bound thereby. No waiver by any party of any default, misrepresentation or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder, whether intentional or not, may be deemed to extend to any prior or subsequent default, misrepresentation or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder or affect in any way any rights arising because of any prior or subsequent such occurrence. Neither the failure nor any delay on the part of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise of any right or remedy preclude any other or further exercise of the same or of any other right or remedy.
13.10 Severability . The provisions of this Agreement will be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision will not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof; provided that if any provision of this Agreement, as applied to any party or to any circumstance, is judicially determined not to be enforceable in accordance with its terms, the parties agree that the court judicially making such determination may modify the provision in a manner consistent with its objectives such that it is enforceable, and/or to delete specific words or phrases, and in its modified form, such provision will then be enforceable and will be enforced.
13.11 Counterparts; Effectiveness . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement will become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties, which delivery may be made by exchange of copies of the signature page by facsimile or other electronic transmission.
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13.12 Construction . This Agreement has been freely and fairly negotiated among the parties. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any party because of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement. Any reference to any law will be deemed also to refer to such law as amended and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context requires otherwise. The words include, includes, and including will be deemed to be followed by without limitation. Pronouns in masculine, feminine, and neuter genders will be construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular form will be construed to include the plural and vice versa, unless the context otherwise requires. The words this Agreement, herein, hereof, hereby, hereunder, and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited. The parties intend that each representation, warranty, and covenant contained herein will have independent significance. If any party has breached any representation, warranty, or covenant contained herein in any respect, the fact that there exists another representation, warranty or covenant relating to the same subject matter (regardless of the relative levels of specificity) which the party has not breached will not detract from or mitigate the fact that the party is in breach of the first representation, warranty, or covenant. Time is of the essence in the performance of this Agreement.
[Signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL N.V. | ||
By: |
/s/ Brian D. Baird |
|
Name: | Brian D. Baird | |
Title: | Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary | |
Indemnitee | ||
/s/ C. Michael Webre |
||
Signature | ||
Name: | C. Michael Webre |
Exhibit 10.12
Execution Version
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
This Indemnification Agreement (this Agreement ) dated the 14th day of August, 2013, by and between Franks International N.V., a public limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands (the Company ), and Kirkland D. Mosing, an individual ( Indemnitee ).
RECITALS
A. Competent and experienced persons may be reluctant to serve or to continue to serve as directors, officers or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or indemnification (or both) against claims against them arising out of their service and activities on behalf of the corporation.
B. The current uncertainties relating to the availability of adequate insurance have increased the difficulty of attracting and retaining competent and experienced persons to serve in such capacity.
C. The supervisory board of the Company (the Supervisory Board ) has determined that the continuation of present trends in litigation will make it more difficult to attract and retain competent and experienced persons to serve as directors of the Company, that this situation is detrimental to the best interests of the Companys stockholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of adequate protection in the future.
D. As a supplement to and in the furtherance of the Companys Articles of Association, as amended (the Articles ), it is reasonable, prudent, desirable and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, and to pay in advance expenses on behalf of, directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, consistent with the Companys Liability Insurance, so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from concern that they will not be so indemnified and that their expenses will not be so paid in advance;
E. This Agreement is not a substitute for, nor is it intended to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee under, Liability Insurance, the Articles, any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto (including any contractual rights of Indemnitee that may exist) or otherwise;
F. Indemnitee is a director or officer of the Company and his or her willingness to continue to serve in such capacity is predicated, in substantial part, upon the Companys willingness to indemnify him or her to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, consistent with the Companys Liability Insurance, and upon the other undertakings set forth in this Agreement.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Agreement have the meanings set forth below:
Applicable Law means the laws of The Netherlands.
Claims means any and all liabilities, claims, judgments, fines (including excise taxes and penalties assessed with respect to employee benefit plans), penalties and all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of any of the foregoing.
Corporate Status means the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, trustee, fiduciary or agent of the Company or of any other Enterprise which such person is or was serving at the request of the Company. In addition to any service at the actual request of the Company, Indemnitee will be deemed, for purposes of this Agreement, to be serving or to have served at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, trustee, fiduciary or agent of another Enterprise if Indemnitee is or was serving as a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, fiduciary, trustee or agent of such Enterprise and (i) such Enterprise is or at the time of such service was a Controlled Affiliate, (ii) such Enterprise is or at the time of such service was an employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or a Controlled Affiliate or (iii) the Company or a Controlled Affiliate caused Indemnitee to be nominated, elected, appointed, designated, employed, engaged or selected to serve in such capacity on its behalf.
Controlled Affiliate means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other Enterprise, whether or not for profit, that is directly or indirectly controlled by the Company. For purposes of this definition, the term control means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct, or cause the direction of, the management or policies of an Enterprise, whether through the ownership of voting securities, through other voting rights, by contract or otherwise; provided , however , that direct or indirect beneficial ownership of capital stock or other interests in an Enterprise entitling the holder to cast 10% or more of the total number of votes generally entitled to be cast in the election of directors (or persons performing comparable functions) of such Enterprise will be deemed to constitute control for purposes of this definition.
Disinterested Director means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Legal Action, decision or Enterprise action in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.
Enterprise means the Company and any other corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, employee benefit plan, trust or other entity or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company in a Corporate Status.
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Expenses means all reasonable expenses, including attorneys fees and litigation costs, paid or incurred in connection with a Legal Action, or in connection with seeking indemnification under this Agreement. Expenses will also include Expenses reasonably paid or incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Legal Action. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Companys obligation to pay Expenses is limited to Expenses incurred after written notice is given to the Company of a Legal Action. When a Legal Action subject to the indemnity obligation in this Agreement presents both matters that are covered by the indemnity obligation and matters that are not, Expenses shall refer solely to Expenses incurred for the defense of those parts of the Legal Action that are covered by the indemnity obligation in this Agreement
Independent Counsel means an attorney or firm of attorneys that is experienced in matters of corporation law in the appropriate jurisdictions and neither currently is, nor in the past five (5) years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning the Indemnitee under this Agreement and/or the indemnification provisions of the Articles, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Legal Action giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term Independent Counsel does not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitees rights under this Agreement.
Legal Action means any expected, threatened, pending or completed action, investigation, or other proceeding, whether civil, criminal or administrative, and in each case commenced after the date of this Agreement, in which Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party or otherwise, by reason of or relating to Indemnitees Corporate Status and by reason of or relating to either (i) any action or alleged action taken by Indemnitee (or failure or alleged failure to act) or of any action or alleged action (or failure or alleged failure to act) on Indemnitees part, while acting in his or her Corporate Status or (ii) the fact that Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, trustee, fiduciary or agent of another Enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any Loss or Expense is paid or incurred for which indemnification or advancement of Expenses can be provided under this Agreement, except one initiated by Indemnitee to enforce his or her rights under this Agreement.
Liability Insurance means such director and officer liability insurance (or the equivalent), which the Company purchases for the benefit of its directors and officers.
Management Board means the management board of the Company.
Person shall be construed broadly and shall include, without limitation, an individual, a partnership, stichting , commanditaire vennootschap , besloten vennootschap , a limited liability company, a corporation, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization and a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.
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References to serving at the request of the Company include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to any employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan will be deemed to have acted in a manner not opposed to the best interests of the Company as referred to under applicable law or in this Agreement.
ARTICLE 2
SERVICES TO THE COMPANY
2.1 Services to the Company . Indemnitee agrees to serve as an officer or as a director on the Companys Supervisory Board. Indemnitee may at any time and for any reason resign from such position (subject to any other contractual obligation or any obligation imposed by operation of law), in which event the Company will have no obligation under this Agreement to continue Indemnitee in such position. This Agreement will not be construed as giving Indemnitee any right to be retained as an officer, as a director on the Companys Supervisory Board or in any other position with the Company (or any other Enterprise).
ARTICLE 3
INDEMNIFICATION
3.1 Company Indemnification . Except as otherwise provided in this Article 3, if Indemnitee was, is or becomes a party to, or was or is threatened to be made a party to, or was or is otherwise involved in, any Legal Action, the Company will indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by the Articles and Applicable Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, interpreted or replaced, against any and all Expenses, Claims or amounts paid in settlement, and any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, that are paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Legal Action.
3.2 Mandatory Indemnification if Indemnitee is Wholly or Partly Successful . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (other than Section 6.9), to the extent that Indemnitee has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in defense of any Legal Action or any part thereof, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses that are paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Legal Action, but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but fewer than all Claims, issues or matters in such Legal Action, the Company will indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee against all Expenses paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with each successfully resolved Claim, issue or matter on which Indemnitee was successful. For purposes of this Section 3.2, the termination of any Legal Action, or any Claim, issue or matter in such Legal Action, by dismissal with or without prejudice will be deemed to be a successful result as to such Legal Action, Claim, issue or matter.
3.3 Indemnification for Expenses of a Witness . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his or her Corporate Status, a witness in any Legal Action to which Indemnitee is not a party, the Company will advance all reasonable expenses and indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses paid or incurred by Indemnitee on his or her behalf in connection therewith.
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3.4 Exclusions . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company will not be obligated under this Agreement to provide indemnification in connection with the following:
(a) Any Legal Action (or part of any Legal Action) initiated or brought voluntarily by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnities, unless the Management Board has authorized or consented to the initiation of the Legal Action (or such part of any Legal Action) with approval of the Supervisory Board.
(b) An accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any similar successor statute or for any Claims to the extent that they represent the gain in fact of any profit or advantage to which the Indemnitee is not legally entitled.
(c) If a court of competent jurisdiction has made a final and binding judgment that the act or omission of the Indemnitee can be characterized as a result of willful misconduct ( opzet ), willful recklessness ( bewuste roekeloosheid ) or serious culpability ( ernstig verwijt ) under Applicable Law.
(d) For any Legal Action arising out of, based upon or attributable to the committing in fact by the Indemnitee of any deliberate criminal or deliberate fraudulent act.
ARTICLE 4
ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES
4.1 Expense Advances . Except as set forth in Section 4.2, the Company will, if requested by Indemnitee, advance, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, to Indemnitee (hereinafter an Expense Advance ) any and all Expenses paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Legal Action (whether prior to or after its final disposition). Indemnitees right to each Expense Advance will be subject to the requirements of the next sentence but not otherwise subject to the satisfaction of any standard of conduct and will be made without regard to Indemnitees ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement, or under provisions of the Articles or otherwise. Each Expense Advance will be unsecured and interest free and will be made by the Company upon a resolution of the Supervisory Board; provided , however , that an Expense Advance will be made only upon delivery to the Company of an undertaking (hereinafter an Undertaking ), in a form satisfactory to the Company, by or on behalf of Indemnitee, to immediately repay such Expense Advance if it is ultimately determined, by final and binding judgment by a court or arbitrator, as applicable, from which there is no further right to appeal, that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such Expenses under the Articles or Applicable Law. An Expense eligible for an Expense Advance will include any and all reasonable Expenses incurred pursuing an action to enforce the right of advancement provided for in this Article 4.
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4.2 Exclusions . Indemnitee will not be entitled to any Expense Advance in connection with any of the matters for which indemnity is excluded pursuant to Section 3.4.
4.3 Timing . An Expense Advance pursuant to Section 4.1 will be made within fifteen business days after the resolution of the Management Board is approved by the Supervisory Board with respect to such Expense Advance; provided , however , that no such Expense Advance will be made by the Company prior to receipt by the Company of the Undertaking.
ARTICLE 5
CONTRIBUTION IN THE EVENT OF JOINT LIABILITY
5.1 Contribution by Company . To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, will contribute to the amount of Expenses and Claims incurred or paid by Indemnitee in connection with any Legal Action in proportion to the relative benefits received by the Company and all officers, directors and employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee, on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, from the transaction from which such Legal Action arose; provided , however , that the proportion determined on the basis of relative benefit may, to the extent necessary to conform to law, be further adjusted by reference to the relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors and employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee, on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, in connection with the events that resulted in such Expenses and Claims, as well as any other equitable considerations which applicable law may require to be considered. The relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors and employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee, on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, will be determined by reference to, among other things, the degree to which their actions were motivated by intent to gain personal profit or advantage, the degree to which their liability is primary or secondary, and the degree to which their conduct was active or passive.
5.2 Indemnification for Contribution Claims by Others . To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, the indemnification herein will include claims of contribution which may be brought by other officers, directors or employees of the Company who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee for any Loss or Expense arising from a Legal Action.
ARTICLE 6
PROCEDURES AND PRESUMPTIONS FOR THE
DETERMINATION OF ENTITLEMENT TO INDEMNIFICATION
6.1 Notification of Claims; Request for Indemnification . Indemnitee agrees to notify promptly the Company in writing of any claim made against Indemnitee for which indemnification will or could be sought under this Agreement; provided , however , that a delay in giving such notice will not deprive Indemnitee of any right to be indemnified under this Agreement unless, and then only to the extent that, the Company did not otherwise learn of the
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Legal Action and such delay is materially prejudicial to the Companys ability to defend or to obtain coverage under the Companys Liability Insurance for such Legal Action; and, provided , further , that notice will be deemed to have been given without any action on the part of Indemnitee in the event the Company is a party to the same Legal Action. The omission to notify the Company will not relieve the Company from any liability for indemnification which it may have to Indemnitee otherwise than under this Agreement. Indemnitee may deliver to the Company a written request to have the Company indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee in accordance with this Agreement. Subject to Section 6.9, such request may be delivered from time to time and at such time(s) as Indemnitee deems appropriate in his or her sole discretion. Following such a written request for indemnification, Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification shall be determined according to Section 6.2. The Secretary of the Company will, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Management Board in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification. The Company will be entitled to participate in any Legal Action at its own expense.
6.2 Determination of Right to Indemnification . Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 6.1 hereof with respect to any Legal Action, a determination with respect to Indemnitees entitlement thereto will be made by one of the following, at the election of the Company: (1) so long as there are Disinterested Directors with respect to such Legal Action, a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Supervisory Board, (2) so long as there are Disinterested Directors with respect to such Legal Action, a committee of such Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of such Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Supervisory Board or (3) Independent Counsel in a written opinion delivered to the Supervisory Board, a copy of which will also be delivered to Indemnitee. The election by the Company to use a particular person, persons or entity to make such determination is to be included in a written notification to Indemnitee. The person, persons or entity chosen to make a determination under this Agreement of the Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification shall act reasonably and in good faith in making such determination.
6.3 Selection of Independent Counsel . If the determination of entitlement to indemnification pursuant to Section 6.2 will be made by an Independent Counsel, the Independent Counsel will be selected as provided in this Section 6.3. The Independent Counsel will be selected by the Company (unless the Company requests that such selection be made by the Indemnitee, in which event the immediately following sentence will apply), and the Company will give written notice to Indemnitee advising Indemnitee of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. If the Independent Counsel is selected by the Indemnitee, Indemnitee will give written notice to the Company advising of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. In either event, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within ten days after such written notice of selection is given, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided , however , that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of Independent Counsel as defined in this Agreement, and the objection will set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected will act as Independent Counsel. If a written objection is made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel selected may not serve as Independent Counsel
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unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within 30 days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 6.1, no Independent Counsel is selected, or an Independent Counsel for which an objection thereto has been properly made remains unresolved, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition a court of competent jurisdiction for resolution of any objection which has been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the others selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the court or by such other person as the court may designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed will act as Independent Counsel under Section 6.2. The Company will pay any and all reasonable and necessary fees and expenses incurred by such Independent Counsel in connection with acting pursuant to Section 6.2 hereof, and the Company will pay all fees and expenses incident to the procedures of this Section 6.3, regardless of the manner in which such Independent Counsel was selected or appointed.
6.4 Burden of Proof . In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person, persons or entity making such determination will presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption will have the burden of proof. Indemnitee will be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitees action with respect to a particular Enterprise is based on the records or books of account of such Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers of such Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for such Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to such Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected by such Enterprise; provided , however this sentence will not be deemed to limit in any way the other circumstances in which Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the appropriate standard of conduct and provided further that this sentence shall not excuse fraudulent or other knowing improper actions taken by Indemnitee. In addition, the knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, officer, agent or employee of such Enterprise will not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement.
6.5 No Presumption in Absence of a Determination or As Result of an Adverse Determination; Presumption Regarding Success . Neither the failure of any person, persons or entity chosen to make a determination as to whether Indemnitee has met any particular standard of conduct or had any particular belief to make such determination, nor an actual determination by such person, persons or entity that Indemnitee has not met such standard of conduct or did not have such belief, prior to or after the commencement of legal proceedings by Indemnitee to secure a judicial determination that Indemnitee should be indemnified under this Agreement under Applicable Law, will be a defense to Indemnitees claim or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met any particular standard of conduct or did not have any particular belief. In addition, the termination of any Legal Action by settlement approved by the Management Board and Supervisory Board (whether with or without court approval) or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or its equivalent, will not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet any particular standard of conduct or have any particular belief or that a court has determined that indemnification is not permitted by this Agreement or Applicable Law.
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6.6 Timing of Determination . The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to cause any determination required to be made pursuant to Section 6.2 to be made as promptly as practicable after Indemnitee has submitted a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 6.1.
6.7 Timing of Payments . All payments of Expenses, including any Expense Advance, and other amounts by the Company to the Indemnitee pursuant to this Agreement will be made as soon as practicable after a written request or demand therefor by Indemnitee is presented to the Company, but in no event later than 30 days after (i) such demand is presented or (ii) such later date as a determination of entitlement to indemnification is made in accordance with Section 6.6, if applicable; provided , however , that an Expense Advance will be made within the time provided in Section 4.3 hereof.
6.8 Cooperation . Indemnitee will cooperate with the person, persons or entity making a determination with respect to Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity, upon reasonable advance request, any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination will be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification).
6.9 Time for Submission of Request . Indemnitee will be required to submit any request for Indemnification pursuant to this Article 6 within a reasonable time, not to exceed two years, after any judgment, order, settlement, dismissal, arbitration award, conviction, acceptance of a plea of nolo contendere (or its equivalent) or other full or partial final determination or disposition of the Legal Action (with the latest date of the occurrence of any such event to be considered the commencement of the two year period).
ARTICLE 7
LIABILITY INSURANCE
7.1 Liability Insurance . The Company will use its reasonable endeavors to obtain and maintain a policy or policies of Liability Insurance with one or more reputable insurance companies providing Indemnitee with coverage in such amount as will be determined by the Supervisory Board for Claims and Expenses paid or incurred by Indemnitee as a result of acts or omissions of Indemnitee in his or her Corporate Status, and to ensure the Companys performance of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement, to the extent that a policy covering the indemnification obligations under this Agreement is reasonably attainable; provided , however , in all policies of director and officer liability insurance obtained by the Company, Indemnitee will be named as an Insured in such manner as to provide Indemnitee with the same rights and benefits as are afforded to the other directors or officers, as applicable, of the Company under such policies. Any reductions to the amount of director and officer liability insurance coverage maintained by the Company as of the date hereof will be subject to the approval of the Supervisory Board.
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7.2 Notice to Insurers . If, at the time of receipt by the Company of a notice from any source of a Legal Action as to which Indemnitee is a party or participant, the Company will give prompt notice of such Legal Action to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies, the Company will provide Indemnitee with a copy of such notice. The Company will thereafter take all necessary or desirable actions to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Legal Action in accordance with the terms of such policies.
7.3 Cooperation with Company . The Indemnitee will cooperate in all ways with the Company and its counsel and, if required by the Company, with the insurers issuing the Companys Liability Insurance, to the extent the Company deems such cooperation reasonably necessary in connection with the tender, evaluation, investigation, and pursuant of insurance coverage for any Legal Action.
ARTICLE 8
REMEDIES OF INDEMNITEE
8.1 Action by Indemnitee . In the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Article 6 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) an Expense Advance is not timely made pursuant to Section 4.3 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification is made within the applicable time periods specified in Section 6.6 or (iv) payment of indemnified amounts is not made within the applicable time periods specified in Section 6.7, Indemnitee will be entitled to seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the rules of the American Arbitration Association; such award to be made within 60 days following the filing of the demand for arbitration. The provisions of the laws of the State of Texas (without regard to its conflict of laws rules that would cause the application of the laws of another jurisdiction) will apply to any such arbitration. The Company will not oppose Indemnitees right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.
8.2 Company Bound by Favorable Determination by Reviewing Party . If a determination is made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification pursuant to Article 6, the Company will be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Article 8, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitees statements in connection with the request for indemnification not materially misleading or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under Applicable Law.
8.3 Company Bound by Provisions of this Agreement . The Company and Indemnitee will each be precluded from asserting in any judicial or arbitration proceeding commenced pursuant to this Article 8 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and will stipulate in any such judicial or arbitration proceeding that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.
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ARTICLE 9
NON-EXCLUSIVITY, SUBROGATION; NO DUPLICATIVE PAYMENTS
9.1 Non-Exclusivity . The rights of indemnification and to receive Expense Advances as provided by this Agreement are not exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under Applicable Law, the Articles, any agreement, a vote of stockholders, a resolution of the directors or otherwise. To the extent Indemnitee otherwise would have any greater right to indemnification or payment of any advancement of Expenses under any other provisions under Applicable Law, the Articles, any agreement, vote of stockholders, a resolution of directors or otherwise, Indemnitee will be entitled under this Agreement to such greater right. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof limits or restricts any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in Applicable Law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification than would be afforded currently under the Articles and this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy will be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, will not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.
9.2 Subrogation . In the event of any payment by the Company under this Agreement, the Company will be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee with respect thereto, including rights under any policy of insurance or other indemnity agreement or obligation, and Indemnitee will execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights (it being understood that all of Indemnitees reasonable Expenses related thereto will be borne by the Company).
9.3 No Duplicative Payments . The Company will not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable (or any Expense for which advancement is provided) hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee is otherwise entitled to receive such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise. The Companys obligation to indemnify or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee in respect of Legal Actions relating to Indemnitees service at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, trustee, fiduciary or agent of any other Enterprise will be reduced by any amount Indemnitee is actually entitled to receive as indemnification or advancement of Expenses from such other Enterprise. Subject to Section 4.1, the indemnity obligations of this Agreement shall apply in excess of the Companys Liability Insurance and to any other insurance or indemnities available to the Indemnitee.
ARTICLE 10
DEFENSE OF PROCEEDINGS
10.1 Company Assuming the Defense . In the event the Company is obligated to pay in advance the Expenses of any Legal Action pursuant to Article 4, the Company will be entitled,
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by written notice to Indemnitee, to assume the defense of such Legal Action, with counsel approved by Indemnitee, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The Company will identify the counsel it proposes to employ in connection with such defense as part of the written notice sent to Indemnitee notifying Indemnitee of the Companys election to assume such defense, and Indemnitee will be required, within ten days following Indemnitees receipt of such notice, to inform the Company of its approval of such counsel or, if it has objections, the reasons therefor. If such objections cannot be resolved by the parties, the Company will identify alternative counsel, which counsel will also be subject to approval by Indemnitee in accordance with the procedure described in the prior sentence. In the absence of an actual conflict of interest that would prevent defense counsel from representing both the Indemnitee and other defendants in the Legal Action, the Indemnitee agrees that the Company may assign defense counsel to represent Indemnitee and other defendants in that Legal Action.
10.2 Right of Indemnitee to Employ Counsel . Following approval of counsel by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 10.1 and retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any fees and expenses of counsel subsequently incurred by Indemnitee with respect to the same Legal Action; provided , however , that (a) Indemnitee has the right to employ counsel in any such Legal Action at Indemnitees expense and (b) the Company will be required to pay the fees and expenses of Indemnitees counsel if (i) the employment of counsel by Indemnitee is authorized by the Company, (ii) an actual conflict of interest arises between the Company (or any other person or persons included in a joint defense) and Indemnitee in the conduct of such defense or representation by such counsel retained by the Company and the Company has not appointed new counsel without such conflict of interest to represent the Indemnitee or (iii) the Company does not continue to retain such counsel approved by the Indemnitee and the Company has not appointed new counsel to represent the Indemnitee in accordance with Section 10.1.
ARTICLE 11
SETTLEMENT
11.1 Company Bound by Provisions of this Agreement . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company will have no obligation to indemnify Indemnitee under this Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of any Legal Action effected without the Companys prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
11.2 When Indemnitees Prior Consent Required . The Company will not, without the prior written consent of Indemnitee, consent to the entry of any judgment against Indemnitee or enter into any settlement or compromise which (i) contains any non-monetary remedy imposed on Indemnitee or a Loss for which Indemnitee is not wholly indemnified hereunder or (ii) with respect to any Legal Action with respect to which Indemnitee is made a party or a participant or is otherwise entitled to seek indemnification hereunder, does not include, as an unconditional term thereof, the full release of Indemnitee from all liability in respect of such Legal Action. Neither the Company nor Indemnitee will unreasonably withhold its consent to any proposed settlement; provided , however , Indemnitee may withhold consent to any settlement that does not provide a full and unconditional release of Indemnitee from all liability in respect of such Legal Action.
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ARTICLE 12
DURATION OF AGREEMENT; PERIOD OF LIMITATIONS
12.1 Duration of Agreement . This Agreement will continue until and terminate upon the latest of (a) the statute of limitations applicable to any claim that could be asserted against an Indemnitee with respect to which Indemnitee may be entitled to indemnification and/or an Expense Advance under this Agreement, (b) ten years after the date that Indemnitee has ceased to serve as a director or officer of the Company or as a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, fiduciary or agent of any other Enterprise which Indemnitee served at the request of the Company, or (c) if, at the later of the dates referred to in (a) and (b) above, there is pending a Legal Action in respect of which Indemnitee is granted rights of indemnification or the right to an Expense Advance under this Agreement or a Legal Action commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Article 8 of this Agreement, one year after the final termination of such Legal Action, including any and all appeals.
ARTICLE 13
MISCELLANEOUS
13.1 Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties in respect of the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, to the extent they relate in any way to the subject matter hereof; provided , however , it is agreed that the provisions contained in this Agreement are a supplement to, and not a substitute for, any provisions regarding the same subject matter contained in the Articles and any employment or similar agreement between the parties.
13.2 Assignment; Binding Effect; Third Party Beneficiaries . No party may assign either this Agreement or any of its rights, interests or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the other party and any such assignment by a party without prior written approval of the other parties will be deemed invalid and not binding on such other parties. All of the terms, agreements, covenants, representations, warranties and conditions of this Agreement are binding upon, and inure to the benefit of and are enforceable by, the parties and their respective successors, permitted assigns, heirs, executors and personal and legal representatives. There are no third party beneficiaries having rights under or with respect to this Agreement.
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13.3 Notices . All notices, requests and other communications provided for or permitted to be given under this Agreement must be in writing and be given by personal delivery, by certified or registered mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested), by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service for next day delivery, or by facsimile transmission, as follows (or to such other address as any party may give in a notice given in accordance with the provisions hereof):
If to the Company:
Franks International N.V.
Prins Bernhardplein 200
1097 JB Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Attention: Brian D. Baird
Facsimile: (281) 558-2980
with a copy to:
Franks International N.V.
10260 Westheimer Rd.
Houston, Texas 77042
Attention: Brian D. Baird
Facsimile: (281) 558-2980
If to Indemnitee:
Kirkland D. Mosing
10260 Westheimer, Suite 700
Houston, TX 77042
Facsimile: (281) 558-2980
All notices, requests or other communications will be effective and deemed given only as follows: (i) if given by personal delivery, upon such personal delivery, (ii) if sent by certified or registered mail, on the fifth business day after being deposited in the United States mail, (iii) if sent for next day delivery by overnight delivery service, on the date of delivery as confirmed by written confirmation of delivery, (iv) if sent by facsimile, upon the transmitters confirmation of receipt of such facsimile transmission, except that if such confirmation is received after 5:00 p.m. (in the recipients time zone) on a business day, or is received on a day that is not a business day, then such notice, request or communication will not be deemed effective or given until the next succeeding business day. Notices, requests and other communications sent in any other manner, including by electronic mail, will not be effective.
13.4 Specific Performance; Remedies . Each party acknowledges and agrees that the other party would be damaged irreparably if any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with its specific terms or were otherwise breached. Accordingly, the parties will be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of the provisions of this Agreement and to enforce specifically this Agreement and its provisions in any action or proceeding instituted in any court having jurisdiction over the parties and the matter, in addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled, at law or in equity. Except as expressly provided for herein, the rights, obligations and remedies created by this Agreement are cumulative and in addition to any other rights, obligations or remedies otherwise available at law or in equity. Except as expressly provided herein, nothing herein will be considered an election of remedies.
13.5 Submission to Jurisdiction . Any Legal Action seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection with, this Agreement may only be
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brought in any courts in the State of Texas, which will be the exclusive and only proper forums for adjudicating such Legal Action, and each party consents to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of such courts (and of the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such Legal Action and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such Legal Action in any such court or that any such Legal Action brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Process in any such action, suit or proceeding may be served on any party anywhere in the world, whether within or without the jurisdiction of any such court.
13.6 Headings . The article and section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and will not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
13.7 Governing Law . This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without giving effect to any choice of law principles.
13.8 Amendment . This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by a writing signed by all of the parties.
13.9 Extensions; Waivers . Any party may, for itself only, (i) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations of any other party under this Agreement, (ii) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of any other party contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto and (iii) waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions for the benefit of such party contained herein. Any such extension or waiver will be valid only if set forth in a writing signed by the party to be bound thereby. No waiver by any party of any default, misrepresentation or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder, whether intentional or not, may be deemed to extend to any prior or subsequent default, misrepresentation or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder or affect in any way any rights arising because of any prior or subsequent such occurrence. Neither the failure nor any delay on the part of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise of any right or remedy preclude any other or further exercise of the same or of any other right or remedy.
13.10 Severability . The provisions of this Agreement will be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision will not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof; provided that if any provision of this Agreement, as applied to any party or to any circumstance, is judicially determined not to be enforceable in accordance with its terms, the parties agree that the court judicially making such determination may modify the provision in a manner consistent with its objectives such that it is enforceable, and/or to delete specific words or phrases, and in its modified form, such provision will then be enforceable and will be enforced.
13.11 Counterparts; Effectiveness . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement will become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties, which delivery may be made by exchange of copies of the signature page by facsimile or other electronic transmission.
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13.12 Construction . This Agreement has been freely and fairly negotiated among the parties. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any party because of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement. Any reference to any law will be deemed also to refer to such law as amended and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context requires otherwise. The words include, includes, and including will be deemed to be followed by without limitation. Pronouns in masculine, feminine, and neuter genders will be construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular form will be construed to include the plural and vice versa, unless the context otherwise requires. The words this Agreement, herein, hereof, hereby, hereunder, and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited. The parties intend that each representation, warranty, and covenant contained herein will have independent significance. If any party has breached any representation, warranty, or covenant contained herein in any respect, the fact that there exists another representation, warranty or covenant relating to the same subject matter (regardless of the relative levels of specificity) which the party has not breached will not detract from or mitigate the fact that the party is in breach of the first representation, warranty, or covenant. Time is of the essence in the performance of this Agreement.
[Signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL N.V. | ||
By: |
/s/ Brian D. Baird |
|
Name: | Brian D. Baird | |
Title: | Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary | |
Indemnitee | ||
/s/ Kirkland D. Mosing |
||
Signature | ||
Name: | Kirkland D. Mosing |
Exhibit 10.13
Execution Version
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
This Indemnification Agreement (this Agreement ) dated the 14th day of August, 2013, by and between Franks International N.V., a public limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands (the Company ), and Mark G. Margavio, an individual ( Indemnitee ).
RECITALS
A. Competent and experienced persons may be reluctant to serve or to continue to serve as directors, officers or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or indemnification (or both) against claims against them arising out of their service and activities on behalf of the corporation.
B. The current uncertainties relating to the availability of adequate insurance have increased the difficulty of attracting and retaining competent and experienced persons to serve in such capacity.
C. The supervisory board of the Company (the Supervisory Board ) has determined that the continuation of present trends in litigation will make it more difficult to attract and retain competent and experienced persons to serve as directors of the Company, that this situation is detrimental to the best interests of the Companys stockholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of adequate protection in the future.
D. As a supplement to and in the furtherance of the Companys Articles of Association, as amended (the Articles ), it is reasonable, prudent, desirable and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, and to pay in advance expenses on behalf of, directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, consistent with the Companys Liability Insurance, so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from concern that they will not be so indemnified and that their expenses will not be so paid in advance;
E. This Agreement is not a substitute for, nor is it intended to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee under, Liability Insurance, the Articles, any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto (including any contractual rights of Indemnitee that may exist) or otherwise;
F. Indemnitee is a director or officer of the Company and his or her willingness to continue to serve in such capacity is predicated, in substantial part, upon the Companys willingness to indemnify him or her to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, consistent with the Companys Liability Insurance, and upon the other undertakings set forth in this Agreement.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Agreement have the meanings set forth below:
Applicable Law means the laws of The Netherlands.
Claims means any and all liabilities, claims, judgments, fines (including excise taxes and penalties assessed with respect to employee benefit plans), penalties and all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of any of the foregoing.
Corporate Status means the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, trustee, fiduciary or agent of the Company or of any other Enterprise which such person is or was serving at the request of the Company. In addition to any service at the actual request of the Company, Indemnitee will be deemed, for purposes of this Agreement, to be serving or to have served at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, trustee, fiduciary or agent of another Enterprise if Indemnitee is or was serving as a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, fiduciary, trustee or agent of such Enterprise and (i) such Enterprise is or at the time of such service was a Controlled Affiliate, (ii) such Enterprise is or at the time of such service was an employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or a Controlled Affiliate or (iii) the Company or a Controlled Affiliate caused Indemnitee to be nominated, elected, appointed, designated, employed, engaged or selected to serve in such capacity on its behalf.
Controlled Affiliate means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other Enterprise, whether or not for profit, that is directly or indirectly controlled by the Company. For purposes of this definition, the term control means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct, or cause the direction of, the management or policies of an Enterprise, whether through the ownership of voting securities, through other voting rights, by contract or otherwise; provided , however , that direct or indirect beneficial ownership of capital stock or other interests in an Enterprise entitling the holder to cast 10% or more of the total number of votes generally entitled to be cast in the election of directors (or persons performing comparable functions) of such Enterprise will be deemed to constitute control for purposes of this definition.
Disinterested Director means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Legal Action, decision or Enterprise action in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.
Enterprise means the Company and any other corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, employee benefit plan, trust or other entity or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company in a Corporate Status.
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Expenses means all reasonable expenses, including attorneys fees and litigation costs, paid or incurred in connection with a Legal Action, or in connection with seeking indemnification under this Agreement. Expenses will also include Expenses reasonably paid or incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Legal Action. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Companys obligation to pay Expenses is limited to Expenses incurred after written notice is given to the Company of a Legal Action. When a Legal Action subject to the indemnity obligation in this Agreement presents both matters that are covered by the indemnity obligation and matters that are not, Expenses shall refer solely to Expenses incurred for the defense of those parts of the Legal Action that are covered by the indemnity obligation in this Agreement
Independent Counsel means an attorney or firm of attorneys that is experienced in matters of corporation law in the appropriate jurisdictions and neither currently is, nor in the past five (5) years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning the Indemnitee under this Agreement and/or the indemnification provisions of the Articles, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Legal Action giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term Independent Counsel does not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitees rights under this Agreement.
Legal Action means any expected, threatened, pending or completed action, investigation, or other proceeding, whether civil, criminal or administrative, and in each case commenced after the date of this Agreement, in which Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party or otherwise, by reason of or relating to Indemnitees Corporate Status and by reason of or relating to either (i) any action or alleged action taken by Indemnitee (or failure or alleged failure to act) or of any action or alleged action (or failure or alleged failure to act) on Indemnitees part, while acting in his or her Corporate Status or (ii) the fact that Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, trustee, fiduciary or agent of another Enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any Loss or Expense is paid or incurred for which indemnification or advancement of Expenses can be provided under this Agreement, except one initiated by Indemnitee to enforce his or her rights under this Agreement.
Liability Insurance means such director and officer liability insurance (or the equivalent), which the Company purchases for the benefit of its directors and officers.
Management Board means the management board of the Company.
Person shall be construed broadly and shall include, without limitation, an individual, a partnership, stichting , commanditaire vennootschap , besloten vennootschap , a limited liability company, a corporation, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization and a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.
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References to serving at the request of the Company include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to any employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan will be deemed to have acted in a manner not opposed to the best interests of the Company as referred to under applicable law or in this Agreement.
ARTICLE 2
SERVICES TO THE COMPANY
2.1 Services to the Company . Indemnitee agrees to serve as an officer or as a director on the Companys Supervisory Board. Indemnitee may at any time and for any reason resign from such position (subject to any other contractual obligation or any obligation imposed by operation of law), in which event the Company will have no obligation under this Agreement to continue Indemnitee in such position. This Agreement will not be construed as giving Indemnitee any right to be retained as an officer, as a director on the Companys Supervisory Board or in any other position with the Company (or any other Enterprise).
ARTICLE 3
INDEMNIFICATION
3.1 Company Indemnification . Except as otherwise provided in this Article 3, if Indemnitee was, is or becomes a party to, or was or is threatened to be made a party to, or was or is otherwise involved in, any Legal Action, the Company will indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by the Articles and Applicable Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, interpreted or replaced, against any and all Expenses, Claims or amounts paid in settlement, and any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, that are paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Legal Action.
3.2 Mandatory Indemnification if Indemnitee is Wholly or Partly Successful . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (other than Section 6.9), to the extent that Indemnitee has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in defense of any Legal Action or any part thereof, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses that are paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Legal Action, but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but fewer than all Claims, issues or matters in such Legal Action, the Company will indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee against all Expenses paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with each successfully resolved Claim, issue or matter on which Indemnitee was successful. For purposes of this Section 3.2, the termination of any Legal Action, or any Claim, issue or matter in such Legal Action, by dismissal with or without prejudice will be deemed to be a successful result as to such Legal Action, Claim, issue or matter.
3.3 Indemnification for Expenses of a Witness . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his or her Corporate Status, a witness in any Legal Action to which Indemnitee is not a party, the Company will advance all reasonable expenses and indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses paid or incurred by Indemnitee on his or her behalf in connection therewith.
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3.4 Exclusions . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company will not be obligated under this Agreement to provide indemnification in connection with the following:
(a) Any Legal Action (or part of any Legal Action) initiated or brought voluntarily by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnities, unless the Management Board has authorized or consented to the initiation of the Legal Action (or such part of any Legal Action) with approval of the Supervisory Board.
(b) An accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any similar successor statute or for any Claims to the extent that they represent the gain in fact of any profit or advantage to which the Indemnitee is not legally entitled.
(c) If a court of competent jurisdiction has made a final and binding judgment that the act or omission of the Indemnitee can be characterized as a result of willful misconduct ( opzet ), willful recklessness ( bewuste roekeloosheid ) or serious culpability ( ernstig verwijt ) under Applicable Law.
(d) For any Legal Action arising out of, based upon or attributable to the committing in fact by the Indemnitee of any deliberate criminal or deliberate fraudulent act.
ARTICLE 4
ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES
4.1 Expense Advances . Except as set forth in Section 4.2, the Company will, if requested by Indemnitee, advance, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, to Indemnitee (hereinafter an Expense Advance ) any and all Expenses paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Legal Action (whether prior to or after its final disposition). Indemnitees right to each Expense Advance will be subject to the requirements of the next sentence but not otherwise subject to the satisfaction of any standard of conduct and will be made without regard to Indemnitees ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement, or under provisions of the Articles or otherwise. Each Expense Advance will be unsecured and interest free and will be made by the Company upon a resolution of the Supervisory Board; provided , however , that an Expense Advance will be made only upon delivery to the Company of an undertaking (hereinafter an Undertaking ), in a form satisfactory to the Company, by or on behalf of Indemnitee, to immediately repay such Expense Advance if it is ultimately determined, by final and binding judgment by a court or arbitrator, as applicable, from which there is no further right to appeal, that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such Expenses under the Articles or Applicable Law. An Expense eligible for an Expense Advance will include any and all reasonable Expenses incurred pursuing an action to enforce the right of advancement provided for in this Article 4.
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4.2 Exclusions . Indemnitee will not be entitled to any Expense Advance in connection with any of the matters for which indemnity is excluded pursuant to Section 3.4.
4.3 Timing . An Expense Advance pursuant to Section 4.1 will be made within fifteen business days after the resolution of the Management Board is approved by the Supervisory Board with respect to such Expense Advance; provided , however , that no such Expense Advance will be made by the Company prior to receipt by the Company of the Undertaking.
ARTICLE 5
CONTRIBUTION IN THE EVENT OF JOINT LIABILITY
5.1 Contribution by Company . To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, will contribute to the amount of Expenses and Claims incurred or paid by Indemnitee in connection with any Legal Action in proportion to the relative benefits received by the Company and all officers, directors and employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee, on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, from the transaction from which such Legal Action arose; provided , however , that the proportion determined on the basis of relative benefit may, to the extent necessary to conform to law, be further adjusted by reference to the relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors and employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee, on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, in connection with the events that resulted in such Expenses and Claims, as well as any other equitable considerations which applicable law may require to be considered. The relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors and employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee, on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, will be determined by reference to, among other things, the degree to which their actions were motivated by intent to gain personal profit or advantage, the degree to which their liability is primary or secondary, and the degree to which their conduct was active or passive.
5.2 Indemnification for Contribution Claims by Others . To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, the indemnification herein will include claims of contribution which may be brought by other officers, directors or employees of the Company who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee for any Loss or Expense arising from a Legal Action.
ARTICLE 6
PROCEDURES AND PRESUMPTIONS FOR THE
DETERMINATION OF ENTITLEMENT TO INDEMNIFICATION
6.1 Notification of Claims; Request for Indemnification . Indemnitee agrees to notify promptly the Company in writing of any claim made against Indemnitee for which indemnification will or could be sought under this Agreement; provided , however , that a delay in giving such notice will not deprive Indemnitee of any right to be indemnified under this Agreement unless, and then only to the extent that, the Company did not otherwise learn of the
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Legal Action and such delay is materially prejudicial to the Companys ability to defend or to obtain coverage under the Companys Liability Insurance for such Legal Action; and, provided , further , that notice will be deemed to have been given without any action on the part of Indemnitee in the event the Company is a party to the same Legal Action. The omission to notify the Company will not relieve the Company from any liability for indemnification which it may have to Indemnitee otherwise than under this Agreement. Indemnitee may deliver to the Company a written request to have the Company indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee in accordance with this Agreement. Subject to Section 6.9, such request may be delivered from time to time and at such time(s) as Indemnitee deems appropriate in his or her sole discretion. Following such a written request for indemnification, Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification shall be determined according to Section 6.2. The Secretary of the Company will, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Management Board in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification. The Company will be entitled to participate in any Legal Action at its own expense.
6.2 Determination of Right to Indemnification . Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 6.1 hereof with respect to any Legal Action, a determination with respect to Indemnitees entitlement thereto will be made by one of the following, at the election of the Company: (1) so long as there are Disinterested Directors with respect to such Legal Action, a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Supervisory Board, (2) so long as there are Disinterested Directors with respect to such Legal Action, a committee of such Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of such Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Supervisory Board or (3) Independent Counsel in a written opinion delivered to the Supervisory Board, a copy of which will also be delivered to Indemnitee. The election by the Company to use a particular person, persons or entity to make such determination is to be included in a written notification to Indemnitee. The person, persons or entity chosen to make a determination under this Agreement of the Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification shall act reasonably and in good faith in making such determination.
6.3 Selection of Independent Counsel . If the determination of entitlement to indemnification pursuant to Section 6.2 will be made by an Independent Counsel, the Independent Counsel will be selected as provided in this Section 6.3. The Independent Counsel will be selected by the Company (unless the Company requests that such selection be made by the Indemnitee, in which event the immediately following sentence will apply), and the Company will give written notice to Indemnitee advising Indemnitee of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. If the Independent Counsel is selected by the Indemnitee, Indemnitee will give written notice to the Company advising of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. In either event, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within ten days after such written notice of selection is given, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided , however , that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of Independent Counsel as defined in this Agreement, and the objection will set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected will act as Independent Counsel. If a written objection is made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel selected may not serve as Independent Counsel
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unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within 30 days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 6.1, no Independent Counsel is selected, or an Independent Counsel for which an objection thereto has been properly made remains unresolved, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition a court of competent jurisdiction for resolution of any objection which has been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the others selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the court or by such other person as the court may designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed will act as Independent Counsel under Section 6.2. The Company will pay any and all reasonable and necessary fees and expenses incurred by such Independent Counsel in connection with acting pursuant to Section 6.2 hereof, and the Company will pay all fees and expenses incident to the procedures of this Section 6.3, regardless of the manner in which such Independent Counsel was selected or appointed.
6.4 Burden of Proof . In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person, persons or entity making such determination will presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption will have the burden of proof. Indemnitee will be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitees action with respect to a particular Enterprise is based on the records or books of account of such Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers of such Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for such Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to such Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected by such Enterprise; provided , however this sentence will not be deemed to limit in any way the other circumstances in which Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the appropriate standard of conduct and provided further that this sentence shall not excuse fraudulent or other knowing improper actions taken by Indemnitee. In addition, the knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, officer, agent or employee of such Enterprise will not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement.
6.5 No Presumption in Absence of a Determination or As Result of an Adverse Determination; Presumption Regarding Success . Neither the failure of any person, persons or entity chosen to make a determination as to whether Indemnitee has met any particular standard of conduct or had any particular belief to make such determination, nor an actual determination by such person, persons or entity that Indemnitee has not met such standard of conduct or did not have such belief, prior to or after the commencement of legal proceedings by Indemnitee to secure a judicial determination that Indemnitee should be indemnified under this Agreement under Applicable Law, will be a defense to Indemnitees claim or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met any particular standard of conduct or did not have any particular belief. In addition, the termination of any Legal Action by settlement approved by the Management Board and Supervisory Board (whether with or without court approval) or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or its equivalent, will not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet any particular standard of conduct or have any particular belief or that a court has determined that indemnification is not permitted by this Agreement or Applicable Law.
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6.6 Timing of Determination . The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to cause any determination required to be made pursuant to Section 6.2 to be made as promptly as practicable after Indemnitee has submitted a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 6.1.
6.7 Timing of Payments . All payments of Expenses, including any Expense Advance, and other amounts by the Company to the Indemnitee pursuant to this Agreement will be made as soon as practicable after a written request or demand therefor by Indemnitee is presented to the Company, but in no event later than 30 days after (i) such demand is presented or (ii) such later date as a determination of entitlement to indemnification is made in accordance with Section 6.6, if applicable; provided , however , that an Expense Advance will be made within the time provided in Section 4.3 hereof.
6.8 Cooperation . Indemnitee will cooperate with the person, persons or entity making a determination with respect to Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity, upon reasonable advance request, any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination will be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification).
6.9 Time for Submission of Request . Indemnitee will be required to submit any request for Indemnification pursuant to this Article 6 within a reasonable time, not to exceed two years, after any judgment, order, settlement, dismissal, arbitration award, conviction, acceptance of a plea of nolo contendere (or its equivalent) or other full or partial final determination or disposition of the Legal Action (with the latest date of the occurrence of any such event to be considered the commencement of the two year period).
ARTICLE 7
LIABILITY INSURANCE
7.1 Liability Insurance . The Company will use its reasonable endeavors to obtain and maintain a policy or policies of Liability Insurance with one or more reputable insurance companies providing Indemnitee with coverage in such amount as will be determined by the Supervisory Board for Claims and Expenses paid or incurred by Indemnitee as a result of acts or omissions of Indemnitee in his or her Corporate Status, and to ensure the Companys performance of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement, to the extent that a policy covering the indemnification obligations under this Agreement is reasonably attainable; provided , however , in all policies of director and officer liability insurance obtained by the Company, Indemnitee will be named as an Insured in such manner as to provide Indemnitee with the same rights and benefits as are afforded to the other directors or officers, as applicable, of the Company under such policies. Any reductions to the amount of director and officer liability insurance coverage maintained by the Company as of the date hereof will be subject to the approval of the Supervisory Board.
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7.2 Notice to Insurers . If, at the time of receipt by the Company of a notice from any source of a Legal Action as to which Indemnitee is a party or participant, the Company will give prompt notice of such Legal Action to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies, the Company will provide Indemnitee with a copy of such notice. The Company will thereafter take all necessary or desirable actions to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Legal Action in accordance with the terms of such policies.
7.3 Cooperation with Company . The Indemnitee will cooperate in all ways with the Company and its counsel and, if required by the Company, with the insurers issuing the Companys Liability Insurance, to the extent the Company deems such cooperation reasonably necessary in connection with the tender, evaluation, investigation, and pursuant of insurance coverage for any Legal Action.
ARTICLE 8
REMEDIES OF INDEMNITEE
8.1 Action by Indemnitee . In the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Article 6 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) an Expense Advance is not timely made pursuant to Section 4.3 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification is made within the applicable time periods specified in Section 6.6 or (iv) payment of indemnified amounts is not made within the applicable time periods specified in Section 6.7, Indemnitee will be entitled to seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the rules of the American Arbitration Association; such award to be made within 60 days following the filing of the demand for arbitration. The provisions of the laws of the State of Texas (without regard to its conflict of laws rules that would cause the application of the laws of another jurisdiction) will apply to any such arbitration. The Company will not oppose Indemnitees right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.
8.2 Company Bound by Favorable Determination by Reviewing Party . If a determination is made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification pursuant to Article 6, the Company will be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Article 8, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitees statements in connection with the request for indemnification not materially misleading or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under Applicable Law.
8.3 Company Bound by Provisions of this Agreement . The Company and Indemnitee will each be precluded from asserting in any judicial or arbitration proceeding commenced pursuant to this Article 8 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and will stipulate in any such judicial or arbitration proceeding that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.
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ARTICLE 9
NON-EXCLUSIVITY, SUBROGATION; NO DUPLICATIVE PAYMENTS
9.1 Non-Exclusivity . The rights of indemnification and to receive Expense Advances as provided by this Agreement are not exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under Applicable Law, the Articles, any agreement, a vote of stockholders, a resolution of the directors or otherwise. To the extent Indemnitee otherwise would have any greater right to indemnification or payment of any advancement of Expenses under any other provisions under Applicable Law, the Articles, any agreement, vote of stockholders, a resolution of directors or otherwise, Indemnitee will be entitled under this Agreement to such greater right. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof limits or restricts any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in Applicable Law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification than would be afforded currently under the Articles and this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy will be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, will not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.
9.2 Subrogation . In the event of any payment by the Company under this Agreement, the Company will be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee with respect thereto, including rights under any policy of insurance or other indemnity agreement or obligation, and Indemnitee will execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights (it being understood that all of Indemnitees reasonable Expenses related thereto will be borne by the Company).
9.3 No Duplicative Payments . The Company will not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable (or any Expense for which advancement is provided) hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee is otherwise entitled to receive such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise. The Companys obligation to indemnify or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee in respect of Legal Actions relating to Indemnitees service at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, trustee, fiduciary or agent of any other Enterprise will be reduced by any amount Indemnitee is actually entitled to receive as indemnification or advancement of Expenses from such other Enterprise. Subject to Section 4.1, the indemnity obligations of this Agreement shall apply in excess of the Companys Liability Insurance and to any other insurance or indemnities available to the Indemnitee.
ARTICLE 10
DEFENSE OF PROCEEDINGS
10.1 Company Assuming the Defense . In the event the Company is obligated to pay in advance the Expenses of any Legal Action pursuant to Article 4, the Company will be entitled,
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by written notice to Indemnitee, to assume the defense of such Legal Action, with counsel approved by Indemnitee, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The Company will identify the counsel it proposes to employ in connection with such defense as part of the written notice sent to Indemnitee notifying Indemnitee of the Companys election to assume such defense, and Indemnitee will be required, within ten days following Indemnitees receipt of such notice, to inform the Company of its approval of such counsel or, if it has objections, the reasons therefor. If such objections cannot be resolved by the parties, the Company will identify alternative counsel, which counsel will also be subject to approval by Indemnitee in accordance with the procedure described in the prior sentence. In the absence of an actual conflict of interest that would prevent defense counsel from representing both the Indemnitee and other defendants in the Legal Action, the Indemnitee agrees that the Company may assign defense counsel to represent Indemnitee and other defendants in that Legal Action.
10.2 Right of Indemnitee to Employ Counsel . Following approval of counsel by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 10.1 and retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any fees and expenses of counsel subsequently incurred by Indemnitee with respect to the same Legal Action; provided , however , that (a) Indemnitee has the right to employ counsel in any such Legal Action at Indemnitees expense and (b) the Company will be required to pay the fees and expenses of Indemnitees counsel if (i) the employment of counsel by Indemnitee is authorized by the Company, (ii) an actual conflict of interest arises between the Company (or any other person or persons included in a joint defense) and Indemnitee in the conduct of such defense or representation by such counsel retained by the Company and the Company has not appointed new counsel without such conflict of interest to represent the Indemnitee or (iii) the Company does not continue to retain such counsel approved by the Indemnitee and the Company has not appointed new counsel to represent the Indemnitee in accordance with Section 10.1.
ARTICLE 11
SETTLEMENT
11.1 Company Bound by Provisions of this Agreement . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company will have no obligation to indemnify Indemnitee under this Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of any Legal Action effected without the Companys prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
11.2 When Indemnitees Prior Consent Required . The Company will not, without the prior written consent of Indemnitee, consent to the entry of any judgment against Indemnitee or enter into any settlement or compromise which (i) contains any non-monetary remedy imposed on Indemnitee or a Loss for which Indemnitee is not wholly indemnified hereunder or (ii) with respect to any Legal Action with respect to which Indemnitee is made a party or a participant or is otherwise entitled to seek indemnification hereunder, does not include, as an unconditional term thereof, the full release of Indemnitee from all liability in respect of such Legal Action. Neither the Company nor Indemnitee will unreasonably withhold its consent to any proposed settlement; provided , however , Indemnitee may withhold consent to any settlement that does not provide a full and unconditional release of Indemnitee from all liability in respect of such Legal Action.
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ARTICLE 12
DURATION OF AGREEMENT; PERIOD OF LIMITATIONS
12.1 Duration of Agreement . This Agreement will continue until and terminate upon the latest of (a) the statute of limitations applicable to any claim that could be asserted against an Indemnitee with respect to which Indemnitee may be entitled to indemnification and/or an Expense Advance under this Agreement, (b) ten years after the date that Indemnitee has ceased to serve as a director or officer of the Company or as a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, fiduciary or agent of any other Enterprise which Indemnitee served at the request of the Company, or (c) if, at the later of the dates referred to in (a) and (b) above, there is pending a Legal Action in respect of which Indemnitee is granted rights of indemnification or the right to an Expense Advance under this Agreement or a Legal Action commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Article 8 of this Agreement, one year after the final termination of such Legal Action, including any and all appeals.
ARTICLE 13
MISCELLANEOUS
13.1 Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties in respect of the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, to the extent they relate in any way to the subject matter hereof; provided , however , it is agreed that the provisions contained in this Agreement are a supplement to, and not a substitute for, any provisions regarding the same subject matter contained in the Articles and any employment or similar agreement between the parties.
13.2 Assignment; Binding Effect; Third Party Beneficiaries . No party may assign either this Agreement or any of its rights, interests or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the other party and any such assignment by a party without prior written approval of the other parties will be deemed invalid and not binding on such other parties. All of the terms, agreements, covenants, representations, warranties and conditions of this Agreement are binding upon, and inure to the benefit of and are enforceable by, the parties and their respective successors, permitted assigns, heirs, executors and personal and legal representatives. There are no third party beneficiaries having rights under or with respect to this Agreement.
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13.3 Notices . All notices, requests and other communications provided for or permitted to be given under this Agreement must be in writing and be given by personal delivery, by certified or registered mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested), by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service for next day delivery, or by facsimile transmission, as follows (or to such other address as any party may give in a notice given in accordance with the provisions hereof):
If to the Company:
Franks International N.V.
Prins Bernhardplein 200
1097 JB Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Attention: Brian D. Baird
Facsimile: (281) 558-2980
with a copy to:
Franks International N.V.
10260 Westheimer Rd.
Houston, Texas 77042
Attention: Brian D. Baird
Facsimile: (281) 558-2980
If to Indemnitee:
Mark Margavio
10260 Westheimer, Suite 700
Houston, TX 77042
Facsimile: (281) 558-2980
All notices, requests or other communications will be effective and deemed given only as follows: (i) if given by personal delivery, upon such personal delivery, (ii) if sent by certified or registered mail, on the fifth business day after being deposited in the United States mail, (iii) if sent for next day delivery by overnight delivery service, on the date of delivery as confirmed by written confirmation of delivery, (iv) if sent by facsimile, upon the transmitters confirmation of receipt of such facsimile transmission, except that if such confirmation is received after 5:00 p.m. (in the recipients time zone) on a business day, or is received on a day that is not a business day, then such notice, request or communication will not be deemed effective or given until the next succeeding business day. Notices, requests and other communications sent in any other manner, including by electronic mail, will not be effective.
13.4 Specific Performance; Remedies . Each party acknowledges and agrees that the other party would be damaged irreparably if any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with its specific terms or were otherwise breached. Accordingly, the parties will be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of the provisions of this Agreement and to enforce specifically this Agreement and its provisions in any action or proceeding instituted in any court having jurisdiction over the parties and the matter, in addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled, at law or in equity. Except as expressly provided for herein, the rights, obligations and remedies created by this Agreement are cumulative and in addition to any other rights, obligations or remedies otherwise available at law or in equity. Except as expressly provided herein, nothing herein will be considered an election of remedies.
13.5 Submission to Jurisdiction . Any Legal Action seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection with, this Agreement may only be
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brought in any courts in the State of Texas, which will be the exclusive and only proper forums for adjudicating such Legal Action, and each party consents to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of such courts (and of the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such Legal Action and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such Legal Action in any such court or that any such Legal Action brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Process in any such action, suit or proceeding may be served on any party anywhere in the world, whether within or without the jurisdiction of any such court.
13.6 Headings . The article and section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and will not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
13.7 Governing Law . This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without giving effect to any choice of law principles.
13.8 Amendment . This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by a writing signed by all of the parties.
13.9 Extensions; Waivers . Any party may, for itself only, (i) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations of any other party under this Agreement, (ii) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of any other party contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto and (iii) waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions for the benefit of such party contained herein. Any such extension or waiver will be valid only if set forth in a writing signed by the party to be bound thereby. No waiver by any party of any default, misrepresentation or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder, whether intentional or not, may be deemed to extend to any prior or subsequent default, misrepresentation or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder or affect in any way any rights arising because of any prior or subsequent such occurrence. Neither the failure nor any delay on the part of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise of any right or remedy preclude any other or further exercise of the same or of any other right or remedy.
13.10 Severability . The provisions of this Agreement will be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision will not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof; provided that if any provision of this Agreement, as applied to any party or to any circumstance, is judicially determined not to be enforceable in accordance with its terms, the parties agree that the court judicially making such determination may modify the provision in a manner consistent with its objectives such that it is enforceable, and/or to delete specific words or phrases, and in its modified form, such provision will then be enforceable and will be enforced.
13.11 Counterparts; Effectiveness . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement will become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties, which delivery may be made by exchange of copies of the signature page by facsimile or other electronic transmission.
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13.12 Construction . This Agreement has been freely and fairly negotiated among the parties. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any party because of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement. Any reference to any law will be deemed also to refer to such law as amended and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context requires otherwise. The words include, includes, and including will be deemed to be followed by without limitation. Pronouns in masculine, feminine, and neuter genders will be construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular form will be construed to include the plural and vice versa, unless the context otherwise requires. The words this Agreement, herein, hereof, hereby, hereunder, and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited. The parties intend that each representation, warranty, and covenant contained herein will have independent significance. If any party has breached any representation, warranty, or covenant contained herein in any respect, the fact that there exists another representation, warranty or covenant relating to the same subject matter (regardless of the relative levels of specificity) which the party has not breached will not detract from or mitigate the fact that the party is in breach of the first representation, warranty, or covenant. Time is of the essence in the performance of this Agreement.
[Signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL N.V. | ||
By: |
/s/ Brian D. Baird |
|
Name: | Brian D. Baird | |
Title: | Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary | |
Indemnitee | ||
/s/ Mark G. Margavio |
||
Signature | ||
Name: | Mark G. Margavio |
Exhibit 10.14
Execution Version
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
This Indemnification Agreement (this Agreement ) dated the 14th day of August, 2013, by and between Franks International N.V., a public limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands (the Company ), and Sheldon Erikson, an individual ( Indemnitee ).
RECITALS
A. Competent and experienced persons may be reluctant to serve or to continue to serve as directors, officers or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or indemnification (or both) against claims against them arising out of their service and activities on behalf of the corporation.
B. The current uncertainties relating to the availability of adequate insurance have increased the difficulty of attracting and retaining competent and experienced persons to serve in such capacity.
C. The supervisory board of the Company (the Supervisory Board ) has determined that the continuation of present trends in litigation will make it more difficult to attract and retain competent and experienced persons to serve as directors of the Company, that this situation is detrimental to the best interests of the Companys stockholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of adequate protection in the future.
D. As a supplement to and in the furtherance of the Companys Articles of Association, as amended (the Articles ), it is reasonable, prudent, desirable and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, and to pay in advance expenses on behalf of, directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, consistent with the Companys Liability Insurance, so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from concern that they will not be so indemnified and that their expenses will not be so paid in advance;
E. This Agreement is not a substitute for, nor is it intended to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee under, Liability Insurance, the Articles, any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto (including any contractual rights of Indemnitee that may exist) or otherwise;
F. Indemnitee is a director or officer of the Company and his or her willingness to continue to serve in such capacity is predicated, in substantial part, upon the Companys willingness to indemnify him or her to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, consistent with the Companys Liability Insurance, and upon the other undertakings set forth in this Agreement.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Agreement have the meanings set forth below:
Applicable Law means the laws of The Netherlands.
Claims means any and all liabilities, claims, judgments, fines (including excise taxes and penalties assessed with respect to employee benefit plans), penalties and all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of any of the foregoing.
Corporate Status means the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, trustee, fiduciary or agent of the Company or of any other Enterprise which such person is or was serving at the request of the Company. In addition to any service at the actual request of the Company, Indemnitee will be deemed, for purposes of this Agreement, to be serving or to have served at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, trustee, fiduciary or agent of another Enterprise if Indemnitee is or was serving as a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, fiduciary, trustee or agent of such Enterprise and (i) such Enterprise is or at the time of such service was a Controlled Affiliate, (ii) such Enterprise is or at the time of such service was an employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or a Controlled Affiliate or (iii) the Company or a Controlled Affiliate caused Indemnitee to be nominated, elected, appointed, designated, employed, engaged or selected to serve in such capacity on its behalf.
Controlled Affiliate means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other Enterprise, whether or not for profit, that is directly or indirectly controlled by the Company. For purposes of this definition, the term control means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct, or cause the direction of, the management or policies of an Enterprise, whether through the ownership of voting securities, through other voting rights, by contract or otherwise; provided , however , that direct or indirect beneficial ownership of capital stock or other interests in an Enterprise entitling the holder to cast 10% or more of the total number of votes generally entitled to be cast in the election of directors (or persons performing comparable functions) of such Enterprise will be deemed to constitute control for purposes of this definition.
Disinterested Director means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Legal Action, decision or Enterprise action in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.
Enterprise means the Company and any other corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, employee benefit plan, trust or other entity or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company in a Corporate Status.
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Expenses means all reasonable expenses, including attorneys fees and litigation costs, paid or incurred in connection with a Legal Action, or in connection with seeking indemnification under this Agreement. Expenses will also include Expenses reasonably paid or incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Legal Action. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Companys obligation to pay Expenses is limited to Expenses incurred after written notice is given to the Company of a Legal Action. When a Legal Action subject to the indemnity obligation in this Agreement presents both matters that are covered by the indemnity obligation and matters that are not, Expenses shall refer solely to Expenses incurred for the defense of those parts of the Legal Action that are covered by the indemnity obligation in this Agreement
Independent Counsel means an attorney or firm of attorneys that is experienced in matters of corporation law in the appropriate jurisdictions and neither currently is, nor in the past five (5) years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning the Indemnitee under this Agreement and/or the indemnification provisions of the Articles, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Legal Action giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term Independent Counsel does not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitees rights under this Agreement.
Legal Action means any expected, threatened, pending or completed action, investigation, or other proceeding, whether civil, criminal or administrative, and in each case commenced after the date of this Agreement, in which Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party or otherwise, by reason of or relating to Indemnitees Corporate Status and by reason of or relating to either (i) any action or alleged action taken by Indemnitee (or failure or alleged failure to act) or of any action or alleged action (or failure or alleged failure to act) on Indemnitees part, while acting in his or her Corporate Status or (ii) the fact that Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, trustee, fiduciary or agent of another Enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any Loss or Expense is paid or incurred for which indemnification or advancement of Expenses can be provided under this Agreement, except one initiated by Indemnitee to enforce his or her rights under this Agreement.
Liability Insurance means such director and officer liability insurance (or the equivalent), which the Company purchases for the benefit of its directors and officers.
Management Board means the management board of the Company.
Person shall be construed broadly and shall include, without limitation, an individual, a partnership, stichting , commanditaire vennootschap , besloten vennootschap , a limited liability company, a corporation, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization and a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.
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References to serving at the request of the Company include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to any employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan will be deemed to have acted in a manner not opposed to the best interests of the Company as referred to under applicable law or in this Agreement.
ARTICLE 2
SERVICES TO THE COMPANY
2.1 Services to the Company . Indemnitee agrees to serve as an officer or as a director on the Companys Supervisory Board. Indemnitee may at any time and for any reason resign from such position (subject to any other contractual obligation or any obligation imposed by operation of law), in which event the Company will have no obligation under this Agreement to continue Indemnitee in such position. This Agreement will not be construed as giving Indemnitee any right to be retained as an officer, as a director on the Companys Supervisory Board or in any other position with the Company (or any other Enterprise).
ARTICLE 3
INDEMNIFICATION
3.1 Company Indemnification . Except as otherwise provided in this Article 3, if Indemnitee was, is or becomes a party to, or was or is threatened to be made a party to, or was or is otherwise involved in, any Legal Action, the Company will indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by the Articles and Applicable Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, interpreted or replaced, against any and all Expenses, Claims or amounts paid in settlement, and any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, that are paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Legal Action.
3.2 Mandatory Indemnification if Indemnitee is Wholly or Partly Successful . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (other than Section 6.9), to the extent that Indemnitee has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in defense of any Legal Action or any part thereof, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses that are paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Legal Action, but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but fewer than all Claims, issues or matters in such Legal Action, the Company will indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee against all Expenses paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with each successfully resolved Claim, issue or matter on which Indemnitee was successful. For purposes of this Section 3.2, the termination of any Legal Action, or any Claim, issue or matter in such Legal Action, by dismissal with or without prejudice will be deemed to be a successful result as to such Legal Action, Claim, issue or matter.
3.3 Indemnification for Expenses of a Witness . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his or her Corporate Status, a witness in any Legal Action to which Indemnitee is not a party, the Company will advance all reasonable expenses and indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses paid or incurred by Indemnitee on his or her behalf in connection therewith.
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3.4 Exclusions . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company will not be obligated under this Agreement to provide indemnification in connection with the following:
(a) Any Legal Action (or part of any Legal Action) initiated or brought voluntarily by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnities, unless the Management Board has authorized or consented to the initiation of the Legal Action (or such part of any Legal Action) with approval of the Supervisory Board.
(b) An accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any similar successor statute or for any Claims to the extent that they represent the gain in fact of any profit or advantage to which the Indemnitee is not legally entitled.
(c) If a court of competent jurisdiction has made a final and binding judgment that the act or omission of the Indemnitee can be characterized as a result of willful misconduct ( opzet ), willful recklessness ( bewuste roekeloosheid ) or serious culpability ( ernstig verwijt ) under Applicable Law.
(d) For any Legal Action arising out of, based upon or attributable to the committing in fact by the Indemnitee of any deliberate criminal or deliberate fraudulent act.
ARTICLE 4
ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES
4.1 Expense Advances . Except as set forth in Section 4.2, the Company will, if requested by Indemnitee, advance, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, to Indemnitee (hereinafter an Expense Advance ) any and all Expenses paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Legal Action (whether prior to or after its final disposition). Indemnitees right to each Expense Advance will be subject to the requirements of the next sentence but not otherwise subject to the satisfaction of any standard of conduct and will be made without regard to Indemnitees ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement, or under provisions of the Articles or otherwise. Each Expense Advance will be unsecured and interest free and will be made by the Company upon a resolution of the Supervisory Board; provided , however , that an Expense Advance will be made only upon delivery to the Company of an undertaking (hereinafter an Undertaking ), in a form satisfactory to the Company, by or on behalf of Indemnitee, to immediately repay such Expense Advance if it is ultimately determined, by final and binding judgment by a court or arbitrator, as applicable, from which there is no further right to appeal, that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such Expenses under the Articles or Applicable Law. An Expense eligible for an Expense Advance will include any and all reasonable Expenses incurred pursuing an action to enforce the right of advancement provided for in this Article 4.
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4.2 Exclusions . Indemnitee will not be entitled to any Expense Advance in connection with any of the matters for which indemnity is excluded pursuant to Section 3.4.
4.3 Timing . An Expense Advance pursuant to Section 4.1 will be made within fifteen business days after the resolution of the Management Board is approved by the Supervisory Board with respect to such Expense Advance; provided , however , that no such Expense Advance will be made by the Company prior to receipt by the Company of the Undertaking.
ARTICLE 5
CONTRIBUTION IN THE EVENT OF JOINT LIABILITY
5.1 Contribution by Company . To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, will contribute to the amount of Expenses and Claims incurred or paid by Indemnitee in connection with any Legal Action in proportion to the relative benefits received by the Company and all officers, directors and employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee, on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, from the transaction from which such Legal Action arose; provided , however , that the proportion determined on the basis of relative benefit may, to the extent necessary to conform to law, be further adjusted by reference to the relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors and employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee, on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, in connection with the events that resulted in such Expenses and Claims, as well as any other equitable considerations which applicable law may require to be considered. The relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors and employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee, on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, will be determined by reference to, among other things, the degree to which their actions were motivated by intent to gain personal profit or advantage, the degree to which their liability is primary or secondary, and the degree to which their conduct was active or passive.
5.2 Indemnification for Contribution Claims by Others . To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, the indemnification herein will include claims of contribution which may be brought by other officers, directors or employees of the Company who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee for any Loss or Expense arising from a Legal Action.
ARTICLE 6
PROCEDURES AND PRESUMPTIONS FOR THE
DETERMINATION OF ENTITLEMENT TO INDEMNIFICATION
6.1 Notification of Claims; Request for Indemnification . Indemnitee agrees to notify promptly the Company in writing of any claim made against Indemnitee for which indemnification will or could be sought under this Agreement; provided , however , that a delay in giving such notice will not deprive Indemnitee of any right to be indemnified under this Agreement unless, and then only to the extent that, the Company did not otherwise learn of the
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Legal Action and such delay is materially prejudicial to the Companys ability to defend or to obtain coverage under the Companys Liability Insurance for such Legal Action; and, provided , further , that notice will be deemed to have been given without any action on the part of Indemnitee in the event the Company is a party to the same Legal Action. The omission to notify the Company will not relieve the Company from any liability for indemnification which it may have to Indemnitee otherwise than under this Agreement. Indemnitee may deliver to the Company a written request to have the Company indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee in accordance with this Agreement. Subject to Section 6.9, such request may be delivered from time to time and at such time(s) as Indemnitee deems appropriate in his or her sole discretion. Following such a written request for indemnification, Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification shall be determined according to Section 6.2. The Secretary of the Company will, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Management Board in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification. The Company will be entitled to participate in any Legal Action at its own expense.
6.2 Determination of Right to Indemnification . Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 6.1 hereof with respect to any Legal Action, a determination with respect to Indemnitees entitlement thereto will be made by one of the following, at the election of the Company: (1) so long as there are Disinterested Directors with respect to such Legal Action, a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Supervisory Board, (2) so long as there are Disinterested Directors with respect to such Legal Action, a committee of such Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of such Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Supervisory Board or (3) Independent Counsel in a written opinion delivered to the Supervisory Board, a copy of which will also be delivered to Indemnitee. The election by the Company to use a particular person, persons or entity to make such determination is to be included in a written notification to Indemnitee. The person, persons or entity chosen to make a determination under this Agreement of the Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification shall act reasonably and in good faith in making such determination.
6.3 Selection of Independent Counsel . If the determination of entitlement to indemnification pursuant to Section 6.2 will be made by an Independent Counsel, the Independent Counsel will be selected as provided in this Section 6.3. The Independent Counsel will be selected by the Company (unless the Company requests that such selection be made by the Indemnitee, in which event the immediately following sentence will apply), and the Company will give written notice to Indemnitee advising Indemnitee of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. If the Independent Counsel is selected by the Indemnitee, Indemnitee will give written notice to the Company advising of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. In either event, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within ten days after such written notice of selection is given, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided , however , that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of Independent Counsel as defined in this Agreement, and the objection will set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected will act as Independent Counsel. If a written objection is made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel selected may not serve as Independent Counsel
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unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within 30 days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 6.1, no Independent Counsel is selected, or an Independent Counsel for which an objection thereto has been properly made remains unresolved, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition a court of competent jurisdiction for resolution of any objection which has been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the others selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the court or by such other person as the court may designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed will act as Independent Counsel under Section 6.2. The Company will pay any and all reasonable and necessary fees and expenses incurred by such Independent Counsel in connection with acting pursuant to Section 6.2 hereof, and the Company will pay all fees and expenses incident to the procedures of this Section 6.3, regardless of the manner in which such Independent Counsel was selected or appointed.
6.4 Burden of Proof . In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person, persons or entity making such determination will presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption will have the burden of proof. Indemnitee will be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitees action with respect to a particular Enterprise is based on the records or books of account of such Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers of such Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for such Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to such Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected by such Enterprise; provided , however this sentence will not be deemed to limit in any way the other circumstances in which Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the appropriate standard of conduct and provided further that this sentence shall not excuse fraudulent or other knowing improper actions taken by Indemnitee. In addition, the knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, officer, agent or employee of such Enterprise will not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement.
6.5 No Presumption in Absence of a Determination or As Result of an Adverse Determination; Presumption Regarding Success . Neither the failure of any person, persons or entity chosen to make a determination as to whether Indemnitee has met any particular standard of conduct or had any particular belief to make such determination, nor an actual determination by such person, persons or entity that Indemnitee has not met such standard of conduct or did not have such belief, prior to or after the commencement of legal proceedings by Indemnitee to secure a judicial determination that Indemnitee should be indemnified under this Agreement under Applicable Law, will be a defense to Indemnitees claim or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met any particular standard of conduct or did not have any particular belief. In addition, the termination of any Legal Action by settlement approved by the Management Board and Supervisory Board (whether with or without court approval) or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or its equivalent, will not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet any particular standard of conduct or have any particular belief or that a court has determined that indemnification is not permitted by this Agreement or Applicable Law.
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6.6 Timing of Determination . The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to cause any determination required to be made pursuant to Section 6.2 to be made as promptly as practicable after Indemnitee has submitted a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 6.1.
6.7 Timing of Payments . All payments of Expenses, including any Expense Advance, and other amounts by the Company to the Indemnitee pursuant to this Agreement will be made as soon as practicable after a written request or demand therefor by Indemnitee is presented to the Company, but in no event later than 30 days after (i) such demand is presented or (ii) such later date as a determination of entitlement to indemnification is made in accordance with Section 6.6, if applicable; provided , however , that an Expense Advance will be made within the time provided in Section 4.3 hereof.
6.8 Cooperation . Indemnitee will cooperate with the person, persons or entity making a determination with respect to Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity, upon reasonable advance request, any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination will be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification).
6.9 Time for Submission of Request . Indemnitee will be required to submit any request for Indemnification pursuant to this Article 6 within a reasonable time, not to exceed two years, after any judgment, order, settlement, dismissal, arbitration award, conviction, acceptance of a plea of nolo contendere (or its equivalent) or other full or partial final determination or disposition of the Legal Action (with the latest date of the occurrence of any such event to be considered the commencement of the two year period).
ARTICLE 7
LIABILITY INSURANCE
7.1 Liability Insurance . The Company will use its reasonable endeavors to obtain and maintain a policy or policies of Liability Insurance with one or more reputable insurance companies providing Indemnitee with coverage in such amount as will be determined by the Supervisory Board for Claims and Expenses paid or incurred by Indemnitee as a result of acts or omissions of Indemnitee in his or her Corporate Status, and to ensure the Companys performance of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement, to the extent that a policy covering the indemnification obligations under this Agreement is reasonably attainable; provided , however , in all policies of director and officer liability insurance obtained by the Company, Indemnitee will be named as an Insured in such manner as to provide Indemnitee with the same rights and benefits as are afforded to the other directors or officers, as applicable, of the Company under such policies. Any reductions to the amount of director and officer liability insurance coverage maintained by the Company as of the date hereof will be subject to the approval of the Supervisory Board.
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7.2 Notice to Insurers . If, at the time of receipt by the Company of a notice from any source of a Legal Action as to which Indemnitee is a party or participant, the Company will give prompt notice of such Legal Action to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies, the Company will provide Indemnitee with a copy of such notice. The Company will thereafter take all necessary or desirable actions to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Legal Action in accordance with the terms of such policies.
7.3 Cooperation with Company . The Indemnitee will cooperate in all ways with the Company and its counsel and, if required by the Company, with the insurers issuing the Companys Liability Insurance, to the extent the Company deems such cooperation reasonably necessary in connection with the tender, evaluation, investigation, and pursuant of insurance coverage for any Legal Action.
ARTICLE 8
REMEDIES OF INDEMNITEE
8.1 Action by Indemnitee . In the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Article 6 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) an Expense Advance is not timely made pursuant to Section 4.3 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification is made within the applicable time periods specified in Section 6.6 or (iv) payment of indemnified amounts is not made within the applicable time periods specified in Section 6.7, Indemnitee will be entitled to seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the rules of the American Arbitration Association; such award to be made within 60 days following the filing of the demand for arbitration. The provisions of the laws of the State of Texas (without regard to its conflict of laws rules that would cause the application of the laws of another jurisdiction) will apply to any such arbitration. The Company will not oppose Indemnitees right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.
8.2 Company Bound by Favorable Determination by Reviewing Party . If a determination is made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification pursuant to Article 6, the Company will be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Article 8, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitees statements in connection with the request for indemnification not materially misleading or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under Applicable Law.
8.3 Company Bound by Provisions of this Agreement . The Company and Indemnitee will each be precluded from asserting in any judicial or arbitration proceeding commenced pursuant to this Article 8 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and will stipulate in any such judicial or arbitration proceeding that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.
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ARTICLE 9
NON-EXCLUSIVITY, SUBROGATION; NO DUPLICATIVE PAYMENTS
9.1 Non-Exclusivity . The rights of indemnification and to receive Expense Advances as provided by this Agreement are not exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under Applicable Law, the Articles, any agreement, a vote of stockholders, a resolution of the directors or otherwise. To the extent Indemnitee otherwise would have any greater right to indemnification or payment of any advancement of Expenses under any other provisions under Applicable Law, the Articles, any agreement, vote of stockholders, a resolution of directors or otherwise, Indemnitee will be entitled under this Agreement to such greater right. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof limits or restricts any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in Applicable Law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification than would be afforded currently under the Articles and this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy will be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, will not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.
9.2 Subrogation . In the event of any payment by the Company under this Agreement, the Company will be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee with respect thereto, including rights under any policy of insurance or other indemnity agreement or obligation, and Indemnitee will execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights (it being understood that all of Indemnitees reasonable Expenses related thereto will be borne by the Company).
9.3 No Duplicative Payments . The Company will not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable (or any Expense for which advancement is provided) hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee is otherwise entitled to receive such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise. The Companys obligation to indemnify or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee in respect of Legal Actions relating to Indemnitees service at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, trustee, fiduciary or agent of any other Enterprise will be reduced by any amount Indemnitee is actually entitled to receive as indemnification or advancement of Expenses from such other Enterprise. Subject to Section 4.1, the indemnity obligations of this Agreement shall apply in excess of the Companys Liability Insurance and to any other insurance or indemnities available to the Indemnitee.
ARTICLE 10
DEFENSE OF PROCEEDINGS
10.1 Company Assuming the Defense . In the event the Company is obligated to pay in advance the Expenses of any Legal Action pursuant to Article 4, the Company will be entitled,
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by written notice to Indemnitee, to assume the defense of such Legal Action, with counsel approved by Indemnitee, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The Company will identify the counsel it proposes to employ in connection with such defense as part of the written notice sent to Indemnitee notifying Indemnitee of the Companys election to assume such defense, and Indemnitee will be required, within ten days following Indemnitees receipt of such notice, to inform the Company of its approval of such counsel or, if it has objections, the reasons therefor. If such objections cannot be resolved by the parties, the Company will identify alternative counsel, which counsel will also be subject to approval by Indemnitee in accordance with the procedure described in the prior sentence. In the absence of an actual conflict of interest that would prevent defense counsel from representing both the Indemnitee and other defendants in the Legal Action, the Indemnitee agrees that the Company may assign defense counsel to represent Indemnitee and other defendants in that Legal Action.
10.2 Right of Indemnitee to Employ Counsel . Following approval of counsel by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 10.1 and retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any fees and expenses of counsel subsequently incurred by Indemnitee with respect to the same Legal Action; provided , however , that (a) Indemnitee has the right to employ counsel in any such Legal Action at Indemnitees expense and (b) the Company will be required to pay the fees and expenses of Indemnitees counsel if (i) the employment of counsel by Indemnitee is authorized by the Company, (ii) an actual conflict of interest arises between the Company (or any other person or persons included in a joint defense) and Indemnitee in the conduct of such defense or representation by such counsel retained by the Company and the Company has not appointed new counsel without such conflict of interest to represent the Indemnitee or (iii) the Company does not continue to retain such counsel approved by the Indemnitee and the Company has not appointed new counsel to represent the Indemnitee in accordance with Section 10.1.
ARTICLE 11
SETTLEMENT
11.1 Company Bound by Provisions of this Agreement . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company will have no obligation to indemnify Indemnitee under this Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of any Legal Action effected without the Companys prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
11.2 When Indemnitees Prior Consent Required . The Company will not, without the prior written consent of Indemnitee, consent to the entry of any judgment against Indemnitee or enter into any settlement or compromise which (i) contains any non-monetary remedy imposed on Indemnitee or a Loss for which Indemnitee is not wholly indemnified hereunder or (ii) with respect to any Legal Action with respect to which Indemnitee is made a party or a participant or is otherwise entitled to seek indemnification hereunder, does not include, as an unconditional term thereof, the full release of Indemnitee from all liability in respect of such Legal Action. Neither the Company nor Indemnitee will unreasonably withhold its consent to any proposed settlement; provided , however , Indemnitee may withhold consent to any settlement that does not provide a full and unconditional release of Indemnitee from all liability in respect of such Legal Action.
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ARTICLE 12
DURATION OF AGREEMENT; PERIOD OF LIMITATIONS
12.1 Duration of Agreement . This Agreement will continue until and terminate upon the latest of (a) the statute of limitations applicable to any claim that could be asserted against an Indemnitee with respect to which Indemnitee may be entitled to indemnification and/or an Expense Advance under this Agreement, (b) ten years after the date that Indemnitee has ceased to serve as a director or officer of the Company or as a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, fiduciary or agent of any other Enterprise which Indemnitee served at the request of the Company, or (c) if, at the later of the dates referred to in (a) and (b) above, there is pending a Legal Action in respect of which Indemnitee is granted rights of indemnification or the right to an Expense Advance under this Agreement or a Legal Action commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Article 8 of this Agreement, one year after the final termination of such Legal Action, including any and all appeals.
ARTICLE 13
MISCELLANEOUS
13.1 Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties in respect of the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, to the extent they relate in any way to the subject matter hereof; provided , however , it is agreed that the provisions contained in this Agreement are a supplement to, and not a substitute for, any provisions regarding the same subject matter contained in the Articles and any employment or similar agreement between the parties.
13.2 Assignment; Binding Effect; Third Party Beneficiaries . No party may assign either this Agreement or any of its rights, interests or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the other party and any such assignment by a party without prior written approval of the other parties will be deemed invalid and not binding on such other parties. All of the terms, agreements, covenants, representations, warranties and conditions of this Agreement are binding upon, and inure to the benefit of and are enforceable by, the parties and their respective successors, permitted assigns, heirs, executors and personal and legal representatives. There are no third party beneficiaries having rights under or with respect to this Agreement.
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13.3 Notices . All notices, requests and other communications provided for or permitted to be given under this Agreement must be in writing and be given by personal delivery, by certified or registered mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested), by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service for next day delivery, or by facsimile transmission, as follows (or to such other address as any party may give in a notice given in accordance with the provisions hereof):
If to the Company:
Franks International N.V.
Prins Bernhardplein 200
1097 JB Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Attention: Brian D. Baird
Facsimile: (281) 558-2980
with a copy to:
Franks International N.V.
10260 Westheimer Rd.
Houston, Texas 77042
Attention: Brian D. Baird
Facsimile: (281) 558-2980
If to Indemnitee:
Sheldon Erikson
10260 Westheimer, Suite 700
Houston, TX 77042
Facsimile: (281) 558-2980
All notices, requests or other communications will be effective and deemed given only as follows: (i) if given by personal delivery, upon such personal delivery, (ii) if sent by certified or registered mail, on the fifth business day after being deposited in the United States mail, (iii) if sent for next day delivery by overnight delivery service, on the date of delivery as confirmed by written confirmation of delivery, (iv) if sent by facsimile, upon the transmitters confirmation of receipt of such facsimile transmission, except that if such confirmation is received after 5:00 p.m. (in the recipients time zone) on a business day, or is received on a day that is not a business day, then such notice, request or communication will not be deemed effective or given until the next succeeding business day. Notices, requests and other communications sent in any other manner, including by electronic mail, will not be effective.
13.4 Specific Performance; Remedies . Each party acknowledges and agrees that the other party would be damaged irreparably if any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with its specific terms or were otherwise breached. Accordingly, the parties will be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of the provisions of this Agreement and to enforce specifically this Agreement and its provisions in any action or proceeding instituted in any court having jurisdiction over the parties and the matter, in addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled, at law or in equity. Except as expressly provided for herein, the rights, obligations and remedies created by this Agreement are cumulative and in addition to any other rights, obligations or remedies otherwise available at law or in equity. Except as expressly provided herein, nothing herein will be considered an election of remedies.
13.5 Submission to Jurisdiction . Any Legal Action seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection with, this Agreement may only be
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brought in any courts in the State of Texas, which will be the exclusive and only proper forums for adjudicating such Legal Action, and each party consents to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of such courts (and of the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such Legal Action and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such Legal Action in any such court or that any such Legal Action brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Process in any such action, suit or proceeding may be served on any party anywhere in the world, whether within or without the jurisdiction of any such court.
13.6 Headings . The article and section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and will not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
13.7 Governing Law . This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without giving effect to any choice of law principles.
13.8 Amendment . This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by a writing signed by all of the parties.
13.9 Extensions; Waivers . Any party may, for itself only, (i) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations of any other party under this Agreement, (ii) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of any other party contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto and (iii) waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions for the benefit of such party contained herein. Any such extension or waiver will be valid only if set forth in a writing signed by the party to be bound thereby. No waiver by any party of any default, misrepresentation or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder, whether intentional or not, may be deemed to extend to any prior or subsequent default, misrepresentation or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder or affect in any way any rights arising because of any prior or subsequent such occurrence. Neither the failure nor any delay on the part of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise of any right or remedy preclude any other or further exercise of the same or of any other right or remedy.
13.10 Severability . The provisions of this Agreement will be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision will not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof; provided that if any provision of this Agreement, as applied to any party or to any circumstance, is judicially determined not to be enforceable in accordance with its terms, the parties agree that the court judicially making such determination may modify the provision in a manner consistent with its objectives such that it is enforceable, and/or to delete specific words or phrases, and in its modified form, such provision will then be enforceable and will be enforced.
13.11 Counterparts; Effectiveness . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement will become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties, which delivery may be made by exchange of copies of the signature page by facsimile or other electronic transmission.
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13.12 Construction . This Agreement has been freely and fairly negotiated among the parties. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any party because of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement. Any reference to any law will be deemed also to refer to such law as amended and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context requires otherwise. The words include, includes, and including will be deemed to be followed by without limitation. Pronouns in masculine, feminine, and neuter genders will be construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular form will be construed to include the plural and vice versa, unless the context otherwise requires. The words this Agreement, herein, hereof, hereby, hereunder, and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited. The parties intend that each representation, warranty, and covenant contained herein will have independent significance. If any party has breached any representation, warranty, or covenant contained herein in any respect, the fact that there exists another representation, warranty or covenant relating to the same subject matter (regardless of the relative levels of specificity) which the party has not breached will not detract from or mitigate the fact that the party is in breach of the first representation, warranty, or covenant. Time is of the essence in the performance of this Agreement.
[Signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL N.V. | ||
By: |
/s/ Brian D. Baird |
|
Name: | Brian D. Baird | |
Title: | Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary | |
Indemnitee | ||
/s/ Sheldon Erikson |
||
Signature | ||
Name: | Sheldon Erikson |
Exhibit 10.15
Execution Version
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
This Indemnification Agreement (this Agreement ) dated the 14th day of August, 2013, by and between Franks International N.V., a public limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands (the Company ), and Steven B. Mosing, an individual ( Indemnitee ).
RECITALS
A. Competent and experienced persons may be reluctant to serve or to continue to serve as directors, officers or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or indemnification (or both) against claims against them arising out of their service and activities on behalf of the corporation.
B. The current uncertainties relating to the availability of adequate insurance have increased the difficulty of attracting and retaining competent and experienced persons to serve in such capacity.
C. The supervisory board of the Company (the Supervisory Board ) has determined that the continuation of present trends in litigation will make it more difficult to attract and retain competent and experienced persons to serve as directors of the Company, that this situation is detrimental to the best interests of the Companys stockholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of adequate protection in the future.
D. As a supplement to and in the furtherance of the Companys Articles of Association, as amended (the Articles ), it is reasonable, prudent, desirable and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, and to pay in advance expenses on behalf of, directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, consistent with the Companys Liability Insurance, so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from concern that they will not be so indemnified and that their expenses will not be so paid in advance;
E. This Agreement is not a substitute for, nor is it intended to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee under, Liability Insurance, the Articles, any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto (including any contractual rights of Indemnitee that may exist) or otherwise;
F. Indemnitee is a director or officer of the Company and his or her willingness to continue to serve in such capacity is predicated, in substantial part, upon the Companys willingness to indemnify him or her to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, consistent with the Companys Liability Insurance, and upon the other undertakings set forth in this Agreement.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Agreement have the meanings set forth below:
Applicable Law means the laws of The Netherlands.
Claims means any and all liabilities, claims, judgments, fines (including excise taxes and penalties assessed with respect to employee benefit plans), penalties and all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of any of the foregoing.
Corporate Status means the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, trustee, fiduciary or agent of the Company or of any other Enterprise which such person is or was serving at the request of the Company. In addition to any service at the actual request of the Company, Indemnitee will be deemed, for purposes of this Agreement, to be serving or to have served at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, trustee, fiduciary or agent of another Enterprise if Indemnitee is or was serving as a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, fiduciary, trustee or agent of such Enterprise and (i) such Enterprise is or at the time of such service was a Controlled Affiliate, (ii) such Enterprise is or at the time of such service was an employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or a Controlled Affiliate or (iii) the Company or a Controlled Affiliate caused Indemnitee to be nominated, elected, appointed, designated, employed, engaged or selected to serve in such capacity on its behalf.
Controlled Affiliate means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other Enterprise, whether or not for profit, that is directly or indirectly controlled by the Company. For purposes of this definition, the term control means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct, or cause the direction of, the management or policies of an Enterprise, whether through the ownership of voting securities, through other voting rights, by contract or otherwise; provided , however , that direct or indirect beneficial ownership of capital stock or other interests in an Enterprise entitling the holder to cast 10% or more of the total number of votes generally entitled to be cast in the election of directors (or persons performing comparable functions) of such Enterprise will be deemed to constitute control for purposes of this definition.
Disinterested Director means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Legal Action, decision or Enterprise action in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.
Enterprise means the Company and any other corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, employee benefit plan, trust or other entity or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company in a Corporate Status.
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Expenses means all reasonable expenses, including attorneys fees and litigation costs, paid or incurred in connection with a Legal Action, or in connection with seeking indemnification under this Agreement. Expenses will also include Expenses reasonably paid or incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Legal Action. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Companys obligation to pay Expenses is limited to Expenses incurred after written notice is given to the Company of a Legal Action. When a Legal Action subject to the indemnity obligation in this Agreement presents both matters that are covered by the indemnity obligation and matters that are not, Expenses shall refer solely to Expenses incurred for the defense of those parts of the Legal Action that are covered by the indemnity obligation in this Agreement
Independent Counsel means an attorney or firm of attorneys that is experienced in matters of corporation law in the appropriate jurisdictions and neither currently is, nor in the past five (5) years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning the Indemnitee under this Agreement and/or the indemnification provisions of the Articles, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Legal Action giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term Independent Counsel does not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitees rights under this Agreement.
Legal Action means any expected, threatened, pending or completed action, investigation, or other proceeding, whether civil, criminal or administrative, and in each case commenced after the date of this Agreement, in which Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party or otherwise, by reason of or relating to Indemnitees Corporate Status and by reason of or relating to either (i) any action or alleged action taken by Indemnitee (or failure or alleged failure to act) or of any action or alleged action (or failure or alleged failure to act) on Indemnitees part, while acting in his or her Corporate Status or (ii) the fact that Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, trustee, fiduciary or agent of another Enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any Loss or Expense is paid or incurred for which indemnification or advancement of Expenses can be provided under this Agreement, except one initiated by Indemnitee to enforce his or her rights under this Agreement.
Liability Insurance means such director and officer liability insurance (or the equivalent), which the Company purchases for the benefit of its directors and officers.
Management Board means the management board of the Company.
Person shall be construed broadly and shall include, without limitation, an individual, a partnership, stichting , commanditaire vennootschap , besloten vennootschap , a limited liability company, a corporation, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization and a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.
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References to serving at the request of the Company include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to any employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan will be deemed to have acted in a manner not opposed to the best interests of the Company as referred to under applicable law or in this Agreement.
ARTICLE 2
SERVICES TO THE COMPANY
2.1 Services to the Company . Indemnitee agrees to serve as an officer or as a director on the Companys Supervisory Board. Indemnitee may at any time and for any reason resign from such position (subject to any other contractual obligation or any obligation imposed by operation of law), in which event the Company will have no obligation under this Agreement to continue Indemnitee in such position. This Agreement will not be construed as giving Indemnitee any right to be retained as an officer, as a director on the Companys Supervisory Board or in any other position with the Company (or any other Enterprise).
ARTICLE 3
INDEMNIFICATION
3.1 Company Indemnification . Except as otherwise provided in this Article 3, if Indemnitee was, is or becomes a party to, or was or is threatened to be made a party to, or was or is otherwise involved in, any Legal Action, the Company will indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by the Articles and Applicable Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, interpreted or replaced, against any and all Expenses, Claims or amounts paid in settlement, and any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, that are paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Legal Action.
3.2 Mandatory Indemnification if Indemnitee is Wholly or Partly Successful . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (other than Section 6.9), to the extent that Indemnitee has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in defense of any Legal Action or any part thereof, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses that are paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Legal Action, but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but fewer than all Claims, issues or matters in such Legal Action, the Company will indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee against all Expenses paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with each successfully resolved Claim, issue or matter on which Indemnitee was successful. For purposes of this Section 3.2, the termination of any Legal Action, or any Claim, issue or matter in such Legal Action, by dismissal with or without prejudice will be deemed to be a successful result as to such Legal Action, Claim, issue or matter.
3.3 Indemnification for Expenses of a Witness . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his or her Corporate Status, a witness in any Legal Action to which Indemnitee is not a party, the Company will advance all reasonable expenses and indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses paid or incurred by Indemnitee on his or her behalf in connection therewith.
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3.4 Exclusions . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company will not be obligated under this Agreement to provide indemnification in connection with the following:
(a) Any Legal Action (or part of any Legal Action) initiated or brought voluntarily by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnities, unless the Management Board has authorized or consented to the initiation of the Legal Action (or such part of any Legal Action) with approval of the Supervisory Board.
(b) An accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any similar successor statute or for any Claims to the extent that they represent the gain in fact of any profit or advantage to which the Indemnitee is not legally entitled.
(c) If a court of competent jurisdiction has made a final and binding judgment that the act or omission of the Indemnitee can be characterized as a result of willful misconduct ( opzet ), willful recklessness ( bewuste roekeloosheid ) or serious culpability ( ernstig verwijt ) under Applicable Law.
(d) For any Legal Action arising out of, based upon or attributable to the committing in fact by the Indemnitee of any deliberate criminal or deliberate fraudulent act.
ARTICLE 4
ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES
4.1 Expense Advances . Except as set forth in Section 4.2, the Company will, if requested by Indemnitee, advance, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, to Indemnitee (hereinafter an Expense Advance ) any and all Expenses paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Legal Action (whether prior to or after its final disposition). Indemnitees right to each Expense Advance will be subject to the requirements of the next sentence but not otherwise subject to the satisfaction of any standard of conduct and will be made without regard to Indemnitees ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement, or under provisions of the Articles or otherwise. Each Expense Advance will be unsecured and interest free and will be made by the Company upon a resolution of the Supervisory Board; provided , however , that an Expense Advance will be made only upon delivery to the Company of an undertaking (hereinafter an Undertaking ), in a form satisfactory to the Company, by or on behalf of Indemnitee, to immediately repay such Expense Advance if it is ultimately determined, by final and binding judgment by a court or arbitrator, as applicable, from which there is no further right to appeal, that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such Expenses under the Articles or Applicable Law. An Expense eligible for an Expense Advance will include any and all reasonable Expenses incurred pursuing an action to enforce the right of advancement provided for in this Article 4.
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4.2 Exclusions . Indemnitee will not be entitled to any Expense Advance in connection with any of the matters for which indemnity is excluded pursuant to Section 3.4.
4.3 Timing . An Expense Advance pursuant to Section 4.1 will be made within fifteen business days after the resolution of the Management Board is approved by the Supervisory Board with respect to such Expense Advance; provided , however , that no such Expense Advance will be made by the Company prior to receipt by the Company of the Undertaking.
ARTICLE 5
CONTRIBUTION IN THE EVENT OF JOINT LIABILITY
5.1 Contribution by Company . To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, will contribute to the amount of Expenses and Claims incurred or paid by Indemnitee in connection with any Legal Action in proportion to the relative benefits received by the Company and all officers, directors and employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee, on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, from the transaction from which such Legal Action arose; provided , however , that the proportion determined on the basis of relative benefit may, to the extent necessary to conform to law, be further adjusted by reference to the relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors and employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee, on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, in connection with the events that resulted in such Expenses and Claims, as well as any other equitable considerations which applicable law may require to be considered. The relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors and employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee, on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, will be determined by reference to, among other things, the degree to which their actions were motivated by intent to gain personal profit or advantage, the degree to which their liability is primary or secondary, and the degree to which their conduct was active or passive.
5.2 Indemnification for Contribution Claims by Others . To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, the indemnification herein will include claims of contribution which may be brought by other officers, directors or employees of the Company who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee for any Loss or Expense arising from a Legal Action.
ARTICLE 6
PROCEDURES AND PRESUMPTIONS FOR THE
DETERMINATION OF ENTITLEMENT TO INDEMNIFICATION
6.1 Notification of Claims; Request for Indemnification . Indemnitee agrees to notify promptly the Company in writing of any claim made against Indemnitee for which indemnification will or could be sought under this Agreement; provided , however , that a delay in giving such notice will not deprive Indemnitee of any right to be indemnified under this Agreement unless, and then only to the extent that, the Company did not otherwise learn of the
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Legal Action and such delay is materially prejudicial to the Companys ability to defend or to obtain coverage under the Companys Liability Insurance for such Legal Action; and, provided , further , that notice will be deemed to have been given without any action on the part of Indemnitee in the event the Company is a party to the same Legal Action. The omission to notify the Company will not relieve the Company from any liability for indemnification which it may have to Indemnitee otherwise than under this Agreement. Indemnitee may deliver to the Company a written request to have the Company indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee in accordance with this Agreement. Subject to Section 6.9, such request may be delivered from time to time and at such time(s) as Indemnitee deems appropriate in his or her sole discretion. Following such a written request for indemnification, Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification shall be determined according to Section 6.2. The Secretary of the Company will, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Management Board in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification. The Company will be entitled to participate in any Legal Action at its own expense.
6.2 Determination of Right to Indemnification . Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 6.1 hereof with respect to any Legal Action, a determination with respect to Indemnitees entitlement thereto will be made by one of the following, at the election of the Company: (1) so long as there are Disinterested Directors with respect to such Legal Action, a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Supervisory Board, (2) so long as there are Disinterested Directors with respect to such Legal Action, a committee of such Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of such Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Supervisory Board or (3) Independent Counsel in a written opinion delivered to the Supervisory Board, a copy of which will also be delivered to Indemnitee. The election by the Company to use a particular person, persons or entity to make such determination is to be included in a written notification to Indemnitee. The person, persons or entity chosen to make a determination under this Agreement of the Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification shall act reasonably and in good faith in making such determination.
6.3 Selection of Independent Counsel . If the determination of entitlement to indemnification pursuant to Section 6.2 will be made by an Independent Counsel, the Independent Counsel will be selected as provided in this Section 6.3. The Independent Counsel will be selected by the Company (unless the Company requests that such selection be made by the Indemnitee, in which event the immediately following sentence will apply), and the Company will give written notice to Indemnitee advising Indemnitee of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. If the Independent Counsel is selected by the Indemnitee, Indemnitee will give written notice to the Company advising of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. In either event, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within ten days after such written notice of selection is given, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided , however , that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of Independent Counsel as defined in this Agreement, and the objection will set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected will act as Independent Counsel. If a written objection is made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel selected may not serve as Independent Counsel
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unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within 30 days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 6.1, no Independent Counsel is selected, or an Independent Counsel for which an objection thereto has been properly made remains unresolved, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition a court of competent jurisdiction for resolution of any objection which has been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the others selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the court or by such other person as the court may designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed will act as Independent Counsel under Section 6.2. The Company will pay any and all reasonable and necessary fees and expenses incurred by such Independent Counsel in connection with acting pursuant to Section 6.2 hereof, and the Company will pay all fees and expenses incident to the procedures of this Section 6.3, regardless of the manner in which such Independent Counsel was selected or appointed.
6.4 Burden of Proof . In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person, persons or entity making such determination will presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption will have the burden of proof. Indemnitee will be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitees action with respect to a particular Enterprise is based on the records or books of account of such Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers of such Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for such Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to such Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected by such Enterprise; provided , however this sentence will not be deemed to limit in any way the other circumstances in which Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the appropriate standard of conduct and provided further that this sentence shall not excuse fraudulent or other knowing improper actions taken by Indemnitee. In addition, the knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, officer, agent or employee of such Enterprise will not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement.
6.5 No Presumption in Absence of a Determination or As Result of an Adverse Determination; Presumption Regarding Success . Neither the failure of any person, persons or entity chosen to make a determination as to whether Indemnitee has met any particular standard of conduct or had any particular belief to make such determination, nor an actual determination by such person, persons or entity that Indemnitee has not met such standard of conduct or did not have such belief, prior to or after the commencement of legal proceedings by Indemnitee to secure a judicial determination that Indemnitee should be indemnified under this Agreement under Applicable Law, will be a defense to Indemnitees claim or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met any particular standard of conduct or did not have any particular belief. In addition, the termination of any Legal Action by settlement approved by the Management Board and Supervisory Board (whether with or without court approval) or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or its equivalent, will not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet any particular standard of conduct or have any particular belief or that a court has determined that indemnification is not permitted by this Agreement or Applicable Law.
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6.6 Timing of Determination . The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to cause any determination required to be made pursuant to Section 6.2 to be made as promptly as practicable after Indemnitee has submitted a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 6.1.
6.7 Timing of Payments . All payments of Expenses, including any Expense Advance, and other amounts by the Company to the Indemnitee pursuant to this Agreement will be made as soon as practicable after a written request or demand therefor by Indemnitee is presented to the Company, but in no event later than 30 days after (i) such demand is presented or (ii) such later date as a determination of entitlement to indemnification is made in accordance with Section 6.6, if applicable; provided , however , that an Expense Advance will be made within the time provided in Section 4.3 hereof.
6.8 Cooperation . Indemnitee will cooperate with the person, persons or entity making a determination with respect to Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity, upon reasonable advance request, any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination will be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification).
6.9 Time for Submission of Request . Indemnitee will be required to submit any request for Indemnification pursuant to this Article 6 within a reasonable time, not to exceed two years, after any judgment, order, settlement, dismissal, arbitration award, conviction, acceptance of a plea of nolo contendere (or its equivalent) or other full or partial final determination or disposition of the Legal Action (with the latest date of the occurrence of any such event to be considered the commencement of the two year period).
ARTICLE 7
LIABILITY INSURANCE
7.1 Liability Insurance . The Company will use its reasonable endeavors to obtain and maintain a policy or policies of Liability Insurance with one or more reputable insurance companies providing Indemnitee with coverage in such amount as will be determined by the Supervisory Board for Claims and Expenses paid or incurred by Indemnitee as a result of acts or omissions of Indemnitee in his or her Corporate Status, and to ensure the Companys performance of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement, to the extent that a policy covering the indemnification obligations under this Agreement is reasonably attainable; provided , however , in all policies of director and officer liability insurance obtained by the Company, Indemnitee will be named as an Insured in such manner as to provide Indemnitee with the same rights and benefits as are afforded to the other directors or officers, as applicable, of the Company under such policies. Any reductions to the amount of director and officer liability insurance coverage maintained by the Company as of the date hereof will be subject to the approval of the Supervisory Board.
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7.2 Notice to Insurers . If, at the time of receipt by the Company of a notice from any source of a Legal Action as to which Indemnitee is a party or participant, the Company will give prompt notice of such Legal Action to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies, the Company will provide Indemnitee with a copy of such notice. The Company will thereafter take all necessary or desirable actions to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Legal Action in accordance with the terms of such policies.
7.3 Cooperation with Company . The Indemnitee will cooperate in all ways with the Company and its counsel and, if required by the Company, with the insurers issuing the Companys Liability Insurance, to the extent the Company deems such cooperation reasonably necessary in connection with the tender, evaluation, investigation, and pursuant of insurance coverage for any Legal Action.
ARTICLE 8
REMEDIES OF INDEMNITEE
8.1 Action by Indemnitee . In the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Article 6 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) an Expense Advance is not timely made pursuant to Section 4.3 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification is made within the applicable time periods specified in Section 6.6 or (iv) payment of indemnified amounts is not made within the applicable time periods specified in Section 6.7, Indemnitee will be entitled to seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the rules of the American Arbitration Association; such award to be made within 60 days following the filing of the demand for arbitration. The provisions of the laws of the State of Texas (without regard to its conflict of laws rules that would cause the application of the laws of another jurisdiction) will apply to any such arbitration. The Company will not oppose Indemnitees right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.
8.2 Company Bound by Favorable Determination by Reviewing Party . If a determination is made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification pursuant to Article 6, the Company will be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Article 8, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitees statements in connection with the request for indemnification not materially misleading or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under Applicable Law.
8.3 Company Bound by Provisions of this Agreement . The Company and Indemnitee will each be precluded from asserting in any judicial or arbitration proceeding commenced pursuant to this Article 8 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and will stipulate in any such judicial or arbitration proceeding that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.
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ARTICLE 9
NON-EXCLUSIVITY, SUBROGATION; NO DUPLICATIVE PAYMENTS
9.1 Non-Exclusivity . The rights of indemnification and to receive Expense Advances as provided by this Agreement are not exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under Applicable Law, the Articles, any agreement, a vote of stockholders, a resolution of the directors or otherwise. To the extent Indemnitee otherwise would have any greater right to indemnification or payment of any advancement of Expenses under any other provisions under Applicable Law, the Articles, any agreement, vote of stockholders, a resolution of directors or otherwise, Indemnitee will be entitled under this Agreement to such greater right. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof limits or restricts any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in Applicable Law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification than would be afforded currently under the Articles and this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy will be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, will not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.
9.2 Subrogation . In the event of any payment by the Company under this Agreement, the Company will be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee with respect thereto, including rights under any policy of insurance or other indemnity agreement or obligation, and Indemnitee will execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights (it being understood that all of Indemnitees reasonable Expenses related thereto will be borne by the Company).
9.3 No Duplicative Payments . The Company will not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable (or any Expense for which advancement is provided) hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee is otherwise entitled to receive such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise. The Companys obligation to indemnify or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee in respect of Legal Actions relating to Indemnitees service at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, trustee, fiduciary or agent of any other Enterprise will be reduced by any amount Indemnitee is actually entitled to receive as indemnification or advancement of Expenses from such other Enterprise. Subject to Section 4.1, the indemnity obligations of this Agreement shall apply in excess of the Companys Liability Insurance and to any other insurance or indemnities available to the Indemnitee.
ARTICLE 10
DEFENSE OF PROCEEDINGS
10.1 Company Assuming the Defense . In the event the Company is obligated to pay in advance the Expenses of any Legal Action pursuant to Article 4, the Company will be entitled,
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by written notice to Indemnitee, to assume the defense of such Legal Action, with counsel approved by Indemnitee, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The Company will identify the counsel it proposes to employ in connection with such defense as part of the written notice sent to Indemnitee notifying Indemnitee of the Companys election to assume such defense, and Indemnitee will be required, within ten days following Indemnitees receipt of such notice, to inform the Company of its approval of such counsel or, if it has objections, the reasons therefor. If such objections cannot be resolved by the parties, the Company will identify alternative counsel, which counsel will also be subject to approval by Indemnitee in accordance with the procedure described in the prior sentence. In the absence of an actual conflict of interest that would prevent defense counsel from representing both the Indemnitee and other defendants in the Legal Action, the Indemnitee agrees that the Company may assign defense counsel to represent Indemnitee and other defendants in that Legal Action.
10.2 Right of Indemnitee to Employ Counsel . Following approval of counsel by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 10.1 and retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any fees and expenses of counsel subsequently incurred by Indemnitee with respect to the same Legal Action; provided , however , that (a) Indemnitee has the right to employ counsel in any such Legal Action at Indemnitees expense and (b) the Company will be required to pay the fees and expenses of Indemnitees counsel if (i) the employment of counsel by Indemnitee is authorized by the Company, (ii) an actual conflict of interest arises between the Company (or any other person or persons included in a joint defense) and Indemnitee in the conduct of such defense or representation by such counsel retained by the Company and the Company has not appointed new counsel without such conflict of interest to represent the Indemnitee or (iii) the Company does not continue to retain such counsel approved by the Indemnitee and the Company has not appointed new counsel to represent the Indemnitee in accordance with Section 10.1.
ARTICLE 11
SETTLEMENT
11.1 Company Bound by Provisions of this Agreement . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company will have no obligation to indemnify Indemnitee under this Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of any Legal Action effected without the Companys prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
11.2 When Indemnitees Prior Consent Required . The Company will not, without the prior written consent of Indemnitee, consent to the entry of any judgment against Indemnitee or enter into any settlement or compromise which (i) contains any non-monetary remedy imposed on Indemnitee or a Loss for which Indemnitee is not wholly indemnified hereunder or (ii) with respect to any Legal Action with respect to which Indemnitee is made a party or a participant or is otherwise entitled to seek indemnification hereunder, does not include, as an unconditional term thereof, the full release of Indemnitee from all liability in respect of such Legal Action. Neither the Company nor Indemnitee will unreasonably withhold its consent to any proposed settlement; provided , however , Indemnitee may withhold consent to any settlement that does not provide a full and unconditional release of Indemnitee from all liability in respect of such Legal Action.
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ARTICLE 12
DURATION OF AGREEMENT; PERIOD OF LIMITATIONS
12.1 Duration of Agreement . This Agreement will continue until and terminate upon the latest of (a) the statute of limitations applicable to any claim that could be asserted against an Indemnitee with respect to which Indemnitee may be entitled to indemnification and/or an Expense Advance under this Agreement, (b) ten years after the date that Indemnitee has ceased to serve as a director or officer of the Company or as a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, fiduciary or agent of any other Enterprise which Indemnitee served at the request of the Company, or (c) if, at the later of the dates referred to in (a) and (b) above, there is pending a Legal Action in respect of which Indemnitee is granted rights of indemnification or the right to an Expense Advance under this Agreement or a Legal Action commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Article 8 of this Agreement, one year after the final termination of such Legal Action, including any and all appeals.
ARTICLE 13
MISCELLANEOUS
13.1 Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties in respect of the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, to the extent they relate in any way to the subject matter hereof; provided , however , it is agreed that the provisions contained in this Agreement are a supplement to, and not a substitute for, any provisions regarding the same subject matter contained in the Articles and any employment or similar agreement between the parties.
13.2 Assignment; Binding Effect; Third Party Beneficiaries . No party may assign either this Agreement or any of its rights, interests or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the other party and any such assignment by a party without prior written approval of the other parties will be deemed invalid and not binding on such other parties. All of the terms, agreements, covenants, representations, warranties and conditions of this Agreement are binding upon, and inure to the benefit of and are enforceable by, the parties and their respective successors, permitted assigns, heirs, executors and personal and legal representatives. There are no third party beneficiaries having rights under or with respect to this Agreement.
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13.3 Notices . All notices, requests and other communications provided for or permitted to be given under this Agreement must be in writing and be given by personal delivery, by certified or registered mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested), by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service for next day delivery, or by facsimile transmission, as follows (or to such other address as any party may give in a notice given in accordance with the provisions hereof):
If to the Company:
Franks International N.V.
Prins Bernhardplein 200
1097 JB Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Attention: Brian D. Baird
Facsimile: (281) 558-2980
with a copy to:
Franks International N.V.
10260 Westheimer Rd.
Houston, Texas 77042
Attention: Brian D. Baird
Facsimile: (281) 558-2980
If to Indemnitee:
Steven B. Mosing
10260 Westheimer, Suite 700
Houston, TX 77042
Facsimile: (281) 558-2980
All notices, requests or other communications will be effective and deemed given only as follows: (i) if given by personal delivery, upon such personal delivery, (ii) if sent by certified or registered mail, on the fifth business day after being deposited in the United States mail, (iii) if sent for next day delivery by overnight delivery service, on the date of delivery as confirmed by written confirmation of delivery, (iv) if sent by facsimile, upon the transmitters confirmation of receipt of such facsimile transmission, except that if such confirmation is received after 5:00 p.m. (in the recipients time zone) on a business day, or is received on a day that is not a business day, then such notice, request or communication will not be deemed effective or given until the next succeeding business day. Notices, requests and other communications sent in any other manner, including by electronic mail, will not be effective.
13.4 Specific Performance; Remedies . Each party acknowledges and agrees that the other party would be damaged irreparably if any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with its specific terms or were otherwise breached. Accordingly, the parties will be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of the provisions of this Agreement and to enforce specifically this Agreement and its provisions in any action or proceeding instituted in any court having jurisdiction over the parties and the matter, in addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled, at law or in equity. Except as expressly provided for herein, the rights, obligations and remedies created by this Agreement are cumulative and in addition to any other rights, obligations or remedies otherwise available at law or in equity. Except as expressly provided herein, nothing herein will be considered an election of remedies.
13.5 Submission to Jurisdiction . Any Legal Action seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection with, this Agreement may only be
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brought in any courts in the State of Texas, which will be the exclusive and only proper forums for adjudicating such Legal Action, and each party consents to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of such courts (and of the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such Legal Action and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such Legal Action in any such court or that any such Legal Action brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Process in any such action, suit or proceeding may be served on any party anywhere in the world, whether within or without the jurisdiction of any such court.
13.6 Headings . The article and section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and will not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
13.7 Governing Law . This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without giving effect to any choice of law principles.
13.8 Amendment . This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by a writing signed by all of the parties.
13.9 Extensions; Waivers . Any party may, for itself only, (i) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations of any other party under this Agreement, (ii) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of any other party contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto and (iii) waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions for the benefit of such party contained herein. Any such extension or waiver will be valid only if set forth in a writing signed by the party to be bound thereby. No waiver by any party of any default, misrepresentation or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder, whether intentional or not, may be deemed to extend to any prior or subsequent default, misrepresentation or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder or affect in any way any rights arising because of any prior or subsequent such occurrence. Neither the failure nor any delay on the part of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise of any right or remedy preclude any other or further exercise of the same or of any other right or remedy.
13.10 Severability . The provisions of this Agreement will be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision will not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof; provided that if any provision of this Agreement, as applied to any party or to any circumstance, is judicially determined not to be enforceable in accordance with its terms, the parties agree that the court judicially making such determination may modify the provision in a manner consistent with its objectives such that it is enforceable, and/or to delete specific words or phrases, and in its modified form, such provision will then be enforceable and will be enforced.
13.11 Counterparts; Effectiveness . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement will become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties, which delivery may be made by exchange of copies of the signature page by facsimile or other electronic transmission.
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13.12 Construction . This Agreement has been freely and fairly negotiated among the parties. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any party because of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement. Any reference to any law will be deemed also to refer to such law as amended and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context requires otherwise. The words include, includes, and including will be deemed to be followed by without limitation. Pronouns in masculine, feminine, and neuter genders will be construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular form will be construed to include the plural and vice versa, unless the context otherwise requires. The words this Agreement, herein, hereof, hereby, hereunder, and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited. The parties intend that each representation, warranty, and covenant contained herein will have independent significance. If any party has breached any representation, warranty, or covenant contained herein in any respect, the fact that there exists another representation, warranty or covenant relating to the same subject matter (regardless of the relative levels of specificity) which the party has not breached will not detract from or mitigate the fact that the party is in breach of the first representation, warranty, or covenant. Time is of the essence in the performance of this Agreement.
[Signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL N.V. | ||
By: |
/s/ Brian D. Baird |
|
Name: | Brian D. Baird | |
Title: | Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary | |
Indemnitee | ||
/s/ Steven B. Mosing |
||
Signature | ||
Name: | Steven B. Mosing |
Exhibit 10.16
Execution Version
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
This Indemnification Agreement (this Agreement ) dated the 14th day of August, 2013, by and between Franks International N.V., a public limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of The Netherlands (the Company ), and W. John Walker, an individual ( Indemnitee ).
RECITALS
A. Competent and experienced persons may be reluctant to serve or to continue to serve as directors, officers or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or indemnification (or both) against claims against them arising out of their service and activities on behalf of the corporation.
B. The current uncertainties relating to the availability of adequate insurance have increased the difficulty of attracting and retaining competent and experienced persons to serve in such capacity.
C. The supervisory board of the Company (the Supervisory Board ) has determined that the continuation of present trends in litigation will make it more difficult to attract and retain competent and experienced persons to serve as directors of the Company, that this situation is detrimental to the best interests of the Companys stockholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of adequate protection in the future.
D. As a supplement to and in the furtherance of the Companys Articles of Association, as amended (the Articles ), it is reasonable, prudent, desirable and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, and to pay in advance expenses on behalf of, directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, consistent with the Companys Liability Insurance, so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from concern that they will not be so indemnified and that their expenses will not be so paid in advance;
E. This Agreement is not a substitute for, nor is it intended to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee under, Liability Insurance, the Articles, any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto (including any contractual rights of Indemnitee that may exist) or otherwise;
F. Indemnitee is a director or officer of the Company and his or her willingness to continue to serve in such capacity is predicated, in substantial part, upon the Companys willingness to indemnify him or her to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, consistent with the Companys Liability Insurance, and upon the other undertakings set forth in this Agreement.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Agreement have the meanings set forth below:
Applicable Law means the laws of The Netherlands.
Claims means any and all liabilities, claims, judgments, fines (including excise taxes and penalties assessed with respect to employee benefit plans), penalties and all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of any of the foregoing.
Corporate Status means the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, trustee, fiduciary or agent of the Company or of any other Enterprise which such person is or was serving at the request of the Company. In addition to any service at the actual request of the Company, Indemnitee will be deemed, for purposes of this Agreement, to be serving or to have served at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, trustee, fiduciary or agent of another Enterprise if Indemnitee is or was serving as a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, fiduciary, trustee or agent of such Enterprise and (i) such Enterprise is or at the time of such service was a Controlled Affiliate, (ii) such Enterprise is or at the time of such service was an employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or a Controlled Affiliate or (iii) the Company or a Controlled Affiliate caused Indemnitee to be nominated, elected, appointed, designated, employed, engaged or selected to serve in such capacity on its behalf.
Controlled Affiliate means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other Enterprise, whether or not for profit, that is directly or indirectly controlled by the Company. For purposes of this definition, the term control means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct, or cause the direction of, the management or policies of an Enterprise, whether through the ownership of voting securities, through other voting rights, by contract or otherwise; provided , however , that direct or indirect beneficial ownership of capital stock or other interests in an Enterprise entitling the holder to cast 10% or more of the total number of votes generally entitled to be cast in the election of directors (or persons performing comparable functions) of such Enterprise will be deemed to constitute control for purposes of this definition.
Disinterested Director means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Legal Action, decision or Enterprise action in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.
Enterprise means the Company and any other corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, employee benefit plan, trust or other entity or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company in a Corporate Status.
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Expenses means all reasonable expenses, including attorneys fees and litigation costs, paid or incurred in connection with a Legal Action, or in connection with seeking indemnification under this Agreement. Expenses will also include Expenses reasonably paid or incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Legal Action. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Companys obligation to pay Expenses is limited to Expenses incurred after written notice is given to the Company of a Legal Action. When a Legal Action subject to the indemnity obligation in this Agreement presents both matters that are covered by the indemnity obligation and matters that are not, Expenses shall refer solely to Expenses incurred for the defense of those parts of the Legal Action that are covered by the indemnity obligation in this Agreement
Independent Counsel means an attorney or firm of attorneys that is experienced in matters of corporation law in the appropriate jurisdictions and neither currently is, nor in the past five (5) years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning the Indemnitee under this Agreement and/or the indemnification provisions of the Articles, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Legal Action giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term Independent Counsel does not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitees rights under this Agreement.
Legal Action means any expected, threatened, pending or completed action, investigation, or other proceeding, whether civil, criminal or administrative, and in each case commenced after the date of this Agreement, in which Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party or otherwise, by reason of or relating to Indemnitees Corporate Status and by reason of or relating to either (i) any action or alleged action taken by Indemnitee (or failure or alleged failure to act) or of any action or alleged action (or failure or alleged failure to act) on Indemnitees part, while acting in his or her Corporate Status or (ii) the fact that Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, trustee, fiduciary or agent of another Enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any Loss or Expense is paid or incurred for which indemnification or advancement of Expenses can be provided under this Agreement, except one initiated by Indemnitee to enforce his or her rights under this Agreement.
Liability Insurance means such director and officer liability insurance (or the equivalent), which the Company purchases for the benefit of its directors and officers.
Management Board means the management board of the Company.
Person shall be construed broadly and shall include, without limitation, an individual, a partnership, stichting , commanditaire vennootschap , besloten vennootschap , a limited liability company, a corporation, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization and a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.
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References to serving at the request of the Company include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to any employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan will be deemed to have acted in a manner not opposed to the best interests of the Company as referred to under applicable law or in this Agreement.
ARTICLE 2
SERVICES TO THE COMPANY
2.1 Services to the Company . Indemnitee agrees to serve as an officer or as a director on the Companys Supervisory Board. Indemnitee may at any time and for any reason resign from such position (subject to any other contractual obligation or any obligation imposed by operation of law), in which event the Company will have no obligation under this Agreement to continue Indemnitee in such position. This Agreement will not be construed as giving Indemnitee any right to be retained as an officer, as a director on the Companys Supervisory Board or in any other position with the Company (or any other Enterprise).
ARTICLE 3
INDEMNIFICATION
3.1 Company Indemnification . Except as otherwise provided in this Article 3, if Indemnitee was, is or becomes a party to, or was or is threatened to be made a party to, or was or is otherwise involved in, any Legal Action, the Company will indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by the Articles and Applicable Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, interpreted or replaced, against any and all Expenses, Claims or amounts paid in settlement, and any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, that are paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Legal Action.
3.2 Mandatory Indemnification if Indemnitee is Wholly or Partly Successful . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (other than Section 6.9), to the extent that Indemnitee has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in defense of any Legal Action or any part thereof, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses that are paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Legal Action, but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but fewer than all Claims, issues or matters in such Legal Action, the Company will indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee against all Expenses paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with each successfully resolved Claim, issue or matter on which Indemnitee was successful. For purposes of this Section 3.2, the termination of any Legal Action, or any Claim, issue or matter in such Legal Action, by dismissal with or without prejudice will be deemed to be a successful result as to such Legal Action, Claim, issue or matter.
3.3 Indemnification for Expenses of a Witness . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his or her Corporate Status, a witness in any Legal Action to which Indemnitee is not a party, the Company will advance all reasonable expenses and indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses paid or incurred by Indemnitee on his or her behalf in connection therewith.
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3.4 Exclusions . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company will not be obligated under this Agreement to provide indemnification in connection with the following:
(a) Any Legal Action (or part of any Legal Action) initiated or brought voluntarily by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnities, unless the Management Board has authorized or consented to the initiation of the Legal Action (or such part of any Legal Action) with approval of the Supervisory Board.
(b) An accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any similar successor statute or for any Claims to the extent that they represent the gain in fact of any profit or advantage to which the Indemnitee is not legally entitled.
(c) If a court of competent jurisdiction has made a final and binding judgment that the act or omission of the Indemnitee can be characterized as a result of willful misconduct ( opzet ), willful recklessness ( bewuste roekeloosheid ) or serious culpability ( ernstig verwijt ) under Applicable Law.
(d) For any Legal Action arising out of, based upon or attributable to the committing in fact by the Indemnitee of any deliberate criminal or deliberate fraudulent act.
ARTICLE 4
ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES
4.1 Expense Advances . Except as set forth in Section 4.2, the Company will, if requested by Indemnitee, advance, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, to Indemnitee (hereinafter an Expense Advance ) any and all Expenses paid or incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Legal Action (whether prior to or after its final disposition). Indemnitees right to each Expense Advance will be subject to the requirements of the next sentence but not otherwise subject to the satisfaction of any standard of conduct and will be made without regard to Indemnitees ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement, or under provisions of the Articles or otherwise. Each Expense Advance will be unsecured and interest free and will be made by the Company upon a resolution of the Supervisory Board; provided , however , that an Expense Advance will be made only upon delivery to the Company of an undertaking (hereinafter an Undertaking ), in a form satisfactory to the Company, by or on behalf of Indemnitee, to immediately repay such Expense Advance if it is ultimately determined, by final and binding judgment by a court or arbitrator, as applicable, from which there is no further right to appeal, that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such Expenses under the Articles or Applicable Law. An Expense eligible for an Expense Advance will include any and all reasonable Expenses incurred pursuing an action to enforce the right of advancement provided for in this Article 4.
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4.2 Exclusions . Indemnitee will not be entitled to any Expense Advance in connection with any of the matters for which indemnity is excluded pursuant to Section 3.4.
4.3 Timing . An Expense Advance pursuant to Section 4.1 will be made within fifteen business days after the resolution of the Management Board is approved by the Supervisory Board with respect to such Expense Advance; provided , however , that no such Expense Advance will be made by the Company prior to receipt by the Company of the Undertaking.
ARTICLE 5
CONTRIBUTION IN THE EVENT OF JOINT LIABILITY
5.1 Contribution by Company . To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, will contribute to the amount of Expenses and Claims incurred or paid by Indemnitee in connection with any Legal Action in proportion to the relative benefits received by the Company and all officers, directors and employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee, on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, from the transaction from which such Legal Action arose; provided , however , that the proportion determined on the basis of relative benefit may, to the extent necessary to conform to law, be further adjusted by reference to the relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors and employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee, on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, in connection with the events that resulted in such Expenses and Claims, as well as any other equitable considerations which applicable law may require to be considered. The relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors and employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee, on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, will be determined by reference to, among other things, the degree to which their actions were motivated by intent to gain personal profit or advantage, the degree to which their liability is primary or secondary, and the degree to which their conduct was active or passive.
5.2 Indemnification for Contribution Claims by Others . To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, the indemnification herein will include claims of contribution which may be brought by other officers, directors or employees of the Company who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee for any Loss or Expense arising from a Legal Action.
ARTICLE 6
PROCEDURES AND PRESUMPTIONS FOR THE
DETERMINATION OF ENTITLEMENT TO INDEMNIFICATION
6.1 Notification of Claims; Request for Indemnification . Indemnitee agrees to notify promptly the Company in writing of any claim made against Indemnitee for which indemnification will or could be sought under this Agreement; provided , however , that a delay in giving such notice will not deprive Indemnitee of any right to be indemnified under this Agreement unless, and then only to the extent that, the Company did not otherwise learn of the
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Legal Action and such delay is materially prejudicial to the Companys ability to defend or to obtain coverage under the Companys Liability Insurance for such Legal Action; and, provided , further , that notice will be deemed to have been given without any action on the part of Indemnitee in the event the Company is a party to the same Legal Action. The omission to notify the Company will not relieve the Company from any liability for indemnification which it may have to Indemnitee otherwise than under this Agreement. Indemnitee may deliver to the Company a written request to have the Company indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee in accordance with this Agreement. Subject to Section 6.9, such request may be delivered from time to time and at such time(s) as Indemnitee deems appropriate in his or her sole discretion. Following such a written request for indemnification, Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification shall be determined according to Section 6.2. The Secretary of the Company will, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Management Board in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification. The Company will be entitled to participate in any Legal Action at its own expense.
6.2 Determination of Right to Indemnification . Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 6.1 hereof with respect to any Legal Action, a determination with respect to Indemnitees entitlement thereto will be made by one of the following, at the election of the Company: (1) so long as there are Disinterested Directors with respect to such Legal Action, a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Supervisory Board, (2) so long as there are Disinterested Directors with respect to such Legal Action, a committee of such Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of such Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Supervisory Board or (3) Independent Counsel in a written opinion delivered to the Supervisory Board, a copy of which will also be delivered to Indemnitee. The election by the Company to use a particular person, persons or entity to make such determination is to be included in a written notification to Indemnitee. The person, persons or entity chosen to make a determination under this Agreement of the Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification shall act reasonably and in good faith in making such determination.
6.3 Selection of Independent Counsel . If the determination of entitlement to indemnification pursuant to Section 6.2 will be made by an Independent Counsel, the Independent Counsel will be selected as provided in this Section 6.3. The Independent Counsel will be selected by the Company (unless the Company requests that such selection be made by the Indemnitee, in which event the immediately following sentence will apply), and the Company will give written notice to Indemnitee advising Indemnitee of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. If the Independent Counsel is selected by the Indemnitee, Indemnitee will give written notice to the Company advising of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. In either event, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within ten days after such written notice of selection is given, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided , however , that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of Independent Counsel as defined in this Agreement, and the objection will set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected will act as Independent Counsel. If a written objection is made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel selected may not serve as Independent Counsel
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unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within 30 days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 6.1, no Independent Counsel is selected, or an Independent Counsel for which an objection thereto has been properly made remains unresolved, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition a court of competent jurisdiction for resolution of any objection which has been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the others selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the court or by such other person as the court may designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed will act as Independent Counsel under Section 6.2. The Company will pay any and all reasonable and necessary fees and expenses incurred by such Independent Counsel in connection with acting pursuant to Section 6.2 hereof, and the Company will pay all fees and expenses incident to the procedures of this Section 6.3, regardless of the manner in which such Independent Counsel was selected or appointed.
6.4 Burden of Proof . In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person, persons or entity making such determination will presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption will have the burden of proof. Indemnitee will be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitees action with respect to a particular Enterprise is based on the records or books of account of such Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers of such Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for such Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to such Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected by such Enterprise; provided , however this sentence will not be deemed to limit in any way the other circumstances in which Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the appropriate standard of conduct and provided further that this sentence shall not excuse fraudulent or other knowing improper actions taken by Indemnitee. In addition, the knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, officer, agent or employee of such Enterprise will not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement.
6.5 No Presumption in Absence of a Determination or As Result of an Adverse Determination; Presumption Regarding Success . Neither the failure of any person, persons or entity chosen to make a determination as to whether Indemnitee has met any particular standard of conduct or had any particular belief to make such determination, nor an actual determination by such person, persons or entity that Indemnitee has not met such standard of conduct or did not have such belief, prior to or after the commencement of legal proceedings by Indemnitee to secure a judicial determination that Indemnitee should be indemnified under this Agreement under Applicable Law, will be a defense to Indemnitees claim or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met any particular standard of conduct or did not have any particular belief. In addition, the termination of any Legal Action by settlement approved by the Management Board and Supervisory Board (whether with or without court approval) or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or its equivalent, will not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet any particular standard of conduct or have any particular belief or that a court has determined that indemnification is not permitted by this Agreement or Applicable Law.
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6.6 Timing of Determination . The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to cause any determination required to be made pursuant to Section 6.2 to be made as promptly as practicable after Indemnitee has submitted a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 6.1.
6.7 Timing of Payments . All payments of Expenses, including any Expense Advance, and other amounts by the Company to the Indemnitee pursuant to this Agreement will be made as soon as practicable after a written request or demand therefor by Indemnitee is presented to the Company, but in no event later than 30 days after (i) such demand is presented or (ii) such later date as a determination of entitlement to indemnification is made in accordance with Section 6.6, if applicable; provided , however , that an Expense Advance will be made within the time provided in Section 4.3 hereof.
6.8 Cooperation . Indemnitee will cooperate with the person, persons or entity making a determination with respect to Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity, upon reasonable advance request, any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination will be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification).
6.9 Time for Submission of Request . Indemnitee will be required to submit any request for Indemnification pursuant to this Article 6 within a reasonable time, not to exceed two years, after any judgment, order, settlement, dismissal, arbitration award, conviction, acceptance of a plea of nolo contendere (or its equivalent) or other full or partial final determination or disposition of the Legal Action (with the latest date of the occurrence of any such event to be considered the commencement of the two year period).
ARTICLE 7
LIABILITY INSURANCE
7.1 Liability Insurance . The Company will use its reasonable endeavors to obtain and maintain a policy or policies of Liability Insurance with one or more reputable insurance companies providing Indemnitee with coverage in such amount as will be determined by the Supervisory Board for Claims and Expenses paid or incurred by Indemnitee as a result of acts or omissions of Indemnitee in his or her Corporate Status, and to ensure the Companys performance of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement, to the extent that a policy covering the indemnification obligations under this Agreement is reasonably attainable; provided , however , in all policies of director and officer liability insurance obtained by the Company, Indemnitee will be named as an Insured in such manner as to provide Indemnitee with the same rights and benefits as are afforded to the other directors or officers, as applicable, of the Company under such policies. Any reductions to the amount of director and officer liability insurance coverage maintained by the Company as of the date hereof will be subject to the approval of the Supervisory Board.
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7.2 Notice to Insurers . If, at the time of receipt by the Company of a notice from any source of a Legal Action as to which Indemnitee is a party or participant, the Company will give prompt notice of such Legal Action to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies, the Company will provide Indemnitee with a copy of such notice. The Company will thereafter take all necessary or desirable actions to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Legal Action in accordance with the terms of such policies.
7.3 Cooperation with Company . The Indemnitee will cooperate in all ways with the Company and its counsel and, if required by the Company, with the insurers issuing the Companys Liability Insurance, to the extent the Company deems such cooperation reasonably necessary in connection with the tender, evaluation, investigation, and pursuant of insurance coverage for any Legal Action.
ARTICLE 8
REMEDIES OF INDEMNITEE
8.1 Action by Indemnitee . In the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Article 6 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) an Expense Advance is not timely made pursuant to Section 4.3 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification is made within the applicable time periods specified in Section 6.6 or (iv) payment of indemnified amounts is not made within the applicable time periods specified in Section 6.7, Indemnitee will be entitled to seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the rules of the American Arbitration Association; such award to be made within 60 days following the filing of the demand for arbitration. The provisions of the laws of the State of Texas (without regard to its conflict of laws rules that would cause the application of the laws of another jurisdiction) will apply to any such arbitration. The Company will not oppose Indemnitees right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.
8.2 Company Bound by Favorable Determination by Reviewing Party . If a determination is made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification pursuant to Article 6, the Company will be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Article 8, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitees statements in connection with the request for indemnification not materially misleading or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under Applicable Law.
8.3 Company Bound by Provisions of this Agreement . The Company and Indemnitee will each be precluded from asserting in any judicial or arbitration proceeding commenced pursuant to this Article 8 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and will stipulate in any such judicial or arbitration proceeding that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.
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ARTICLE 9
NON-EXCLUSIVITY, SUBROGATION; NO DUPLICATIVE PAYMENTS
9.1 Non-Exclusivity . The rights of indemnification and to receive Expense Advances as provided by this Agreement are not exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under Applicable Law, the Articles, any agreement, a vote of stockholders, a resolution of the directors or otherwise. To the extent Indemnitee otherwise would have any greater right to indemnification or payment of any advancement of Expenses under any other provisions under Applicable Law, the Articles, any agreement, vote of stockholders, a resolution of directors or otherwise, Indemnitee will be entitled under this Agreement to such greater right. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof limits or restricts any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in Applicable Law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification than would be afforded currently under the Articles and this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy will be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, will not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.
9.2 Subrogation . In the event of any payment by the Company under this Agreement, the Company will be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee with respect thereto, including rights under any policy of insurance or other indemnity agreement or obligation, and Indemnitee will execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights (it being understood that all of Indemnitees reasonable Expenses related thereto will be borne by the Company).
9.3 No Duplicative Payments . The Company will not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable (or any Expense for which advancement is provided) hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee is otherwise entitled to receive such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise. The Companys obligation to indemnify or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee in respect of Legal Actions relating to Indemnitees service at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, trustee, fiduciary or agent of any other Enterprise will be reduced by any amount Indemnitee is actually entitled to receive as indemnification or advancement of Expenses from such other Enterprise. Subject to Section 4.1, the indemnity obligations of this Agreement shall apply in excess of the Companys Liability Insurance and to any other insurance or indemnities available to the Indemnitee.
ARTICLE 10
DEFENSE OF PROCEEDINGS
10.1 Company Assuming the Defense . In the event the Company is obligated to pay in advance the Expenses of any Legal Action pursuant to Article 4, the Company will be entitled,
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by written notice to Indemnitee, to assume the defense of such Legal Action, with counsel approved by Indemnitee, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The Company will identify the counsel it proposes to employ in connection with such defense as part of the written notice sent to Indemnitee notifying Indemnitee of the Companys election to assume such defense, and Indemnitee will be required, within ten days following Indemnitees receipt of such notice, to inform the Company of its approval of such counsel or, if it has objections, the reasons therefor. If such objections cannot be resolved by the parties, the Company will identify alternative counsel, which counsel will also be subject to approval by Indemnitee in accordance with the procedure described in the prior sentence. In the absence of an actual conflict of interest that would prevent defense counsel from representing both the Indemnitee and other defendants in the Legal Action, the Indemnitee agrees that the Company may assign defense counsel to represent Indemnitee and other defendants in that Legal Action.
10.2 Right of Indemnitee to Employ Counsel . Following approval of counsel by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 10.1 and retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any fees and expenses of counsel subsequently incurred by Indemnitee with respect to the same Legal Action; provided , however , that (a) Indemnitee has the right to employ counsel in any such Legal Action at Indemnitees expense and (b) the Company will be required to pay the fees and expenses of Indemnitees counsel if (i) the employment of counsel by Indemnitee is authorized by the Company, (ii) an actual conflict of interest arises between the Company (or any other person or persons included in a joint defense) and Indemnitee in the conduct of such defense or representation by such counsel retained by the Company and the Company has not appointed new counsel without such conflict of interest to represent the Indemnitee or (iii) the Company does not continue to retain such counsel approved by the Indemnitee and the Company has not appointed new counsel to represent the Indemnitee in accordance with Section 10.1.
ARTICLE 11
SETTLEMENT
11.1 Company Bound by Provisions of this Agreement . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company will have no obligation to indemnify Indemnitee under this Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of any Legal Action effected without the Companys prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
11.2 When Indemnitees Prior Consent Required . The Company will not, without the prior written consent of Indemnitee, consent to the entry of any judgment against Indemnitee or enter into any settlement or compromise which (i) contains any non-monetary remedy imposed on Indemnitee or a Loss for which Indemnitee is not wholly indemnified hereunder or (ii) with respect to any Legal Action with respect to which Indemnitee is made a party or a participant or is otherwise entitled to seek indemnification hereunder, does not include, as an unconditional term thereof, the full release of Indemnitee from all liability in respect of such Legal Action. Neither the Company nor Indemnitee will unreasonably withhold its consent to any proposed settlement; provided , however , Indemnitee may withhold consent to any settlement that does not provide a full and unconditional release of Indemnitee from all liability in respect of such Legal Action.
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ARTICLE 12
DURATION OF AGREEMENT; PERIOD OF LIMITATIONS
12.1 Duration of Agreement . This Agreement will continue until and terminate upon the latest of (a) the statute of limitations applicable to any claim that could be asserted against an Indemnitee with respect to which Indemnitee may be entitled to indemnification and/or an Expense Advance under this Agreement, (b) ten years after the date that Indemnitee has ceased to serve as a director or officer of the Company or as a director, officer, employee, partner, member, manager, fiduciary or agent of any other Enterprise which Indemnitee served at the request of the Company, or (c) if, at the later of the dates referred to in (a) and (b) above, there is pending a Legal Action in respect of which Indemnitee is granted rights of indemnification or the right to an Expense Advance under this Agreement or a Legal Action commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Article 8 of this Agreement, one year after the final termination of such Legal Action, including any and all appeals.
ARTICLE 13
MISCELLANEOUS
13.1 Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties in respect of the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, to the extent they relate in any way to the subject matter hereof; provided , however , it is agreed that the provisions contained in this Agreement are a supplement to, and not a substitute for, any provisions regarding the same subject matter contained in the Articles and any employment or similar agreement between the parties.
13.2 Assignment; Binding Effect; Third Party Beneficiaries . No party may assign either this Agreement or any of its rights, interests or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the other party and any such assignment by a party without prior written approval of the other parties will be deemed invalid and not binding on such other parties. All of the terms, agreements, covenants, representations, warranties and conditions of this Agreement are binding upon, and inure to the benefit of and are enforceable by, the parties and their respective successors, permitted assigns, heirs, executors and personal and legal representatives. There are no third party beneficiaries having rights under or with respect to this Agreement.
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13.3 Notices . All notices, requests and other communications provided for or permitted to be given under this Agreement must be in writing and be given by personal delivery, by certified or registered mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested), by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service for next day delivery, or by facsimile transmission, as follows (or to such other address as any party may give in a notice given in accordance with the provisions hereof):
If to the Company:
Franks International N.V.
Prins Bernhardplein 200
1097 JB Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Attention: Brian D. Baird
Facsimile: (281) 558-2980
with a copy to:
Franks International N.V.
10260 Westheimer Rd.
Houston, Texas 77042
Attention: Brian D. Baird
Facsimile: (281) 558-2980
If to Indemnitee:
W. John Walker
10260 Westheimer, Suite 700
Houston, TX 77042
Facsimile: (281) 558-2980
All notices, requests or other communications will be effective and deemed given only as follows: (i) if given by personal delivery, upon such personal delivery, (ii) if sent by certified or registered mail, on the fifth business day after being deposited in the United States mail, (iii) if sent for next day delivery by overnight delivery service, on the date of delivery as confirmed by written confirmation of delivery, (iv) if sent by facsimile, upon the transmitters confirmation of receipt of such facsimile transmission, except that if such confirmation is received after 5:00 p.m. (in the recipients time zone) on a business day, or is received on a day that is not a business day, then such notice, request or communication will not be deemed effective or given until the next succeeding business day. Notices, requests and other communications sent in any other manner, including by electronic mail, will not be effective.
13.4 Specific Performance; Remedies . Each party acknowledges and agrees that the other party would be damaged irreparably if any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with its specific terms or were otherwise breached. Accordingly, the parties will be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of the provisions of this Agreement and to enforce specifically this Agreement and its provisions in any action or proceeding instituted in any court having jurisdiction over the parties and the matter, in addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled, at law or in equity. Except as expressly provided for herein, the rights, obligations and remedies created by this Agreement are cumulative and in addition to any other rights, obligations or remedies otherwise available at law or in equity. Except as expressly provided herein, nothing herein will be considered an election of remedies.
13.5 Submission to Jurisdiction . Any Legal Action seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection with, this Agreement may only be
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brought in any courts in the State of Texas, which will be the exclusive and only proper forums for adjudicating such Legal Action, and each party consents to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of such courts (and of the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such Legal Action and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such Legal Action in any such court or that any such Legal Action brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Process in any such action, suit or proceeding may be served on any party anywhere in the world, whether within or without the jurisdiction of any such court.
13.6 Headings . The article and section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and will not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
13.7 Governing Law . This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without giving effect to any choice of law principles.
13.8 Amendment . This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by a writing signed by all of the parties.
13.9 Extensions; Waivers . Any party may, for itself only, (i) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations of any other party under this Agreement, (ii) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of any other party contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto and (iii) waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions for the benefit of such party contained herein. Any such extension or waiver will be valid only if set forth in a writing signed by the party to be bound thereby. No waiver by any party of any default, misrepresentation or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder, whether intentional or not, may be deemed to extend to any prior or subsequent default, misrepresentation or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder or affect in any way any rights arising because of any prior or subsequent such occurrence. Neither the failure nor any delay on the part of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise of any right or remedy preclude any other or further exercise of the same or of any other right or remedy.
13.10 Severability . The provisions of this Agreement will be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision will not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof; provided that if any provision of this Agreement, as applied to any party or to any circumstance, is judicially determined not to be enforceable in accordance with its terms, the parties agree that the court judicially making such determination may modify the provision in a manner consistent with its objectives such that it is enforceable, and/or to delete specific words or phrases, and in its modified form, such provision will then be enforceable and will be enforced.
13.11 Counterparts; Effectiveness . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement will become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties, which delivery may be made by exchange of copies of the signature page by facsimile or other electronic transmission.
15
13.12 Construction . This Agreement has been freely and fairly negotiated among the parties. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any party because of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement. Any reference to any law will be deemed also to refer to such law as amended and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context requires otherwise. The words include, includes, and including will be deemed to be followed by without limitation. Pronouns in masculine, feminine, and neuter genders will be construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular form will be construed to include the plural and vice versa, unless the context otherwise requires. The words this Agreement, herein, hereof, hereby, hereunder, and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited. The parties intend that each representation, warranty, and covenant contained herein will have independent significance. If any party has breached any representation, warranty, or covenant contained herein in any respect, the fact that there exists another representation, warranty or covenant relating to the same subject matter (regardless of the relative levels of specificity) which the party has not breached will not detract from or mitigate the fact that the party is in breach of the first representation, warranty, or covenant. Time is of the essence in the performance of this Agreement.
[Signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL N.V. | ||
By: |
/s/ Brian D. Baird |
|
Name: | Brian D. Baird | |
Title: | Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary | |
Indemnitee | ||
/s/ W. John Walker |
||
Signature | ||
Name: | W. John Walker |
Exhibit 10.18
F RANK S E XECUTIVE
D EFERRED C OMPENSATION P LAN
A MENDED AND R ESTATED E FFECTIVE J ANUARY 1, 2009
Franks Executive Deferred Compensation Plan
A RTICLE I |
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Establishment and Purpose |
1 | |||
A RTICLE II |
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Definitions |
1 | |||
A RTICLE III |
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Eligibility and Participation |
9 | |||
A RTICLE IV |
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Deferrals |
10 | |||
A RTICLE V |
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Company Contributions |
13 | |||
A RTICLE VI |
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Benefits |
14 | |||
A RTICLE VII |
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Modifications to Payment Schedules |
18 | |||
A RTICLE VIII |
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Valuation of Account Balances; Investments |
18 | |||
A RTICLE IX |
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Administration |
20 | |||
A RTICLE X |
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Amendment and Termination |
21 | |||
A RTICLE XI |
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Informal Funding |
22 | |||
A RTICLE XII |
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Claims |
22 | |||
A RTICLE XIII |
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General Provisions |
28 |
Franks Executive Deferred Compensation Plan
A RTICLE I
Establishment and Purpose
Franks International, Inc. (the Company) hereby amends and restates the Franks Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (the Plan), effective January 1, 2009. This amendment and restatement applies to all amounts previously or hereafter deferred under the Plan.
The purpose of the Plan is to attract and retain key employees and independent contractors by providing Participants with an opportunity to defer receipt of a portion of their salary, bonus, and other specified compensation. The Plan is not intended to meet the qualification requirements of Code Section 401(a), but is intended to meet the requirements of Code Section 409A, and shall be operated and interpreted consistent with that intent.
The Plan constitutes an unsecured promise by a Participating Employer to pay benefits in the future. Participants in the Plan shall have the status of general unsecured creditors of the Company or the Adopting Employer, as applicable. Each Participating Employer shall be solely responsible for payment of the benefits of its employees and their beneficiaries. The Plan is unfunded for federal tax purposes and is intended to be an unfunded arrangement for eligible employees who are part of a select group of management or highly compensated employees of the Employer within the meaning of Sections 201(2), 301(a)(3), and 401(a)(1) of ERISA. Any amounts set aside to defray the liabilities assumed by the Company or an Adopting Employer will remain the general assets of the Company or the Adopting Employer and shall remain subject to the claims of the Companys or the Adopting Employers creditors until such amounts are distributed to the Participants.
A RTICLE II
Definitions
2.1 | Account. Account means a bookkeeping account maintained by the Committee to record the payment obligation of a Participating Employer to a Participant as determined under the terms of the Plan. The Committee may maintain an Account to record the total obligation to a Participant and component Accounts to reflect amounts payable at different times and in different forms. Reference to an Account means any such Account established by the Committee, as the context requires. Accounts are intended to constitute unfunded obligations within the meaning of Sections 201(2), 301(a)(3) and 401(a)(1) of ERISA. |
2.2 | Account Balance. Account Balance means, with respect to any Account, the total payment obligation owed to a Participant from such Account as of the most recent Valuation Date. |
2.3 | Adopting Employer. Adopting Employer means an Affiliate who, with the consent of the Company, has adopted the Plan for the benefit of its eligible employees. |
2.4 | Affiliate. Affiliate means a corporation, trade or business that, together with the Company, is treated as a single employer under Code Section 414(b) or (c). |
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2.5 | Beneficiary. Beneficiary means a natural person, estate, or trust designated by a Participant to receive payments to which a Beneficiary is entitled in accordance with provisions of the Plan. The Participants spouse, if living, otherwise the Participants estate, shall be the Beneficiary if: (i) the Participant has failed to properly designate a Beneficiary, or (ii) all designated Beneficiaries have predeceased the Participant. |
A former spouse shall have no interest under the Plan, as Beneficiary or otherwise, unless the Participant designates such person as a Beneficiary after dissolution of the marriage, except to the extent provided under the terms of a domestic relations order as described in Code Section 414(p)(1)(B).
2.6 | Business Day . Business Day means each day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for business. |
2.7 | Cause . A Separation from Service for Cause means: |
(a) | Participants conviction for commission of a felony or other crime; |
(b) | the commission by Participant of any act against the Company or its subsidiaries constituting willful misconduct, dishonesty, fraud, theft or embezzlement; |
(c) | Participants failure, inability or refusal to perform any of the material services, duties or responsibilities required by him or her by the Company or its subsidiaries, or to materially comply with the policies or procedures established from time to time by the Company or its subsidiaries, for any reason other than his or her illness or physical or mental incapacity; |
(d) | Participants breach of any agreement entered into with the Company or its subsidiaries prior to or within one year after a Separation from Service; |
(e) | Participants dependence, as determined in good faith by the Company or one of its subsidiaries, on any addictive substance, including, but not limited to, alcohol or any illegal or narcotic drugs; |
(f) | the destruction of or material damage to Company property or property of a subsidiary caused by Participants willful or grossly negligent conduct; or |
(g) | the willful engaging by Participant in any other conduct which is demonstrably injurious to the Company or its subsidiaries, monetarily or otherwise. |
2.8 | Change in Control . Change in Control means, with respect to a Participating Employer that is organized as a corporation, any of the following events: (i) a change in the ownership of the Participating Employer; (ii) a change in the effective control of the Participating Employer; (iii) a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Participating Employer. |
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For purposes of this Section, a change in the ownership of the Participating Employer occurs on the date on which any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires ownership of stock of the Participating Employer that, together with stock held by such person or group constitutes more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Participating Employer. A change in the effective control of the Participating Employer occurs on the date on which either: (i) a person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires ownership of stock of the Participating Employer possessing 30% or more of the total voting power of the stock of the Participating Employer, taking into account all such stock acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition, or (ii) a majority of the members of the Participating Employers Board of Directors is replaced during any 12-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of such Board of Directors prior to the date of the appointment or election, but only if no other corporation is a majority shareholder of the Participating Employer. A change in the ownership of a substantial portion of assets occurs on the date on which any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, other than a person or group of persons that is related to the Participating Employer, acquires assets from the Participating Employer that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than 40% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Participating Employer immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions, taking into account all such assets acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition.
An event constitutes a Change in Control with respect to a Participant only if the Participant performs services for the Participating Employer that has experienced the Change in Control, or the Participants relationship to the affected Participating Employer otherwise satisfies the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)(ii).
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, with respect to a Participating Employer that is a partnership, Change in Control means only a change in the ownership of the partnership or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the partnership, and the provisions set forth above respecting such changes relative to a corporation shall be applied by analogy.
The determination as to the occurrence of a Change in Control shall be based on objective facts and in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 409A.
2.9 | Claimant. Claimant means a Participant or Beneficiary filing a claim under Article XII of this Plan. |
2.10 | Code. Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time. |
2.11 | Code Section 409A. Code Section 409A means section 409A of the Code, and regulations and other guidance issued by the Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service thereunder. |
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2.12 | Committee. Committee means the committee appointed by the Board of Directors of the Company (or the appropriate committee of such board) to administer the Plan. If no designation is made, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company or his delegate shall have and exercise the powers of the Committee. |
2.13 | Company. Company means Franks International, Inc., and its successors. |
2.14 | Company Contribution. Company Contribution means a credit by a Participating Employer to a Participants Account(s) in accordance with the provisions of Article V of the Plan. Company Contributions are credited at the sole discretion of the Participating Employer and the fact that a Company Contribution is credited in one year shall not obligate the Participating Employer to continue to make such Company Contribution in subsequent years. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, a reference to Company Contribution shall include Earnings attributable to such contribution. |
2.15 | Company Contribution Account. A Company Contribution Account is a subaccount of a Participants Retirement/Termination Account used to record the amount of Company Contributions payable to such Participant. |
2.16 | Company Stock. Company Stock means phantom shares of common stock issued by the Company. |
2.17 | Compensation. Compensation means a Participants base salary, bonus, commission, and such other cash or equity-based compensation (if any) approved by the Committee as Compensation that may be deferred under this Plan. Compensation shall not include any compensation that has been previously deferred under this Plan or any other arrangement subject to Code Section 409A. |
2.18 | Compensation Deferral Agreement. Compensation Deferral Agreement means an agreement between a Participant and a Participating Employer that specifies: (i) the amount of each component of Compensation that the Participant has elected to defer to the Plan in accordance with the provisions of Article IV, and (ii) the Payment Schedule applicable to one or more Accounts. The Committee may permit different deferral amounts for each component of Compensation and may establish a minimum or maximum deferral amount for each such component. Unless otherwise specified by the Committee in the Compensation Deferral Agreement, Participants may defer up to 75% of their base salary and up to 100% of other types of Compensation for a Plan Year. A Compensation Deferral Agreement may also specify the investment allocation described in Section 8.4. |
2.19 | Death Benefit. Death Benefit means the benefit payable under the Plan to a Participants Beneficiary(ies) upon the Participants death as provided in Section 6.1 of the Plan. |
2.20 | Deferral. Deferral means a credit to a Participants Account(s) that records that portion of the Participants Compensation that the Participant has elected to defer to the Plan in accordance with the provisions of Article IV. Unless the context of the Plan clearly indicates otherwise, a reference to Deferrals includes Earnings attributable to such Deferrals. |
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Franks Executive Deferred Compensation Plan
Deferrals shall be calculated with respect to the gross cash Compensation payable to the Participant prior to any deductions or withholdings, but shall be reduced by the Committee as necessary so that it does not exceed 100% of the cash Compensation of the Participant remaining after deduction of all required income and employment taxes, 401(k) and other employee benefit deductions, and other deductions required by law. Changes to payroll withholdings that affect the amount of Compensation being deferred to the Plan shall be allowed only to the extent permissible under Code Section 409A.
2.21 | Disability Benefit. Disability Benefit means the benefit payable under the Plan to a Participant in the event such Participant is determined to be Disabled. |
2.22 | Disabled. Disabled means that a Participant is, by reason of any medically-determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months: (i) unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity, or (ii) receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Participants employer. The Committee shall determine whether a Participant is Disabled in accordance with Code Section 409A provided, however, that a Participant shall be deemed to be Disabled if determined to be totally disabled by the Social Security Administration or the Railroad Retirement Board. |
2.23 | Earnings. Earnings means a positive or negative adjustment to the value of an Account, based upon the allocation of the Account by the Participant among deemed investment options in accordance with Article VIII. |
2.24 | Effective Date. Effective Date means January 1, 2009. |
2.25 | Eligible Employee. Eligible Employee means a member of a select group of management or highly compensated employees of a Participating Employer within the meaning of Sections 201(2), 301(a)(3) and 401(a)(1) of ERISA, as determined by the Committee from time to time in its sole discretion. |
2.26 | Employee. Employee means a common-law employee of an Employer. Employee also may include an individual under a co-employment arrangement with a third-party professional employer organization. |
2.27 | Employer. Employer means, with respect to Employees it employs, the Company and each Affiliate. |
2.28 | ERISA. ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time. |
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Franks Executive Deferred Compensation Plan
2.29 | Fiscal Year Compensation. Fiscal Year Compensation means Compensation earned during one or more consecutive fiscal years of a Participating Employer, all of which is paid after the last day of such fiscal year or years. |
2.30 | Participant. Participant means an Eligible Employee or an independent contractor who has received notification of his or her eligibility to defer Compensation under the Plan under Section 3.1 and any other person with an Account Balance greater than zero, regardless of whether such individual continues to be an Eligible Employee or an independent contractor. A Participants continued participation in the Plan shall be governed by Section 3.2 of the Plan. |
2.31 | Participating Employer. Participating Employer means the Company and each Adopting Employer. |
2.32 | Payment Schedule. Payment Schedule means the date as of which payment of an Account under the Plan will commence and the form in which payment of such Account will be made. |
2.33 | Performance-Based Compensation. Performance-Based Compensation means Compensation where the amount of, or entitlement to, the Compensation is contingent on the satisfaction of pre-established organizational or individual performance criteria relating to a performance period of at least 12 consecutive months. Organizational or individual performance criteria are considered pre-established if established in writing by not later than 90 days after the commencement of the period of service to which the criteria relate, provided that the outcome is substantially uncertain at the time the criteria are established. Compensation based on Company Stock may constitute Performance-Based Compensation if it is based solely on an increase in the value of such stock after the date of grant or award. The determination of whether Compensation qualifies as Performance-Based Compensation will be made in accordance with Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(e) and subsequent guidance. |
2.34 | Plan. Generally, the term Plan means the Franks Executive Deferred Compensation Plan as documented herein and as may be amended from time to time hereafter. However, to the extent permitted or required under Code Section 409A, the term Plan may in the appropriate context also mean a portion of the Plan that is treated as a single plan under Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(c), or the Plan or portion of the Plan and any other nonqualified deferred compensation plan or portion thereof that is treated as a single plan under such section. |
2.35 | Plan Year. Plan Year means January 1 through December 31. |
2.36 | Retirement. Retirement means a Participants Separation from Service after attainment of age 59. |
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Franks Executive Deferred Compensation Plan
2.37 | Retirement Benefit. Retirement Benefit means the benefit payable to a Participant under the Plan following the Retirement of the Participant. |
2.38 | Retirement/Termination Account. Retirement/Termination Account means an Account established by the Committee to record the amounts payable to a Participant upon Separation from Service. Unless the Participant has established a Specified Date Account, all Deferrals and Company Contributions shall be allocated to a Retirement/Termination Account on behalf of the Participant. |
2.39 | Separation from Service. Separation from Service means an Employees termination of employment with the Employer. An independent contractor incurs a Separation from Service upon the expiration of all contracts with the Employer, provided the contractual relationship has in good faith been completely terminated Whether a Separation from Service has occurred shall be determined by the Committee in accordance with Code Section 409A. |
Except in the case of an Employee on a bona fide leave of absence as provided below, an Employee is deemed to have incurred a Separation from Service if the Employer and the Employee reasonably anticipate that the level of services to be performed by the Employee after a date certain would be reduced to 20% or less of the average services rendered by the Employee during the immediately preceding 36-month period (or the total period of employment, if less than 36 months), disregarding periods during which the Employee was on a bona fide leave of absence.
An Employee who is absent from work due to military leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave of absence shall incur a Separation from Service on the first date immediately following the later of: (i) the six-month anniversary of the commencement of the leave, or (ii) the expiration of the Employees right, if any, to reemployment under statute or contract. Notwithstanding the preceding, however, an Employee who is absent from work due to a physical or mental impairment that is expected to result in death or last for a continuous period of at least six months and that prevents the Employee from performing the duties of his or her position of employment or a similar position shall incur a Separation from Service on the first date immediately following the 29-month anniversary of the commencement of the leave.
For purposes of determining whether a Separation from Service has occurred, the Employer means the Employer as defined in Section 2.27 of the Plan, except that in applying Code sections 1563(a)(1), (2) and (3) for purposes of determining whether another organization is an Affiliate of the Company under Code Section 414(b), and in applying Treasury Regulation Section 1.414(c)-2 for purposes of determining whether another organization is an Affiliate of the Company under Code Section 414(c), at least 50 percent shall be used instead of at least 80 percent each place it appears in those sections.
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Franks Executive Deferred Compensation Plan
The Committee specifically reserves the right to determine whether a sale or other disposition of substantial assets to an unrelated party constitutes a Separation from Service with respect to a Participant providing services to the seller immediately prior to the transaction and providing services to the buyer after the transaction. Such determination shall be made in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 409A.
2.40 | Specified Date Account. Specified Date Account means an Account established by the Committee to record the amounts payable at a future date as specified in the Participants Compensation Deferral Agreement. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, a Participant may maintain no more than five (5) Specified Date Accounts. A Specified Date Account may be identified in enrollment materials as an In-Service Account or such other name as established by the Committee without affecting the meaning thereof. |
2.41 | Specified Date Benefit. Specified Date Benefit means the benefit payable to a Participant under the Plan in accordance with Section 6.1(c). |
2.42 | Specified Employee. Specified Employee means an Employee who, as of the date of his or her Separation from Service, is a key employee of the Company or any Affiliate, any stock of which is actively traded on an established securities market or otherwise. An Employee is a key employee if he or she meets the requirements of Code Section 416(i)(1)(A)(i), (ii), or (iii) (applied in accordance with applicable regulations thereunder and without regard to Code Section 416(i)(5)) at any time during the 12-month period ending on the Specified Employee Identification Date. Such Employee shall be treated as a key employee for the entire 12-month period beginning on the Specified Employee Effective Date. |
For purposes of determining whether an Employee is a Specified Employee, the compensation of the Employee shall be determined in accordance with the definition of compensation provided under Treas. Reg. Section 1.415(c)-2(d)(3) (wages within the meaning of Code section 3401(a) for purposes of income tax withholding at the source, plus amounts excludible from gross income under section 125(a), 132(f)(4), 402(e)(3), 402(h)(1)(B), 402(k) or 457(b), without regard to rules that limit the remuneration included in wages based on the nature or location of the employment or the services performed); provided, however, that, with respect to a nonresident alien who is not a Participant in the Plan, compensation shall not include compensation that is not includible in the gross income of the Employee under Code Sections 872, 893, 894, 911, 931 and 933, provided such compensation is not effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the United States.
Notwithstanding anything in this paragraph to the contrary: (i) if a different definition of compensation has been designated by the Company with respect to another nonqualified deferred compensation plan in which a key employee participates, the definition of compensation shall be the definition provided in Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(i)(2), and (ii) the Company may through action that is legally binding with respect to all nonqualified deferred compensation plans maintained by the Company, elect to use a different definition of compensation.
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In the event of corporate transactions described in Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(i)6), the identification of Specified Employees shall be determined in accordance with the default rules described therein, unless the Employer elects to utilize the available alternative methodology through designations made within the timeframes specified therein.
2.43 | Specified Employee Identification Date. Specified Employee Identification Date means December 31, unless the Employer has elected a different date through action that is legally binding with respect to all nonqualified deferred compensation plans maintained by the Employer. |
2.44 | Specified Employee Effective Date. Specified Employee Effective Date means the first day of the fourth month following the Specified Employee Identification Date, or such earlier date as is selected by the Committee. |
2.45 | Substantial Risk of Forfeiture. Substantial Risk of Forfeiture means the description specified in Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(d). |
2.46 | Termination Benefit. Termination Benefit means the benefit payable to a Participant under the Plan following the Participants Separation from Service prior to Retirement. |
2.47 | Unforeseeable Emergency. Unforeseeable Emergency means a severe financial hardship to the Participant resulting from an illness or accident of the Participant, the Participants spouse, the Participants dependent (as defined in Code section 152, without regard to section 152(b)(1), (b)(2), and (d)(1)(B)), or a Beneficiary; loss of the Participants property due to casualty (including the need to rebuild a home following damage to a home not otherwise covered by insurance, for example, as a result of a natural disaster); or other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the control of the Participant. The types of events which may qualify as an Unforeseeable Emergency may be limited by the Committee. |
2.48 | Valuation Date. Valuation Date means each Business Day. |
2.49 | Year of Service . Year of Service with respect to a participants vested interest in a Company Contribution is credited as of the December 31 of the calendar year in which the services that resulted in the award of such Company Contribution were performed and on the December 31 of each subsequent calendar year during which the Participant remained in the continuous employment of an Employer or any Affiliate. |
A RTICLE III
Eligibility and Participation
3.1 | Eligibility and Participation. An Eligible Employee or independent contractor becomes a Participant upon the earlier to occur of: (i) a credit of Company Contributions under Article V, or (ii) receipt of notification of eligibility to participate. |
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3.2 | Duration. A Participant shall be eligible to defer Compensation and receive allocations of Company Contributions, subject to the terms of the Plan, for as long as such Participant remains an Eligible Employee or independent contractor. A Participant who is no longer an Eligible Employee but has not Separated from Service may not defer Compensation under the Plan beyond the Plan Year in which he or she became ineligible but may otherwise exercise all of the rights of a Participant under the Plan with respect to his or her Account(s). On and after a Separation from Service, a Participant shall remain a Participant as long as his or her Account Balance is greater than zero and during such time may continue to make allocation elections as provided in Section 8.4. An individual shall cease being a Participant in the Plan when all benefits under the Plan to which he or she is entitled have been paid. |
A RTICLE IV
Deferrals
4.1 | Deferral Elections, Generally. |
(a) | A Participant may elect to defer Compensation by submitting a Compensation Deferral Agreement during the enrollment periods established by the Committee and in the manner specified by the Committee, but in any event, in accordance with Section 4.2. A Compensation Deferral Agreement that is not timely filed with respect to a service period or component of Compensation shall be considered void and shall have no effect with respect to such service period or Compensation. The Committee may modify any Compensation Deferral Agreement prior to the date the election becomes irrevocable under the rules of Section 4.2. |
(b) | The Participant shall specify on his or her Compensation Deferral Agreement the amount of Deferrals and whether to allocate Deferrals to a Retirement/Termination Account or to a Specified Date Account. If no designation is made, Deferrals shall be allocated to the Retirement/Termination Account. A Participant may also specify in his or her Compensation Deferral Agreement the Payment Schedule applicable to his or her Plan Accounts. If the Payment Schedule is not specified in a Compensation Deferral Agreement, the Payment Schedule shall be the Payment Schedule specified in Section 6.2. |
4.2 | Timing Requirements for Compensation Deferral Agreements. |
(a) | First Year of Eligibility. In the case of the first year in which an Eligible Employee independent contractor becomes eligible to participate in the Plan, he or she has up to 30 days following his or her initial eligibility to submit a Compensation Deferral Agreement with respect to Compensation to be earned during such year. The Compensation Deferral Agreement described in this paragraph becomes irrevocable upon the end of such 30-day period. The determination of whether an Eligible Employee independent contractor may file a Compensation Deferral Agreement under this paragraph shall be determined in accordance with the rules of Code Section 409A, including the provisions of Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-2(a)(7). |
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A Compensation Deferral Agreement filed under this paragraph applies to Compensation earned on and after the date the Compensation Deferral Agreement becomes irrevocable.
(b) | Prior Year Election. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 4.2, Participants may defer Compensation by filing a Compensation Deferral Agreement no later than December 31 of the year prior to the year in which the Compensation to be deferred is earned. A Compensation Deferral Agreement described in this paragraph shall become irrevocable with respect to such Compensation as of January 1 of the year in which such Compensation is earned. |
(c) | Performance-Based Compensation. Participants may file a Compensation Deferral Agreement with respect to Performance-Based Compensation no later than the date that is six months before the end of the performance period, provided that: |
(i) | the Participant performs services continuously from the later of the beginning of the performance period or the date the criteria are established through the date the Compensation Deferral Agreement is submitted; and |
(ii) | the Compensation is not readily ascertainable as of the date the Compensation Deferral Agreement is filed. |
A Compensation Deferral Agreement becomes irrevocable with respect to Performance-Based Compensation as of the day immediately following the latest date for filing such election. Any election to defer Performance-Based Compensation that is made in accordance with this paragraph and that becomes payable as a result of the Participants death or disability (as defined in Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(e)) or upon a Change in Control (as defined in Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)) prior to the satisfaction of the performance criteria, will be void.
(d) | Sales Commissions. Sales commissions (as defined in Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-2(a)(12)(i)) are considered to be earned by the Participant in the taxable year of the Participant in which the customer remits payment to the Employer. The Compensation Deferral Agreement must be filed before the last day of the year preceding the year in which the sales commissions are earned, and becomes irrevocable after that date. |
(e) | Fiscal Year Compensation. A Participant may defer Fiscal Year Compensation by filing a Compensation Deferral Agreement prior to the first day of the fiscal year or years in which such Fiscal Year Compensation is earned. The Compensation Deferral Agreement described in this paragraph becomes irrevocable on the first day of the fiscal year or years to which it applies. |
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(f) | Short-Term Deferrals. Compensation that meets the definition of a short-term deferral described in Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) may be deferred in accordance with the rules of Article VII, applied as if the date the Substantial Risk of Forfeiture lapses is the date payments were originally scheduled to commence, provided, however, that the provisions of Section 7.3 shall not apply to payments attributable to a Change in Control (as defined in Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)). |
(g) |
Certain Forfeitable Rights. With respect to a legally binding right to a payment in a subsequent year that is subject to a forfeiture condition requiring the Participants continued services for a period of at least 12 months from the date the Participant obtains the legally binding right, an election to defer such Compensation may be made on or before the 30 th day after the Participant obtains the legally binding right to the Compensation, provided that the election is made at least 12 months in advance of the earliest date at which the forfeiture condition could lapse. The Compensation Deferral Agreement described in this paragraph becomes irrevocable after such 30 th day. If the forfeiture condition applicable to the payment lapses before the end of the required service period as a result of the Participants death or disability (as defined in Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(i)(4)) or upon a Change in Control (as defined in Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)), the Compensation Deferral Agreement will be void unless it would be considered timely under another rule described in this Section. |
(h) | Evergreen Deferral Elections. The Committee, in its discretion, may provide in the Compensation Deferral Agreement that such Compensation Deferral Agreement will continue in effect for each subsequent year or performance period. Such evergreen Compensation Deferral Agreements will become effective with respect to an item of Compensation on the date such election becomes irrevocable under this Section 4.2. An evergreen Compensation Deferral Agreement may be terminated or modified prospectively with respect to Compensation for which such election remains revocable under this Section 4.2. A Participant whose Compensation Deferral Agreement is cancelled in accordance with Section 4.6 will be required to file a new Compensation Deferral Agreement under this Article IV in order to recommence Deferrals under the Plan. |
4.3 | Allocation of Deferrals. A Compensation Deferral Agreement may allocate Deferrals to one or more Specified Date Accounts and/or to the Retirement/Termination Account. The Committee may, in its discretion, establish a minimum deferral period for the establishment of a Specified Date Account (for example, the third Plan Year following the year Compensation is allocated to such accounts.). |
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4.4 | Deductions from Pay. The Committee has the authority to determine the payroll practices under which any component of Compensation subject to a Compensation Deferral Agreement will be deducted from a Participants Compensation. |
4.5 | Vesting. Participant Deferrals shall be 100% vested at all times. |
4.6 |
Cancellation of Deferrals. The Committee may cancel a Participants Deferrals: (i) for the balance of the Plan Year in which an Unforeseeable Emergency occurs, (ii) if the Participant receives a hardship distribution under the Employers qualified 401(k) plan, through the end of the Plan Year in which the six- month anniversary of the hardship distribution falls, and (iii) during periods in which the Participant is unable to perform the duties of his or her position or any substantially similar position due to a mental or physical impairment that can be expected to result in death or last for a continuous period of at least six months, provided cancellation occurs by the later of the end of the taxable year of the Participant or the 15 th day of the third month following the date the Participant incurs the disability (as defined in this paragraph |
A RTICLE V
Company Contributions
5.1 | Discretionary Company Contributions. The Participating Employer may, from time to time in its sole and absolute discretion, credit Company Contributions to any Participant in any amount determined by the Participating Employer. Such contributions will be credited to a Participants Company Contribution Account. |
5.2 | Vesting. Company Contributions described in Section 5.1 above, and the Earnings thereon, shall become 100% vested after five (5) Years of Service. |
All Company Contributions shall become 100% vested upon the occurrence of the earliest of: (i) the death of the Participant while actively employed, (ii) the Disability of the Participant, (iii) a Change in Control, or (iv) an involuntary Separation from Service, other than for Cause. The Participating Employer may, at any time, in its sole discretion, increase a Participants vested interest in a Company Contribution. The portion of a Participants Accounts that remains unvested upon his or her Separation from Service after the application of the terms of this Section 5.2 shall be forfeited.
If a Participant incurs an involuntary Separation from Service for Cause or if the Committee determines that a Participant has violated an agreement with the Company containing a non-competition or non-solicitation restriction, such Participant shall forfeit all unpaid Company Contributions and any Earnings thereon, regardless of any vested interest the Participant may otherwise have in such amounts.
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A RTICLE VI
Benefits
6.1 | Benefits, Generally. A Participant shall be entitled to the following benefits under the Plan: |
(a) | Retirement Benefit. Upon the Participants Separation from Service due to Retirement, he or she shall be entitled to a Retirement Benefit. The Retirement Benefit shall be equal to the vested portion of |
i. | the Retirement/Termination Account, |
ii. | the Company Contribution Account and |
iii. | if the Retirement/Termination Account is payable in a lump sum, the unpaid balances of any Specified Date Accounts or |
iv. | if the Retirement/Termination Account is payable in installments, the vested portion of any specified Date Accounts with respect to which payments have not yet commenced. |
Notwithstanding clauses iii and iv above, any Specified Date Account payable solely as a Specified Date Benefit in accordance with the Participants initial deferral election establishing such account will be excluded from the Retirement Benefit.
The Retirement Benefit shall be based on the value of the accounts described above as of the end of the month in which Separation from Service occurs. Payment of the Retirement Benefit will be made or begin on or after the first day of the month following the month in which Separation from Service occurs, provided, however, that with respect to a Participant who is a Specified Employee as of the date such Participant incurs a Separation from Service, payment will be made or begin on the first day of the seventh month following the month in which such Separation from Service occurs. If the Retirement Benefit is to be paid in the form of installments, any subsequent installment payments to a Specified Employee will be paid on the anniversary of the date the initial installment was made.
(b) | Termination Benefit. Upon the Participants Separation from Service for reasons other than death, Disability or Retirement, he or she shall be entitled to a Termination Benefit. The Termination Benefit shall be equal to |
i. | the vested portion of the Retirement/Termination Account; |
ii. | the vested portion of any unpaid balances in any Specified Date Accounts; and |
iii. | the vested portion of the Company Contribution Account. |
Notwithstanding clause ii, above, any Specified Date Account payable solely as a Specified Date Benefit in accordance with the Participants initial deferral election establishing such account will be excluded from the Termination Benefit.
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The Termination Benefit shall be based on the value of the accounts described above as of the end of the month in which Separation from Service occurs or such later date as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine. Payment of the Termination Benefit will be made or begin in the month following the month in which Separation from Service occurs, provided, however, that with respect to a Participant who is a Specified Employee, payment will be made or begin on the first day of the seventh month following the month in which such Separation from Service occurs. If an account is to be paid in the form of installments, any subsequent installment payments to a Specified Employee will be paid on the anniversary of the date the initial installment was made.
(c) | Specified Date Benefit. If the Participant has established one or more Specified Date Accounts, he or she shall be entitled to a Specified Date Benefit with respect to each such Specified Date Account. The Specified Date Benefit shall be equal to the vested portion of the Specified Date Account, based on the value of that Account as of the end of the month designated by the Participant at the time the Account was established. Payment of the Specified Date Benefit will be made or begin on or after the first day of the month following the designated month. If a Participant specifies in the initial deferral election that establishes a Specified Date Account that such Account will be payable solely as a Specified Date Benefit, payment of such Account will not occur upon an earlier Separation from Service (other than Separation from Service following a Change in Control as described in Section 6.2). |
(d) | Disability Benefit. Upon a determination by the Committee that a Participant is Disabled, he or she shall be entitled to a Disability Benefit. The Disability Benefit shall be equal to the value of all of the Participants Accounts as of the last day of the month in which Disability occurs and will be paid in the following month. |
(e) | Death Benefit. In the event of the Participants death while an Employee, his or her designated Beneficiary(ies) shall be entitled to a Death Benefit. The Death Benefit shall be equal to the value of all of the Participants Accounts as of the end of the month in which death occurred, with payment made in the following month. If the Participants Separation from Service preceded his or her death, payment will continue to be made according to the Retirement or Termination Benefit provisions of Sections 6.1(a) or (b). |
(f) |
Unforeseeable Emergency Payments. A Participant who experiences an Unforeseeable Emergency may submit a written request to the Committee to receive payment of all or any portion of his or her vested Accounts. Whether a Participant or Beneficiary is faced with an Unforeseeable Emergency permitting an emergency payment shall be determined by the Committee based on the relevant facts and circumstances of each case, but, in any case, a distribution on |
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account of Unforeseeable Emergency may not be made to the extent that such emergency is or may be reimbursed through insurance or otherwise, by liquidation of the Participants assets, to the extent the liquidation of such assets would not cause severe financial hardship, or by cessation of Deferrals under this Plan. If an emergency payment is approved by the Committee, the amount of the payment shall not exceed the amount reasonably necessary to satisfy the need, taking into account the additional compensation that is available to the Participant as the result of cancellation of deferrals to the Plan, including amounts necessary to pay any taxes or penalties that the Participant reasonably anticipates will result from the payment. The amount of the emergency payment shall be subtracted first from the vested portion of the Participants Retirement/Termination Account until depleted and then from the vested Specified Date Accounts, beginning with the Specified Date Account with the latest payment commencement date. Emergency payments shall be paid in a single lump sum within the 90-day period following the date the payment is approved by the Committee. |
6.2 | Form of Payment. |
(a) | Retirement Benefit. A Participant who is entitled to receive a Retirement Benefit shall receive payment of the Retirement/Termination Account and any Specified Date Accounts described in Section 6.1(a) in a single lump sum, unless the Participant elects on his or her initial Compensation Deferral Agreement to have such accounts paid in one of the following alternative forms of payment (i) substantially equal annual installments over a period of two to ten years, as elected by the Participant, or (ii) a lump sum payment of a percentage of the balance in the accounts, with the balance paid in substantially equal annual installments over a period of two to ten years, as elected by the Participant. |
A Participant entitled to a Retirement Benefit will receive his or her Company Contribution Account in ten (10) annual installments. The Participant may not designate any other form of payment from the Company Contribution Account.
(b) | Termination Benefit. A Participant who is entitled to receive a Termination Benefit shall receive payment of the Retirement/Termination Account and any Specified Date Accounts described in Section 6.1(b) in a single lump sum. |
The Participant will receive the vested portion of his or her Company Contribution Account in five (5) annual installments.
(c) | Specified Date Benefit. The Specified Date Benefit shall be paid in a single lump sum, unless the Participant elects on the Compensation Deferral Agreement with which the applicable Specified Date Account was established to have such Account paid in substantially equal annual installments over a period of two (2) to five (5) years, as elected by the Participant. |
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(d) | Disability Benefit. A Participant who is entitled to receive a Disability Benefit will receive payment of such benefit in a single lump sum. |
(e) | Death Benefit. A designated Beneficiary who is entitled to receive a Death Benefit will receive payment in a single lump sum. |
(f) | Change in Control. A Participant will receive all of his or her Accounts in a single lump sum payment if Separation from Service occurs within 24 months following a Change in Control. Account balances will be valued as of the last day of the month in which the Separation from Service occurs and paid at the time provided in Section 6.1(b). |
In addition to the foregoing, a Participant who has incurred a Separation from Service prior to the Change in Control, and any Beneficiary of such Participant who is receiving or is scheduled to receive payments, will receive the balance of all unpaid Accounts in a single lump sum. Accounts will be valued as of the last day of the month following the Change in Control and will be paid within 90 days of said Change in Control (or, if later, the date specified in Section 6.1(b)).
(g) | Small Account Balances. The Committee shall pay the value of the Participants Accounts upon a Separation from Service in a single lump sum if the balance of such Accounts is not greater than the applicable dollar amount under Code Section 402(g)(1)(B), provided the payment represents the complete liquidation of the Participants interest in the Plan. |
(h) | Rules Applicable to Installment Payments. If a Payment Schedule specifies installment payments, annual payments will be made beginning as of the payment commencement date for such installments and shall continue on each anniversary thereof until the number of installment payments specified in the Payment Schedule has been paid. The amount of each installment payment shall be determined by dividing (a) by (b), where (a) equals the Account Balance as of the Valuation Date and (b) equals the remaining number of installment payments. |
For purposes of Article VII, installment payments will be treated as a single form of payment. If a lump sum equal to less than 100% of the Retirement/Termination Account is paid, the payment commencement date for the installment form of payment will be the first anniversary of the payment of the lump sum.
6.3 | Acceleration of or Delay in Payments. The Committee, in its sole and absolute discretion, may elect to accelerate the time or form of payment of a benefit owed to the Participant hereunder, provided such acceleration is permitted under Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(j)(4). The Committee may also, in its sole and absolute discretion, delay the time for payment of a benefit owed to the Participant hereunder, to the extent permitted under Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-2(b)(7). If the Plan receives a domestic relations order (within the meaning of Code Section 414(p)(1)(B)) directing that all or a portion of a Participants Accounts be paid to an alternate payee, any amounts to be paid to the alternate payee(s) shall be paid in a single lump sum. |
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A RTICLE VII
Modifications to Payment Schedules
7.1 | Participants Right to Modify. A Participant may modify the alternative Payment Schedules with respect to the Retirement/Termination Account or a Specified Date Account, consistent with the permissible Payment Schedules available under the Plan, provided such modification complies with the requirements of this Article VII. |
7.2 | Time of Election. The date on which a modification election is submitted to the Committee must be at least 12 months prior to the date on which payment is scheduled to commence under the Payment Schedule in effect prior to the modification. |
7.3 | Date of Payment under Modified Payment Schedule. The date payments are to commence under the modified Payment Schedule must be no earlier than five years after the date payment would have commenced under the original Payment Schedule. Under no circumstances may a modification election result in an acceleration of payments in violation of Code Section 409A. |
7.4 | Effective Date. A modification election submitted in accordance with this Article VII is irrevocable upon receipt by the Committee and becomes effective 12 months after such date. |
7.5 | Effect on Accounts. An election to modify a Payment Schedule is specific to the Account or payment event to which it applies, and shall not be construed to affect the Payment Schedules of any other Accounts. |
A RTICLE VIII
Valuation of Account Balances; Investments
8.1 | Valuation. Deferrals shall be credited to appropriate Accounts on the date such Compensation would have been paid to the Participant absent the Compensation Deferral Agreement. Company Contributions shall be credited to the Retirement/Termination Account at the times determined by the Committee. Valuation of Accounts shall be performed under procedures approved by the Committee. |
8.2 | Adjustment for Earnings. Each Account will be adjusted to reflect Earnings on each Business Day. Adjustments shall reflect the net earnings, gains, losses, expenses, appreciation and depreciation associated with an investment option for each portion of the Account allocated to such option (investment allocation). |
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8.3 | Investment Options . Investment options will be determined by the Committee. The Committee, in its sole discretion, shall be permitted to add or remove investment options from the Plan menu from time to time, provided that any such additions or removals of investment options shall not be effective with respect to any period prior to the effective date of such change. |
8.4 | Investment Allocations. A Participants investment allocation constitutes a deemed, not actual, investment among the investment options comprising the investment menu. At no time shall a Participant have any real or beneficial ownership in any investment option included in the investment menu, nor shall the Participating Employer or any trustee acting on its behalf have any obligation to purchase actual securities as a result of a Participants investment allocation. A Participants investment allocation shall be used solely for purposes of adjusting the value of a Participants Account Balances. |
A Participant shall specify an investment allocation for each of his or her Accounts in accordance with procedures established by the Committee. Allocation among the investment options must be designated in increments of 1%. The Participants investment allocation will become effective on the same Business Day or, in the case of investment allocations received after a time specified by the Committee, the next Business Day.
A Participant may change an investment allocation on any Business Day, both with respect to future credits to the Plan and with respect to existing Account Balances, in accordance with procedures adopted by the Committee. Changes shall become effective on the same Business Day or, in the case of investment allocations received after a time specified by the Committee, the next Business Day, and shall be applied prospectively.
8.5 | Unallocated Deferrals and Accounts. If the Participant fails to make an investment allocation with respect to an Account, such Account shall be invested in an investment option, the primary objective of which is the preservation of capital, as determined by the Committee. |
8.6 | Company Stock. The Committee may include Company Stock as one of the investment options described in Section 8.3. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, limit the investment allocation of Company Contributions to Company Stock. The Committee may also require Deferrals consisting of equity-based Compensation to be allocated to Company Stock. |
8.7 | Diversification. A Participant may not re-allocate an investment in Company Stock into another investment option. The portion of an Account that is invested in Company Stock will be paid under Article VI in the form of whole shares of Company Stock. |
8.8 | Effect on Installment Payments. If an Account is to be paid in installments, the Committee will determine the portion of each payment that will be paid in the form of Company Stock. |
8.9 | Dividend Equivalents. Dividend equivalents with respect to Company Stock will be credited to the applicable Accounts in the form of additional shares or units of Company Stock. |
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A RTICLE IX
Administration
9.1 | Plan Administration . This Plan shall be administered by the Committee which shall have discretionary authority to make, amend, interpret and enforce all appropriate rules and regulations for the administration of this Plan and to utilize its discretion to decide or resolve any and all questions, including but not limited to eligibility for benefits and interpretations of this Plan and its terms, as may arise in connection with the Plan. Claims for benefits shall be filed with the Committee and resolved in accordance with the claims procedures in Article XII. |
9.2 | Administration Upon Change in Control. Upon a Change in Control, the Committee, as constituted immediately prior to such Change in Control, shall continue to act as the Committee. The individual who was the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (or if such person is unable or unwilling to act, the next highest ranking officer) prior to the Change in Control shall have the authority (but shall not be obligated) to appoint an independent third party to act as the Committee. |
Upon such Change in Control, the Company may not remove the Committee, unless 2/3rds of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company and a majority of Participants and Beneficiaries with Account Balances consent to the removal and replacement of the Committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Committee nor the officer described above shall have authority to direct investment of trust assets under any rabbi trust described in Section 11.2.
The Participating Employer shall, with respect to the Committee identified under this Section: (i) pay all reasonable expenses and fees of the Committee, (ii) indemnify the Committee (including individuals serving as Committee members) against any costs, expenses and liabilities including, without limitation, attorneys fees and expenses arising in connection with the performance of the Committees duties hereunder, except with respect to matters resulting from the Committees gross negligence or willful misconduct, and (iii) supply full and timely information to the Committee on all matters related to the Plan, any rabbi trust, Participants, Beneficiaries and Accounts as the Committee may reasonably require.
9.3 | Withholding. The Participating Employer shall have the right to withhold from any payment due under the Plan (or with respect to any amounts credited to the Plan) any taxes required by law to be withheld in respect of such payment (or credit). Withholdings with respect to amounts credited to the Plan shall be deducted from Compensation that has not been deferred to the Plan. |
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9.4 | Indemnification. The Participating Employers shall indemnify and hold harmless each employee, officer, director, agent or organization, to whom or to which are delegated duties, responsibilities, and authority under the Plan or otherwise with respect to administration of the Plan, including, without limitation, the Committee and its agents, against all claims, liabilities, fines and penalties, and all expenses reasonably incurred by or imposed upon him or her or it (including but not limited to reasonable attorneys fees) which arise as a result of his or her or its actions or failure to act in connection with the operation and administration of the Plan to the extent lawfully allowable and to the extent that such claim, liability, fine, penalty, or expense is not paid for by liability insurance purchased or paid for by the Participating Employer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Participating Employer shall not indemnify any person or organization if his or her or its actions or failure to act are due to gross negligence or willful misconduct or for any such amount incurred through any settlement or compromise of any action unless the Participating Employer consents in writing to such settlement or compromise. |
9.5 | Delegation of Authority. In the administration of this Plan, the Committee may, from time to time, employ agents and delegate to them such administrative duties as it sees fit, and may from time to time consult with legal counsel who shall be legal counsel to the Company. |
9.6 | Binding Decisions or Actions. The decision or action of the Committee in respect of any question arising out of or in connection with the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan and the rules and regulations thereunder shall be final and conclusive and binding upon all persons having any interest in the Plan. |
A RTICLE X
Amendment and Termination
10.1 | Amendment and Termination. The Company may at any time and from time to time amend the Plan or may terminate the Plan as provided in this Article X. Each Participating Employer may also terminate its participation in the Plan. |
10.2 | Amendments. The Company, by action taken by its Board of Directors, may amend the Plan at any time and for any reason, provided that any such amendment shall not reduce the vested Account Balances of any Participant accrued as of the date of any such amendment or restatement (as if the Participant had incurred a voluntary Separation from Service on such date) or reduce any rights of a Participant under the Plan or other Plan features with respect to Deferrals made prior to the date of any such amendment or restatement without the consent of the Participant. The Board of Directors of the Company may delegate to the Committee the authority to amend the Plan without the consent of the Board of Directors for the purpose of: (i) conforming the Plan to the requirements of law; (ii) facilitating the administration of the Plan; (iii) clarifying provisions based on the Committees interpretation of the document; and (iv) making such other amendments as the Board of Directors may authorize. |
10.3 |
Termination. The Company, by action taken by its Board of Directors, may terminate the Plan and pay Participants and Beneficiaries their Account Balances in a single lump sum at any time, to the extent and in accordance with Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(ix). |
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If a Participating Employer terminates its participation in the Plan, the benefits of affected Employees shall be paid at the time provided in Article VI. |
10.4 | Accounts Taxable Under Code Section 409A. The Plan is intended to constitute a plan of deferred compensation that meets the requirements for deferral of income taxation under Code Section 409A. The Committee, pursuant to its authority to interpret the Plan, may sever from the Plan or any Compensation Deferral Agreement any provision or exercise of a right that otherwise would result in a violation of Code Section 409A. |
A RTICLE XI
Informal Funding
11.1 | General Assets. Obligations established under the terms of the Plan may be satisfied from the general funds of the Participating Employers, or a trust described in this Article XI. No Participant, spouse or Beneficiary shall have any right, title or interest whatever in assets of the Participating Employers. Nothing contained in this Plan, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, shall create or be construed to create a trust of any kind, or a fiduciary relationship, between the Participating Employers and any Employee, spouse, or Beneficiary. To the extent that any person acquires a right to receive payments hereunder, such rights are no greater than the right of an unsecured general creditor of the Participating Employer. |
11.2 | Rabbi Trust. A Participating Employer may, in its sole discretion, establish a grantor trust, commonly known as a rabbi trust, as a vehicle for accumulating assets to pay benefits under the Plan. Payments under the Plan may be paid from the general assets of the Participating Employer or from the assets of any such rabbi trust. Payment from any such source shall reduce the obligation owed to the Participant or Beneficiary under the Plan. |
A RTICLE XII
Claims
12.1 | Filing a Claim. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to the Plan shall be filed in writing with the Committee which shall make all determinations concerning such claim. Any claim filed with the Committee and any decision by the Committee denying such claim shall be in writing and shall be delivered to the Participant or Beneficiary filing the claim (the Claimant). |
(a) | In General. Notice of a denial of benefits (other than Disability benefits) will be provided within 90 days of the Committees receipt of the Claimants claim for benefits. If the Committee determines that it needs additional time to review the claim, the Committee will provide the Claimant with a notice of the extension before the end of the initial 90-day period. The extension will not be more than 90 days from the end of the initial 90-day period and the notice of extension will explain the special circumstances that require the extension and the date by which the Committee expects to make a decision. |
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(b) | Disability Benefits. Notice of denial of Disability benefits will be provided within forty-five (45) days of the Committees receipt of the Claimants claim for Disability benefits. If the Committee determines that it needs additional time to review the Disability claim, the Committee will provide the Claimant with a notice of the extension before the end of the initial 45 day period. If the Committee determines that a decision cannot be made within the first extension period due to matters beyond the control of the Committee, the time period for making a determination may be further extended for an additional 30 days. If such an additional extension is necessary, the Committee shall notify the Claimant prior to the expiration of the initial 30-day extension. Any notice of extension shall indicate the circumstances necessitating the extension of time, the date by which the Committee expects to furnish a notice of decision, the specific standards on which such entitlement to a benefit is based, the unresolved issues that prevent a decision on the claim and any additional information needed to resolve those issues. A Claimant will be provided a minimum of 45 days to submit any necessary additional information to the Committee. In the event that a 30 day extension is necessary due to a Claimants failure to submit information necessary to decide a claim, the period for furnishing a notice of decision shall be tolled from the date on which the notice of the extension is sent to the Claimant until the earlier of the date the Claimant responds to the request for additional information or the response deadline. |
(c) | Contents of Notice. If a claim for benefits is completely or partially denied, notice of such denial shall be in writing and shall set forth the reasons for denial in plain language. The notice shall: (i) cite the pertinent provisions of the Plan document, and (ii) explain, where appropriate, how the Claimant can perfect the claim, including a description of any additional material or information necessary to complete the claim and why such material or information is necessary. The claim denial also shall include an explanation of the claims review procedures and the time limits applicable to such procedures, including a statement of the Claimants right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA following an adverse decision on review. In the case of a complete or partial denial of a Disability benefit claim, the notice shall provide a statement that the Committee will provide to the Claimant, upon request and free of charge, a copy of any internal rule, guideline, protocol, or other similar criterion that was relied upon in making the decision. |
12.2 |
Appeal of Denied Claims. A Claimant whose claim has been completely or partially denied shall be entitled to appeal the claim denial by filing a written appeal with a committee designated to hear such appeals (the Appeals Committee). A Claimant who timely requests a review of the denied claim (or his or her authorized representative) may review, upon request and free of charge, copies of all documents, records and other information relevant to the denial and may submit written comments, documents, records and other information relevant to the claim to the Appeals Committee. All written comments, documents, records, and other information shall be considered relevant if the information: (i) was relied upon in making a benefits determination, (ii) was |
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submitted, considered or generated in the course of making a benefits decision regardless of whether it was relied upon to make the decision, or (iii) demonstrates compliance with administrative processes and safeguards established for making benefit decisions. The Appeals Committee may, in its sole discretion and if it deems appropriate or necessary, decide to hold a hearing with respect to the claim appeal. |
(a) | In General. Appeal of a denied benefits claim (other than a Disability benefits claim) must be filed in writing with the Appeals Committee no later than 60 days after receipt of the written notification of such claim denial. The Appeals Committee shall make its decision regarding the merits of the denied claim within 60 days following receipt of the appeal (or within 120 days after such receipt, in a case where there are special circumstances requiring extension of time for reviewing the appealed claim). If an extension of time for reviewing the appeal is required because of special circumstances, written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the Claimant prior to the commencement of the extension. The notice will indicate the special circumstances requiring the extension of time and the date by which the Appeals Committee expects to render the determination on review. The review will take into account comments, documents, records and other information submitted by the Claimant relating to the claim without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination. |
(b) | Disability Benefits. Appeal of a denied Disability benefits claim must be filed in writing with the Appeals Committee no later than 180 days after receipt of the written notification of such claim denial. The review shall be conducted by the Appeals Committee (exclusive of the person who made the initial adverse decision or such persons subordinate). In reviewing the appeal, the Appeals Committee shall: (i) not afford deference to the initial denial of the claim, (ii) consult a medical professional who has appropriate training and experience in the field of medicine relating to the Claimants disability and who was neither consulted as part of the initial denial nor is the subordinate of such individual, and (iii) identify the medical or vocational experts whose advice was obtained with respect to the initial benefit denial, without regard to whether the advice was relied upon in making the decision. The Appeals Committee shall make its decision regarding the merits of the denied claim within 45 days following receipt of the appeal (or within 90 days after such receipt, in a case where there are special circumstances requiring extension of time for reviewing the appealed claim). If an extension of time for reviewing the appeal is required because of special circumstances, written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the Claimant prior to the commencement of the extension. The notice will indicate the special circumstances requiring the extension of time and the date by which the Appeals Committee expects to render the determination on review. Following its review of any additional information submitted by the Claimant, the Appeals Committee shall render a decision on its review of the denied claim. |
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(c) | Contents of Notice. If a benefits claim is completely or partially denied on review, notice of such denial shall be in writing and shall set forth the reasons for denial in plain language. |
The decision on review shall set forth: (i) the specific reason or reasons for the denial, (ii) specific references to the pertinent Plan provisions on which the denial is based, (iii) a statement that the Claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to and copies of all documents, records, or other information relevant (as defined above) to the Claimants claim, and (iv) a statement describing any voluntary appeal procedures offered by the plan and a statement of the Claimants right to bring an action under Section 502(a) of ERISA.
(d) | For the denial of a Disability benefit, the notice will also include a statement that the Appeals Committee will provide, upon request and free of charge: (i) any internal rule, guideline, protocol or other similar criterion relied upon in making the decision, (ii) any medical opinion relied upon to make the decision, and (iii) the required statement under Section 2560.503-1(j)(5)(iii) of the Department of Labor regulations. |
12.3 | Claims Appeals Upon Change in Control. Upon a Change in Control, the Appeals Committee, as constituted immediately prior to such Change in Control, shall continue to act as the Appeals Committee. Upon such Change in Control, the Company may not remove any member of the Appeals Committee, but may replace resigning members if 2/3rds of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company and a majority of Participants and Beneficiaries with Account Balances consent to the replacement. |
The Appeals Committee shall have the exclusive authority at the appeals stage to interpret the terms of the Plan and resolve appeals under the Claims Procedure.
Each Participating Employer shall, with respect to the Committee identified under this Section: (i) pay its proportionate share of all reasonable expenses and fees of the Appeals Committee, (ii) indemnify the Appeals Committee (including individual committee members) against any costs, expenses and liabilities including, without limitation, attorneys fees and expenses arising in connection with the performance of the Appeals Committee hereunder, except with respect to matters resulting from the Appeals Committees gross negligence or willful misconduct, and (iii) supply full and timely information to the Appeals Committee on all matters related to the Plan, any rabbi trust, Participants, Beneficiaries and Accounts as the Appeals Committee may reasonably require.
12.4 | Legal Action. A Claimant may not bring any legal action, including commencement of any arbitration, relating to a claim for benefits under the Plan unless and until the Claimant has followed the claims procedures under the Plan and exhausted his or her administrative remedies under such claims procedures. Any such legal action must be commenced within one year of a final determination hereunder with respect to such claim. |
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If a Participant or Beneficiary prevails in a legal proceeding brought under the Plan to enforce the rights of such Participant or any other similarly situated Participant or Beneficiary, in whole or in part, the Participating Employer shall reimburse such Participant or Beneficiary for all legal costs, expenses, attorneys fees and such other liabilities incurred as a result of such proceedings. If the legal proceeding is brought in connection with a Change in Control, or a change in control as defined in a rabbi trust described in Section 11.2, the Participant or Beneficiary may file a claim directly with the trustee for reimbursement of such costs, expenses and fees. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the amount of the claim shall be treated as if it were an addition to the Participants or Beneficiarys Account Balance.
12.5 | Discretion of Appeals Committee. All interpretations, determinations and decisions of the Appeals Committee with respect to any claim shall be made in its sole discretion, and shall be final and conclusive. |
12.6 | Arbitration. |
(a) | Prior to Change in Control. If, prior to a Change in Control, any claim or controversy between a Participating Employer and a Participant or Beneficiary is not resolved through the claims procedure set forth in Article XII, such claim shall be submitted to and resolved exclusively by expedited binding arbitration by a single arbitrator. Arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the following procedures: |
The complaining party shall promptly send written notice to the other party identifying the matter in dispute and the proposed remedy. Following the giving of such notice, the parties shall meet and attempt in good faith to resolve the matter. In the event the parties are unable to resolve the matter within 21 days, the parties shall meet and attempt in good faith to select a single arbitrator acceptable to both parties. If a single arbitrator is not selected by mutual consent within ten Business Days following the giving of the written notice of dispute, an arbitrator shall be selected from a list of nine persons each of whom shall be an attorney who is either engaged in the active practice of law or recognized arbitrator and who, in either event, is experienced in serving as an arbitrator in disputes between employers and employees, which list shall be provided by the main office of either JAMS, the American Arbitration Association (AAA) or the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. If, within three Business Days of the parties receipt of such list, the parties are unable to agree on an arbitrator from the list, then the parties shall each strike names alternatively from the list, with the first to strike being determined by the flip of a coin. After each party has had four strikes, the remaining name on the list shall be the arbitrator. If such person is unable to serve for any reason, the parties shall repeat this process until an arbitrator is selected.
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Unless the parties agree otherwise, within 60 days of the selection of the arbitrator, a hearing shall be conducted before such arbitrator at a time and a place agreed upon by the parties. In the event the parties are unable to agree upon the time or place of the arbitration, the time and place shall be designated by the arbitrator after consultation with the parties. Within 30 days of the conclusion of the arbitration hearing, the arbitrator shall issue an award, accompanied by a written decision explaining the basis for the arbitrators award.
In any arbitration hereunder, the Participating Employer shall pay all administrative fees of the arbitration and all fees of the arbitrator, except that the Participant or Beneficiary may, if he/she/it wishes, pay up to one-half of those amounts. Each party shall pay its own attorneys fees, costs, and expenses, unless the arbitrator orders otherwise. The prevailing party in such arbitration, as determined by the arbitrator, and in any enforcement or other court proceedings, shall be entitled, to the extent permitted by law, to reimbursement from the other party for all of the prevailing partys costs (including but not limited to the arbitrators compensation), expenses, and attorneys fees. The arbitrator shall have no authority to add to or to modify this Plan, shall apply all applicable law, and shall have no lesser and no greater remedial authority than would a court of law resolving the same claim or controversy. The arbitrator shall, upon an appropriate motion, dismiss any claim without an evidentiary hearing if the party bringing the motion establishes that it would be entitled to summary judgment if the matter had been pursued in court litigation.
The parties shall be entitled to discovery as follows: Each party may take no more than three depositions. The Participating Employer may depose the Participant or Beneficiary plus two other witnesses, and the Participant or Beneficiary may depose the Participating Employer, pursuant to Rule 30(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, plus two other witnesses. Each party may make such reasonable document discovery requests as are allowed in the discretion of the arbitrator.
The decision of the arbitrator shall be final, binding, and non-appealable, and may be enforced as a final judgment in any court of competent jurisdiction.
This arbitration provision of the Plan shall extend to claims against any parent, subsidiary, or affiliate of each party, and, when acting within such capacity, any officer, director, shareholder, Participant, Beneficiary, or agent of any party, or of any of the above, and shall apply as well to claims arising out of state and federal statutes and local ordinances as well as to claims arising under the common law or under this Plan.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, and unless otherwise agreed between the parties, either party may apply to a court for provisional relief, including a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction, on the ground that the arbitration award to which the applicant may be entitled may be rendered ineffectual without provisional relief.
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Any arbitration hereunder shall be conducted in accordance with the Federal Arbitration Act: provided, however, that, in the event of any inconsistency between the rules and procedures of the Act and the terms of this Plan, the terms of this Plan shall prevail.
If any of the provisions of this Section 12.6(a) are determined to be unlawful or otherwise unenforceable, in the whole part, such determination shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this section and this section shall be reformed to the extent necessary to carry out its provisions to the greatest extent possible and to insure that the resolution of all conflicts between the parties, including those arising out of statutory claims, shall be resolved by neutral, binding arbitration. If a court should find that the provisions of this Section 12.6(a) are not absolutely binding, then the parties intend any arbitration decision and award to be fully admissible in evidence in any subsequent action, given great weight by any finder of fact and treated as determinative to the maximum extent permitted by law.
The parties do not agree to arbitrate any putative class action or any other representative action. The parties agree to arbitrate only the claims(s) of a single Participant or Beneficiary.
(b) | Upon Change in Control. If, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, any dispute, controversy or claim arises between a Participant or Beneficiary and the Participating Employer out of or relating to or concerning the provisions of the Plan, such dispute, controversy or claim shall be finally settled by a court of competent jurisdiction which, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, shall apply a de novo standard of review to any determination made by the Company or its Board of Directors, a Participating Employer, the Committee, or the Appeals Committee. |
A RTICLE XIII
General Provisions
13.1 | Assignment. No interest of any Participant, spouse or Beneficiary under this Plan and no benefit payable hereunder shall be assigned as security for a loan, and any such purported assignment shall be null, void and of no effect, nor shall any such interest or any such benefit be subject in any manner, either voluntarily or involuntarily, to anticipation, sale, transfer, assignment or encumbrance by or through any Participant, spouse or Beneficiary. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, however, the Committee has the discretion to make payments to an alternate payee in accordance with the terms of a domestic relations order (as defined in Code Section 414(p)(1)(B)). |
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The Company may assign any or all of its liabilities under this Plan in connection with any restructuring, recapitalization, sale of assets or other similar transactions affecting a Participating Employer without the consent of the Participant.
13.2 | No Legal or Equitable Rights or Interest. No Participant or other person shall have any legal or equitable rights or interest in this Plan that are not expressly granted in this Plan. Participation in this Plan does not give any person any right to be retained in the service of the Participating Employer. The right and power of a Participating Employer to dismiss or discharge an Employee is expressly reserved. The Participating Employers make no representations or warranties as to the tax consequences to a Participant or a Participants beneficiaries resulting from a deferral of income pursuant to the Plan. |
13.3 | No Employment Contract. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to constitute a contract of employment between an Employee and a Participating Employer. |
13.4 | Notice. Any notice or filing required or permitted to be delivered to the Committee under this Plan shall be delivered in writing, in person, or through such electronic means as is established by the Committee. Notice shall be deemed given as of the date of delivery or, if delivery is made by mail, as of the date shown on the postmark on the receipt for registration or certification. Written transmission shall be sent by certified mail to: |
FRANKS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
ATTN: DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
10260 WESTHEIMER ROAD, SUITE 700
HOUSTON, TX 77042
Any notice or filing required or permitted to be given to a Participant under this Plan shall be sufficient if in writing or hand-delivered, or sent by mail to the last known address of the Participant.
13.5 | Headings. The headings of Sections are included solely for convenience of reference, and if there is any conflict between such headings and the text of this Plan, the text shall control. |
13.6 | Invalid or Unenforceable Provisions. If any provision of this Plan shall be held invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions hereof and the Committee may elect in its sole discretion to construe such invalid or unenforceable provisions in a manner that conforms to applicable law or as if such provisions, to the extent invalid or unenforceable, had not been included. |
13.7 | Lost Participants or Beneficiaries. Any Participant or Beneficiary who is entitled to a benefit from the Plan has the duty to keep the Committee advised of his or her current mailing address. If benefit payments are returned to the Plan or are not presented for payment after a reasonable amount of time, the Committee shall presume that the payee is missing. The Committee, after making such efforts as in its discretion it deems reasonable and appropriate to locate the payee, shall stop payment on any uncashed checks and may discontinue making future payments until contact with the payee is restored. |
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13.8 | Facility of Payment to a Minor. If a distribution is to be made to a minor, or to a person who is otherwise incompetent, then the Committee may, in its discretion, make such distribution: (i) to the legal guardian, or if none, to a parent of a minor payee with whom the payee maintains his or her residence, or (ii) to the conservator or committee or, if none, to the person having custody of an incompetent payee. Any such distribution shall fully discharge the Committee, the Company, and the Plan from further liability on account thereof. |
13.9 | Governing Law. To the extent not preempted by ERISA, the laws of the State of Texas shall govern the construction and administration of the Plan. |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned executed this Plan as of the 31 st day of December, 2008, to be effective as of the Effective Date.
Franks International, Inc. | ||
By: | /s/ Keith Mosing | |
Keith Mosing President and CEO |
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