UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 20, 2015 (October 19, 2015)

 

 

 

LOGO

NN, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   0-23486   62-1096725

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

207 Mockingbird Lane   37604
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(423) 743-9151

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 


ITEM 1.01 ENTRY INTO A MATERIAL DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT

On October 19, 2015 (the “Closing Date”), NN, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“NN”), completed its previously announced acquisition (the “Acquisition”) of all of the outstanding capital stock of Precision Engineered Products Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“PEP”), pursuant to that certain Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 17, 2015 (the “Stock Purchase Agreement”), by and among NN, PEP and PEP Industries, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Seller”).

In connection with the Acquisition, on the Closing Date, NN completed its previously announced private offering (the “Offering”) of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 10.25% Senior Notes due 2020 (the “Notes”), and entered into new senior secured credit facilities consisting of a $525.0 million term loan credit facility (the “New Term Loan Credit Facility”) and a $100.0 million revolving loan credit facility (the “New Revolving Loan Credit Facility” and, together with the New Term Loan Credit Facility, the “New Senior Credit Facilities”).

NN utilized the net proceeds from the Offering, together with borrowings under the New Term Loan Credit Facility and cash on hand, to pay the purchase price for the Acquisition, to refinance certain indebtedness of NN (as described below) and to pay fees and expenses related to the foregoing.

Purchase Agreement

On October 16, 2015, NN and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., as representative of the several initial purchasers listed on Schedule A attached to the Purchase Agreement (the “Initial Purchasers”), in connection with the Offering of the Notes.

On October 19, 2015, the Notes were offered and sold to qualified institutional buyers inside the United States pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction, and may not be offered or sold in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

The foregoing description of the Purchase Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Purchase Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

Indenture and Supplemental Indenture

The terms of the Notes are governed by an indenture, dated as of the Closing Date (the “Indenture”), by and among NN, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto (the “NN Guarantors”) and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

Interest and Maturity . The Notes bear interest at a rate of 10.25% per annum and mature on November 1, 2020. Interest is payable on the Notes on May 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing on May 1, 2016.

Guarantees . NN’s obligations under the Notes are guaranteed by the NN Guarantors and PEP and certain direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries of PEP (collectively, the “PEP Guarantors” and, together with the NN Guarantors, the “Guarantors”).

Ranking . The Notes and related guarantees are senior unsecured obligations and rank equally in right of payment with all of NN’s existing and future senior debt, senior in right of payment to all of NN’s existing and future subordinated debt, and effectively subordinated to all of NN’s existing and future secured debt.

Covenants . The Indenture contains restrictive covenants that limit the ability of NN and its restricted subsidiaries to, among other things, incur more indebtedness or issue certain preferred shares; pay dividends, redeem stock or make other distributions; make certain investments; create liens; enter into agreements restricting its subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends; and consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its or their assets. These covenants are subject to certain exceptions and qualifications as set forth in the Indenture.

 

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Events of Default . The Indenture provides for events of default (subject in certain cases to customary grace and cure periods), which include, among others, nonpayment of principal or interest when due, breach of covenants or other agreements in the Indenture, defaults in payment of certain other indebtedness and certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency. Generally, if an event of default occurs, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may declare the principal of, and accrued but unpaid interest on, all of the Notes to be due and payable immediately.

Redemption . At any time prior to November 1, 2017, NN may redeem the Notes in whole or in part at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes plus the “applicable premium” set forth in the Indenture and the Notes. At any time on or after November 1, 2017, NN may redeem the Notes at the redemption prices set forth in the Indenture and the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. In addition, at any time prior to November 1, 2017, NN may redeem up to 35% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes in an amount not exceeding the net proceeds of one or more equity offerings, as described in the Indenture, at a redemption price equal to 110.250% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. If NN experiences certain change of control events, NN must offer to repurchase all of the Notes (unless otherwise redeemed) at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the repurchase date.

The foregoing description of the Indenture and the Notes and related guarantees is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Indenture and the Notes and related guarantees, copies of which are filed as Exhibits 4.1 and 4.2, respectively, hereto and are incorporated herein by reference.

Purchase Agreement Joinder

Subsequent to the completion of the Acquisition, on the Closing Date, the PEP Guarantors entered into a joinder to the Purchase Agreement (the “Joinder Agreement”), pursuant to which the PEP Guarantors became parties to the Purchase Agreement.

The foregoing description of the Joinder Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Joinder Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.2 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

Supplemental Indenture

Subsequent to the completion of the Acquisition, on the Closing Date, the PEP Guarantors entered into a supplemental indenture (the “Supplemental Indenture”) with NN and the Trustee, pursuant to which the PEP Guarantors became guarantors of the Notes under the Indenture.

The foregoing description of the Supplemental Indenture is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Supplemental Indenture, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 4.3 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

New Senior Credit Facilities

In connection with the Acquisition, on the Closing Date, NN entered into a new credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with KeyBank National Association, as administrative agent (“KeyBank”), Regions Bank, as syndication agent, SunTrust Bank, as documentation agent, and KeyBanc Capital Markets, Inc., SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. and Regions Capital Markets as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners, providing for the New Senior Credit Facilities.

Interest . The interest rates applicable to borrowings under the New Senior Credit Facilities are based on a fluctuating rate of interest measured by reference to either, at NN’s option, (i) a base rate, plus an applicable margin, or (ii) the greater of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or 1.0%, plus an applicable margin. The initial applicable margin for all borrowings under the New Term Loan Credit Facility is 3.75% per annum with respect to base rate borrowings and 4.75% per annum with respect to

 

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LIBOR borrowings. The initial applicable margin for New Revolving Loan Credit Facility borrowings is 2.50% per annum with respect to base rate borrowings and 3.50% per annum with respect to LIBOR borrowings, which shall be in effect until NN provides KeyBank with a compliance certificate, as required by the Credit Agreement. Thereafter, the applicable margin shall be determined by reference to a ratio of NN’s consolidated leverage ratio, as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement.

Prepayments . NN may voluntarily prepay outstanding loans under the New Senior Credit Facilities, in whole or in part without premium or penalty. The Credit Agreement requires NN to prepay outstanding loans, subject to certain exceptions, with: (i) a variable percentage of excess cash flow; (ii) 100% of the net cash proceeds of non-ordinary course asset sales or other dispositions of property by NN or any of its subsidiaries, and 100% of the net cash proceeds from certain insurance and condemnation events with respect to NN’s assets, subject to customary thresholds and reinvestment rights; (iii) 100% of the net cash proceeds from the issuance or incurrence of debt obligations for borrowed money not permitted by the Credit Agreement by NN or any of its subsidiaries; (iv) 100% of any cash received not in the ordinary course of business.

Maturity . The New Revolving Loan Credit Facility matures on October 19, 2020. The New Term Loan Credit Facility matures on October 19, 2022.

Guarantee and Security . NN’s obligations under the New Senior Credit Facilities are guaranteed by NN and each of NN’s direct and indirect, existing and future domestic subsidiaries, subject to customary exceptions and limitations. The New Senior Credit Facilities are secured by a first priority lien over substantially all of NN’s and each guarantor’s assets, subject to certain customary exceptions.

Covenants . The New Senior Credit Facilities are subject to negative covenants that, among other things and subject to certain exceptions, limit NN’s ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries to: (i) incur liens; (ii) incur indebtedness; (iii) make investments and acquisitions; (iv) merge, liquidate or dissolve; (v) sell assets, including capital stock of subsidiaries; (vi) pay dividends on capital stock or redeem, repurchase or retire capital stock; (vii) alter NN’s business; (viii) engage in transactions with NN’s affiliates; and (ix) enter into agreements limiting subsidiary dividends and distributions. In the event borrowings under the New Revolving Loan Credit Facility exceed 30.0% of the aggregate commitments under such New Revolving Loan Credit Facility, NN will become subject to a financial covenant that requires NN to maintain a specified consolidated net leverage ratio, as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement.

Events of Default . The Credit Agreement also contains certain customary events of default (including, among others, an event of default upon a change of control). If an event of default occurs and is not cured or waived, the lenders under the New Senior Credit Facilities are entitled to take various actions, including the acceleration of amounts due under the New Senior Credit Facilities and all actions permitted to be taken by a secured creditor.

Incremental Facilities . The Credit Agreement provides that NN has the right at any time to request one or more increases in the revolving loan commitments or term loan commitments up to $100 million in the aggregate, provided that any such request for an incremental increase must exceed $25 million and no event of default exists at the time of such request. Such incremental increases in commitments or loans are subject to certain customary conditions precedent.

The foregoing description of the Credit Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Credit Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.3 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

Registration Rights Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement Joinder

On the Closing Date, NN and the NN Guarantors entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) relating to the Notes with SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., for itself and as representative of the Initial Purchasers. The Registration Rights Agreement requires NN and the NN Guarantors, at their cost, to, among other things: (i) use their commercially reasonable efforts to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to an offer to exchange (the “exchange offer”) the Notes and related guarantees for new, registered notes and guarantees with substantially identical terms in all material respects (except for the transfer restrictions relating to the Notes and related guarantees) and (ii) use

 

4


their commercially reasonable efforts to cause the registration statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act and complete the exchange offer within 300 days after the Closing Date. In addition, under certain circumstances, NN and the NN Guarantors may be required to file a shelf registration statement to cover resales of the Notes and related guarantees.

If NN fails to satisfy its obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement with respect to the registrable securities (a “registration default”), then additional interest will accrue on the principal amount of the Notes and related guarantees that are registrable securities at a rate of 0.25% per annum for the first 90-day period beginning on the day immediately following such registration default (which rate will be increased by an additional 0.25% per annum for each subsequent 90-day period until and including the date such registration default ends, up to a maximum increase of 1.0% per annum). The additional interest will cease to accrue when the registration default is cured.

The Registration Rights Agreement defines “registrable securities” initially to mean the Notes and related guarantees. The Notes and related guarantees will cease to be registrable securities upon the earliest to occur of (i) when a registration statement with respect to such Notes and related guarantees has become effective under the Securities Act and such Notes and related guarantees have been exchanged or disposed of pursuant to such registration statement; (ii) when such Notes and related guarantees cease to be outstanding; or (iii) the later of (a) October 19, 2017 and (b) the date upon which such Notes and related guarantees are sold pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

Subsequent to the completion of the Acquisition, on the Closing Date, the PEP Guarantors entered into a Registration Rights Agreement Joinder (the “Registration Rights Agreement Joinder”), pursuant to which the PEP Guarantors became parties to the Registration Rights Agreement.

The foregoing description of the Registration Rights Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement Joinder is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Registration Rights Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement Joinder, copies of which are filed hereto as Exhibits 10.4 and 10.5, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 1.02 TERMINATION OF A MATERIAL DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT

On the Closing Date, contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of the New Credit Facilities, (i) that certain Term Loan Credit Agreement, dated as of August 29, 2014, by and among NN, Bank of America, N.A., the several lenders from time to time a party thereto, KeyBank National Association, as syndication agent, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and KeyBank National Association as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners, and (ii) that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of August 29, 2014, by and among NN, NN Netherlands B.V., the several lenders from time to time a party thereto, KeyBank National Association, and Bank of America, N.A., were terminated and all amounts outstanding thereunder were repaid.

 

ITEM 2.01. COMPLETION OF ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS.

Pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, on the Closing Date, NN acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of PEP from the Seller. The aggregate purchase price (the “Purchase Price”) for the Acquisition was $615.0 million in cash, adjusted to account for PEP’s indebtedness, working capital and cash balance at the Closing Date. The Purchase Price was also adjusted for certain Acquisition-related expenses and tax benefits. The Purchase Price includes: (i) $2.0 million, which is being held in escrow to satisfy any potential working capital adjustments; (ii) $6.15 million, which is being held in escrow for twelve months following the Closing Date to satisfy any potential indemnification claims; and (iii) $5.0 million, which is being held in escrow to satisfy a portion of certain earnout obligations of Seller and/or PEP owed to certain persons that had previously sold certain business units to PEP.

The foregoing description of the Stock Purchase Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Stock Purchase Agreement, a copy of which was previously filed as Exhibit 2.1 to NN’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 18, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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ITEM 2.03 CREATION OF A DIRECT FINANCIAL OBLIGATION OR AN OBLIGATION UNDER AN OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENT OF A REGISTRANT

The information regarding the Indenture, Supplemental Indenture, Purchase Agreement, Purchase Agreement Joinder and the New Senior Credit Facilities set forth in Item 1.01 above is incorporated herein by reference. On the Closing Date, NN borrowed $525.0 million under the New Term Loan Credit Facility. NN used the borrowings under the New Senior Credit Facilities, together with net proceeds from the Offering and cash on hand, to pay the Purchase Price for the Acquisition, to refinance certain indebtedness of NN and to pay fees and expenses related to the foregoing.

 

ITEM 7.01 REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE

On October 20, 2015, NN issued a press release announcing the completion of the Acquisition. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

The information furnished pursuant to Item 7.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the Notes. Any offers of the Notes will be made only by means of a private offering memorandum.

Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the information furnished pursuant to Item 7.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, is deemed to have been furnished and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section. Such information shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing of NN, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements about the effects of the Acquisition and the other transactions contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement and all other statements herein and therein, other than historical facts, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and any such forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the following cautionary statements.

All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and are based on current expectations and involve a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. In addition, the forward-looking statements represent NN’s views as of the date on which such statements were made. NN anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause its views to change. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing NN’s views as of any date subsequent to the date hereof. Additional factors that may affect the business or financial results of NN are described in the risk factors included in NN’s filings with the SEC, including NN’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 and the risk factors included in Exhibit 99.1 to NN’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 22, 2015. NN expressly disclaims a duty to provide updates to forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or other occurrences, except as required by law.

 

ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(a) Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired

Financial statements of the business acquired will be filed by amendment to this Current Report on Form 8-K (this “Report”) no later than 71 days following the date that this Report is required to be filed.

 

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(b) Pro Forma Financial Information

Pro forma financial information will be filed by amendment to this Report no later than 71 days following the date that this Report is required to be filed.

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

  2.1*    Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 17, 2015, by and among NN, Inc., Precision Engineered Products Holdings, Inc. and PEP Industries, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to NN, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 18, 2015).
  4.1    Indenture, dated as of October 19, 2015, by and among NN, Inc., the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee.
  4.2    Form of the NN, Inc. 10.25% Senior Notes due 2020 (included as Exhibit A to the Indenture filed herewith as Exhibit 4.1).
  4.3    Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 19, 2015, by and among NN, Inc., certain direct and indirect subsidiaries of NN, Inc., as additional subsidiary guarantors, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee.
10.1    Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 16, 2015, by and among NN, Inc., the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., acting on behalf of itself and as the representative of the several initial purchasers identified therein.
10.2    Joinder to the Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 19, 2015, by and among certain direct and indirect subsidiaries of NN, Inc., as additional parties to the Purchase Agreement filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1.
10.3    Credit Agreement, dated as of October 19, 2015, by and among NN, Inc., KeyBank National Association, as administrative agent, Regions Bank, a syndication agent and SunTrust Bank as documentation agent, and KeyBanc Capital Markets, Inc., SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. and Regions Capital Markets as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners.
10.4    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 19, 2015, by and among NN, Inc., the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc.
10.5    Registration Rights Agreement Joinder, dated as of October 19, 2015, by and among certain direct and indirect subsidiaries of NN, Inc., as additional parties to the Registration Rights Agreement filed herewith as Exhibit 10.4.
99.1    Press Release of NN, Inc., dated October 20, 2015.

 

* Schedules and exhibits are omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. NN, Inc. agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedules or exhibits to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

 

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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.

Date: October 20, 2015

 

NN, INC.
By:  

/s/ Matthew S. Heiter

Name:   Matthew S. Heiter
Title:   Senior Vice President and General Counsel


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

  2.1*    Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 17, 2015, by and among NN, Inc., Precision Engineered Products Holdings, Inc. and PEP Industries, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to NN, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 18, 2015).
  4.1    Indenture, dated as of October 19, 2015, by and among NN, Inc., the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee.
  4.2    Form of the NN, Inc. 10.25% Senior Notes due 2020 (included as Exhibit A to the Indenture filed herewith as Exhibit 4.1).
  4.3    Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 19, 2015, by and among NN, Inc., certain direct and indirect subsidiaries of NN, Inc., as additional subsidiary guarantors, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee.
10.1    Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 16, 2015, by and among NN, Inc., the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., acting on behalf of itself and as the representative of the several initial purchasers identified therein.
10.2    Joinder to the Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 19, 2015, by and among certain direct and indirect subsidiaries of NN, Inc., as additional parties to the Purchase Agreement filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1.
10.3    Credit Agreement, dated as of October 19, 2015, by and among NN, Inc., KeyBank National Association, as administrative agent, Regions Bank, a syndication agent and SunTrust Bank as documentation agent, and KeyBanc Capital Markets, Inc., SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. and Regions Capital Markets as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners.
10.4    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 19, 2015, by and among NN, Inc., the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc.
10.5    Registration Rights Agreement Joinder, dated as of October 19, 2015, by and among certain direct and indirect subsidiaries of NN, Inc., as additional parties to the Registration Rights Agreement filed herewith as Exhibit 10.4.
99.1    Press Release of NN, Inc., dated October 20, 2015.

 

* Schedules and exhibits are omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. NN, Inc. agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedules or exhibits to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

Exhibit 4.1

 

 

 

NN, INC.

AND EACH OF THE GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO

10.25% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2020

 

 

INDENTURE

Dated as of October 19, 2015

 

 

U.S. Bank National Association

Trustee

 

 

 

 

 


CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*

 

Trust Indenture

Act Section

   Indenture Section

310(a)(1)

   7.10

(a)(2)

   7.10

(a)(3)

   N.A.

(a)(4)

   N.A.

(a)(5)

   7.10

(b)

   7.03; 7.10

(c)

   N.A.

311(a)

   7.11

(b)

   7.11

(c)

   N.A.

312(a)

   2.05

(b)

   13.03

(c)

   13.03

313(a)

   7.06

(b)(2)

   7.06; 7.07

(c)

   7.06;13.02

(d)

   7.06

314(a)

   4.03; 4.04; 13.02; 13.05

(c)(1)

   13.04

(c)(2)

   13.04

(c)(3)

   N.A.

(e)

   13.05

(f)

   N.A.

315(a)

   7.01

(b)

   7.05; 13.02

(c)

   7.01

(d)

   6.05; 7.01

(e)

   6.11

316(a) (last sentence)

   2.09

(a)(1)(A)

   6.05

(a)(1)(B)

   6.04

(a)(2)

   N.A.

(b)

   6.07

(c)

   2.12; 9.03

317(a)(1)

   6.08

(a)(2)

   6.09

(b)

   2.04

318(a)

   13.01

(b)

   N.A.

(c)

   13.01

 

N.A. means not applicable.

 

* This Cross Reference Table is not part of this Indenture.


TABLE OF CONTENTS   
          Page  
ARTICLE 1   
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE   
Section 1.01    Definitions.      1   
Section 1.02    Other Definitions.      21   
Section 1.03    Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.      21   
Section 1.04    Rules of Construction.      22   
ARTICLE 2   

THE NOTES

  

Section 2.01    Form and Dating.      22   
Section 2.02    Execution and Authentication.      23   
Section 2.03    Registrar and Paying Agent.      23   
Section 2.04    Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.      24   
Section 2.05    Holder Lists.      24   
Section 2.06    Transfer and Exchange.      24   
Section 2.07    Replacement Notes.      34   
Section 2.08    Outstanding Notes.      34   
Section 2.09    Treasury Notes.      35   
Section 2.10    Temporary Notes.      35   
Section 2.11    Cancellation.      35   
Section 2.12    Defaulted Interest.      35   
Section 2.13    CUSIP Numbers.      35   
ARTICLE 3   
REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT   
Section 3.01    Notices to Trustee.      36   
Section 3.02    Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased.      36   
Section 3.03    Notice of Redemption.      36   
Section 3.04    Effect of Notice of Redemption.      37   
Section 3.05    Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price.      37   
Section 3.06    Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part.      38   
Section 3.07    Optional Redemption.      38   
Section 3.08    Mandatory Redemption.      39   
Section 3.09    Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds.      39   
ARTICLE 4   
COVENANTS   
Section 4.01    Payment of Notes.      40   
Section 4.02    Maintenance of Office or Agency.      41   
Section 4.03    Reports.      41   
Section 4.04    Compliance Certificate.      42   
Section 4.05    Taxes.      42   
Section 4.06    Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.      42   

 

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          Page  
Section 4.07    Restricted Payments.      43   
Section 4.08    Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.      46   
Section 4.09    Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.      48   
Section 4.10    Asset Sales.      51   
Section 4.11    Transactions with Affiliates.      53   
Section 4.12    Liens.      54   
Section 4.13    [Intentionally Omitted.]      54   
Section 4.14    Corporate Existence.      54   
Section 4.15    Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control.      54   
Section 4.16    [Intentionally Omitted.]      56   
Section 4.17    Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions.      56   
Section 4.18    [Intentionally Omitted.]      56   
Section 4.19    [Intentionally Omitted.]      56   
Section 4.20    Additional Note Guarantees.      56   
Section 4.21    Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries.      57   
ARTICLE 5   
SUCCESSORS   
Section 5.01    Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets.      57   
Section 5.02    Successor Corporation Substituted.      58   
ARTICLE 6   
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES   
Section 6.01    Events of Default.      59   
Section 6.02    Acceleration.      60   
Section 6.03    Other Remedies.      60   
Section 6.04    Waiver of Past Defaults.      61   
Section 6.05    Control by Majority.      61   
Section 6.06    Limitation on Suits.      61   
Section 6.07    Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment.      61   
Section 6.08    Collection Suit by Trustee.      62   
Section 6.09    Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.      62   
Section 6.10    Priorities.      62   
Section 6.11    Undertaking for Costs.      63   
ARTICLE 7   
TRUSTEE   
Section 7.01    Duties of Trustee.      63   
Section 7.02    Rights of Trustee.      64   
Section 7.03    Individual Rights of Trustee.      65   
Section 7.04    Trustee’s Disclaimer.      65   
Section 7.05    Notice of Defaults.      65   
Section 7.06    Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.      65   
Section 7.07    Compensation and Indemnity.      66   
Section 7.08    Replacement of Trustee.      66   
Section 7.09    Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.      67   
Section 7.10    Eligibility; Disqualification.      67   
Section 7.11    Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.      67   

 

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          Page  
ARTICLE 8   
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE   
Section 8.01    Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.      68   
Section 8.02    Legal Defeasance and Discharge.      68   
Section 8.03    Covenant Defeasance.      68   
Section 8.04    Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.      69   
Section 8.05    Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.      70   
Section 8.06    Repayment to Company.      70   
Section 8.07    Reinstatement.      70   
ARTICLE 9   
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER   
Section 9.01    Without Consent of Holders of Notes.      71   
Section 9.02    With Consent of Holders of Notes.      71   
Section 9.03    Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.      73   
Section 9.04    Revocation and Effect of Consents.      73   
Section 9.05    Notation on or Exchange of Notes.      73   
Section 9.06    Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.      73   
ARTICLE 10   
[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.]   
ARTICLE 11   
NOTE GUARANTEES   
Section 11.01    Guarantee.      74   
Section 11.02    [Intentionally Omitted.]      75   
Section 11.03    Limitation on Guarantor Liability.      75   
Section 11.04    Execution and Delivery of Note Guarantee.      75   
Section 11.05    Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms.      75   
Section 11.06    Releases.      76   
ARTICLE 12   
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE   
Section 12.01    Satisfaction and Discharge.      77   
Section 12.02    Application of Trust Money.      77   
ARTICLE 13   
MISCELLANEOUS   
Section 13.01    Trust Indenture Act Controls.      78   
Section 13.02    Notices.      78   
Section 13.03    Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.      79   
Section 13.04    Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.      79   
Section 13.05    Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.      80   

 

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          Page  
Section 13.06    Rules by Trustee and Agents.      80   
Section 13.07    No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees, Incorporators and Stockholders.      80   
Section 13.08    Governing Law.      80   
Section 13.09    No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.      80   
Section 13.10    Successors.      80   
Section 13.11    Severability.      81   
Section 13.12    Counterpart Originals.      81   
Section 13.13    Table of Contents, Headings, etc.      81   
Section 13.14    Waiver of Jury Trial.      81   
EXHIBITS   
Exhibit A    FORM OF NOTE      A-1   
Exhibit B    FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER      B-1   
Exhibit C    FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE      C-1   
Exhibit D    FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF ACQUIRING INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR      D-1   
Exhibit E    FORM OF NOTATION OF GUARANTEE      E-1   
Exhibit F    FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE      F-1   

 

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INDENTURE dated as of October 19, 2015 among NN, Inc., a Delaware corporation, the Guarantors (as defined) and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee.

The Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined) of the 10.25% Senior Notes due 2020 (the “ Notes ”):

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

Section 1.01 Definitions.

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

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

(1) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged with or into or became a Subsidiary of such specified Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into, or becoming a Subsidiary of, such specified Person; and

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

Additional Interest ” means all special interest then owing pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

A dditional Notes ” means additional Notes (other than the Initial Notes and other than issuances pursuant to Sections 2.06, 2.07, 2.10, 3.06, 3.09, 4.10, 4.15 or 9.05 hereof and other than Exchange Notes) issued under this Indenture in accordance with Sections 2.02 and 4.09 hereof, as part of the same series as the Initial Notes.

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

Agent ” means any Custodian, Registrar, co-registrar, Paying Agent or additional paying agent.

Applicable Premium ” means, with respect to a Note at any Redemption Date, the greater of (i) 1.0% of the outstanding principal amount of such Note and (ii) the excess of (A) the present value at such time of (1) the redemption price of such Note at November 1, 2017 (as set forth in the table in Section 3.07(d) hereof) plus (2) all required interest payments due on such Note through November 1, 2017 computed, in both cases, using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points, over (B) the outstanding principal amount of such Note.

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


Asset Sale ” means:

(1) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any assets or property; provided that the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be governed by the provisions of Sections 4.15 and 5.01 hereof and not by Section 4.10 hereof; or

(2) the issuance of Equity Interests in any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries or the sale of Equity Interests in any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than directors’ qualifying shares and shares required by applicable law to be held by a Person other than the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries).

Notwithstanding the preceding, none of the following items will be deemed to be an Asset Sale:

(1) any single transaction or series of related transactions that involve dispositions of assets or property having a Fair Market Value of less than $25.0 million;

(2) a transfer of assets or property between or among the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(3) an issuance of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(4) the sale or lease of inventory, products, services or accounts receivable in the ordinary course of business and any sale or other disposition of damaged, worn-out or obsolete assets in the ordinary course of business;

(5) the sale or other disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents;

(6) a Restricted Payment that does not violate Section 4.07 hereof or a Permitted Investment;

(7) the licensing or sublicensing of intellectual property or other general intangibles in the ordinary course of business;

(8) the granting of Liens not prohibited by this Indenture and the foreclosure thereon;

(9) any surrender or waiver of contract rights or the settlement release or surrender of contract, tort or other litigation claims in the ordinary course of business;

(10) any transfer constituting a taking, condemnation or other eminent domain proceeding for which no proceeds are received;

(11) the creation of Liens;

(12) the transfer of the Equity Interests or assets of Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

(13) foreclosures on assets to the extent they would not otherwise result in a Default or Event of Default;

(14) the lease or sublease of any real or personal property in the ordinary course of business;

(15) sales, contributions, conveyances and other transfers of Receivables in connection with any Qualified Receivables Transaction; and

 

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(16) the sale, transfer or other disposition of fixed assets in the ordinary course of business for the purpose of replacing such fixed assets; provided that any such fixed assets are replaced within one hundred eighty (180) days of such sale, transfer or other disposition with other fixed assets which have a Fair Market Value not materially less than the Fair Market Value of the fixed assets sold, transferred or otherwise disposed.

Attributable Debt ” in respect of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction means, at the time of determination, the present value of the obligation of the lessee for net rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale and Leaseback Transaction including any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended. Such present value shall be calculated using a discount rate equal to the rate of interest implicit in such transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP; provided , however, that if such Sale and Leaseback Transaction results in a Capital Lease Obligation, the amount of Indebtedness represented thereby will be determined in accordance with the definition of “Capital Lease Obligation.”

Bankruptcy Law ” means Title 11 of the U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

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

Board of Directors ” means:

(1) with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board;

(2) with respect to a partnership, the Board of Directors of the general partner of the partnership;

(3) with respect to a limited liability company, the managing member or members or any controlling committee of managing members thereof; and

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

Broker-Dealer ” means a broker or dealer registered under the Exchange Act.

Business Day ” means any day other than a Legal Holiday.

Capital Distribution ” means a payment made, liability incurred or other consideration given by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, for the purchase, acquisition, redemption, repurchase, payment, defeasance, cancellation, termination or retirement of any capital stock or other Equity Interest of the Company or such Subsidiary, as applicable, or as a dividend, return of capital or other distribution (other than any stock dividend, stock split or other equity distribution payable only in its common Capital Stock or other common Equity Interests) in respect of the Company’s or such Subsidiary’s (as the case may be) Capital Stock or other Equity Interest.

Capital Lease Obligation ” means, at the time any determination is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be prepaid by the lessee without payment of a penalty.

 

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Capital Stock ” means:

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

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

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

(4) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person, but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities convertible into Capital Stock, whether or not such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.

Cash Equivalents ” means:

(1) United States dollars;

(2) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality of the United States government ( provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support of those securities) having maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition;

(3) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof having one of the two highest ratings obtainable from Moody’s or S&P and, in each case, having maturities of not more than one year after the date of acquisition;

(4) certificates of deposit, money market deposits and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case, with any lender party to the Credit Agreement or with any domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $250.0 million and a Thomson Bank Watch Rating of “B” or better;

(5) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 30 days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2), (3) and (4) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (4) above;

(6) commercial paper having one of the two highest ratings obtainable from Moody’s or S&P and, in each case, maturing within one year after the date of acquisition;

(7) money market funds at least 90% of the assets of which constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (1) through (6) of this definition; and

(8) in the case of any Subsidiary organized or having its principal place of business outside the United States or any state of the United States or the District of Columbia, investments denominated in the currency of the jurisdiction in which that Subsidiary is organized or has its principal place of business which are similar to the items specified in clauses (1) through (7) above, including, without limitation, any deposit with a bank that is a lender to any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.

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

(1) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes the Beneficial Owner of 50% or more of the Company’s common Equity Interests;

 

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(2) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions), but other than by way of merger or consolidation, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) (other than a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) (whether or not otherwise in compliance with the provisions of this Indenture); or

(3) the approval by the holders of Capital Stock of the Company of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company (whether or not otherwise in compliance with the provisions of this Indenture).

Clearstream ” means Clearstream Banking, S.A.

Company ” means NN, Inc., and any and all successors thereto.

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

(1) provision for taxes based on income or profits of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such provision for taxes was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(2) the Fixed Charges of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such Fixed Charges were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(3) depreciation, amortization (including amortization of intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period) and other non-cash charges and expenses of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period to the extent that such depreciation, amortization and other non-cash charges and expenses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(4) foreign exchange losses resulting from converting foreign currency-based income to U.S. dollar-based income to the extent such amounts were deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus

(5) all costs and expenses arising from or related to Transactions, including, without limitation, the issuance of the Notes and the incurrence of the Credit Facilities, to the extent such costs and expenses were deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus

(6) to the extent non-recurring and not capitalized, any fees, costs and expenses of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries incurred as a result of Permitted Investments and Asset Sales permitted hereunder and the issuance, repayment or amendment of Equity Interests or Indebtedness permitted hereunder (in each case, whether or not consummated), to the extent such fees, costs and expenses were deduced in computing Consolidated Net Income; minus

(7) foreign exchange gains resulting from converting foreign currency-based income to U.S. dollar-based income to the extent such amounts were included in computing Consolidated Net Income; minus

(8) non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period, other than the accrual of revenue in the ordinary course of business,

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

 

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Consolidated Net Income ” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the aggregate of the net income (loss) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis (but excluding the net income (loss) of any Unrestricted Subsidiary of such Person), determined in accordance with GAAP and without any reduction for preferred stock dividends; provided that:

(1) all extraordinary gains and losses and all gains and losses realized in connection with any Asset Sale or the disposition of securities or the early extinguishment of Indebtedness, together with any related provision for taxes on any such gain, will be excluded, in each case net of taxes, fees and expenses relating to the transaction giving rise thereto;

(2) the net income of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting will be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or similar distributions paid in cash to the specified Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of the specified Person;

(3) solely for the purposes of determining the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (ii)(c) of Section 4.07(a) hereof, the net income of any Restricted Subsidiary will be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that net income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders;

(4) any gain or loss realized as a result of the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles will be excluded; and

(5) any non-cash compensation charge or expense realized for grant of stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options or other rights to officers, directors and employees will be excluded.

Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio ” as of any date of determination means the ratio of (1) Consolidated Total Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries that is secured by Liens as of the date of the most recent internal balance sheet of the Company immediately preceding the date on which such calculation is being made to (2) the Consolidated EBITDA of the Company for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available as of the date on which such calculation is being made, in each case with such pro forma adjustments to Consolidated Total Indebtedness and Consolidated EBITDA as are appropriate and consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.

Consolidated Total Net Debt Ratio ” as of any date of determination means the ratio of (1) Consolidated Total Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (net of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company calculated in accordance with GAAP) as of the date of the most recent internal balance sheet of the Company immediately preceding the date on which such calculation is being made to (2) the Consolidated EBITDA of the Company for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available as of the date on which such calculation is being made, in each case with such pro forma adjustments to Consolidated Total Indebtedness and Consolidated EBITDA as are appropriate and consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.

Consolidated Total Indebtedness ” means, as at any date of determination, an amount equal to the sum of the aggregate amount of all outstanding Indebtedness for borrowed money of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, Obligations in respect of Capital Lease Obligations, Attributable Debt and debt obligations evidenced by promissory notes and similar instruments.

continuing ” means, with respect to any Default or Event of Default, that such Default or Event of Default has not been cured or waived.

Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee ” will be at the address of the Trustee specified in Section 13.02 hereof, and for purposes of Sections 2.03 and 4.02, such office shall also mean the office or agency of the Trustee located at U.S. Bank National Association - Corporate Trust Services, 333 Commerce Street, Suite 800, Nashville, Tennessee 37201, or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Company.

 

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Credit Agreement ” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of the Issue Date, by and among the Company, the other loan parties party thereto, the lenders party thereto, KeyBank National Association, as administrative agent, including any related notes, Guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced (whether upon or after termination or otherwise) or refinanced (including by means of sales of debt securities to institutional investors) in whole or in part from time to time.

Credit Facilities ” means, one or more debt facilities (including, without limitation, the Credit Agreement), indentures, debt instruments, security documents and other related agreements or commercial paper facilities, in each case, with banks, other institutional lenders or other obligees providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables), letters of credit, debt securities or other Indebtedness in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced (whether upon or after termination or otherwise) or refinanced (including by means of sales of debt securities to institutional investors) in whole or in part, and without limitation as to amount, terms, conditions, covenants and other provisions, or lenders or holders, from time to time.

Custodian ” means the Trustee, as custodian with respect to the Notes in global form, or any successor entity thereto.

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

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

Depositary ” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.03 hereof as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture.

Designated Noncash Consideration ” means the Fair Market Value of non-cash consideration received by the Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale that is designated as Designated Noncash Consideration pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of cash or Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of such Designated Noncash Consideration that was treated as an Asset Sale.

Disqualified Stock ” means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case, at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the date on which the Notes mature. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders of the Capital Stock have the right to require the Company to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a Change of Control or an Asset Sale will not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 4.07 hereof. The amount of Disqualified Stock deemed to be outstanding at any time for purposes of this Indenture will be the maximum amount that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may become obligated to pay upon the maturity of, or pursuant to any mandatory redemption provisions of, such Disqualified Stock, exclusive of accrued dividends; provided , however , the amount of any Disqualified Stock that does not have a fixed redemption, repayment or repurchase price will be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Disqualified Stock as if such Disqualified Stock were redeemed, repaid or repurchased on any date on which the amount of such Disqualified Stock is to be determined pursuant to this Indenture; provided , further , that if such Disqualified Stock could not be required to be redeemed, repaid or repurchased at the time of such determination, the redemption, repayment or repurchase price will be the book value of such Disqualified Stock as reflected in the most recent financial statements of such Person.

 

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

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

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

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Exchange Notes ” means the Notes issued in the Exchange Offer pursuant to Section 2.06(f) hereof.

Exchange Offer ” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Exchange Offer Registration Statement ” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Fair Market Value ” means the value that would be paid by a willing buyer to an unaffiliated willing seller in a transaction not involving undue pressure or compulsion of either party to complete the transaction, determined in good faith by the Company; provided that transactions with a Fair Market Value in excess of $25.0 million shall be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, except as otherwise provided in this Indenture.

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio ” means with respect to any specified Person for any four-quarter reference period, the ratio of the Consolidated EBITDA of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period. In the event that the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, Guarantees, repays, repurchases, redeems, defeases or otherwise discharges any Indebtedness (other than ordinary working capital borrowings) or issues, repurchases or redeems preferred stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated and on or prior to the date on which the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “ Calculation Date ”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, Guarantee, repayment, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other discharge of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of preferred stock, and the use of the proceeds therefrom, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter reference period.

In addition, for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio:

(1) acquisitions that have been made by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including through mergers or consolidations, or any Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquired by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, and including any related financing transactions and including increases in ownership of Restricted Subsidiaries, during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the Calculation Date will be given pro forma effect thereto, including any related expenses and cost reductions estimated in good faith by such Person’s chief financial officer as if they had occurred on the first day of such period to extent that such expenses, cost reductions and other adjustments are (A) realizable within 12 months of such transaction, (B) directly attributable to such transaction, (C) factually supportable, (D) reasonably identifiable, (E) expected to have a continuing impact on such Person and its Subsidiaries and (F) consistent with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act;

(2) if since the beginning of the four-quarter reference period any Person (that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary of the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or was merged with or into the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries since the beginning of that period) has made any acquisitions and dispositions including through mergers or consolidations and including any related

 

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financing transactions that would have required adjustment pursuant to this definition, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto (as described in clause (1) above), including any related expense and cost reductions estimated in good faith by such Person’s chief financial officer as if they had occurred on the first day of such reference period to extent that such expenses, cost reductions and other adjustments are (A) realizable within 12 months of such transaction, (B) directly attributable to such transaction, (C) factually supportable, (D) reasonably identifiable, (E) expected to have a continuing impact on such Person and its Subsidiaries and (F) consistent with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act;

(3) the Consolidated EBITDA attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses (and ownership interests therein) disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded;

(4) the Fixed Charges attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses (and ownership interests therein) disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded, but only to the extent that the obligations giving rise to such Fixed Charges will not be obligations of the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries following the Calculation Date;

(5) any Person that is a Restricted Subsidiary on the Calculation Date will be deemed to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at all times during such four-quarter reference period;

(6) any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary on the Calculation Date will be deemed not to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at any time during such four-quarter reference period; and

(7) if any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest, the interest expense on such Indebtedness will be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligation applicable to such Indebtedness; provided that any Hedging Obligation has a remaining term as at the Calculation Date of less than 12 months shall be taken into account for the number of months remaining).

Fixed Charges ” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:

(1) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued, including, without limitation, amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings, and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to Hedging Obligations in respect of interest rates; plus

(2) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period; plus

(3) any interest on Indebtedness of another Person that is guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries, but only to the extent such Guarantee or Lien is called upon; plus

(4) the product of (a) all dividends, whether paid or accrued and whether or not in cash, on any series of preferred stock of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than dividends on Equity Interests payable solely in Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, times (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then current combined federal, state and local statutory tax rate of such Person, expressed as a decimal,

 

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

Fixed Charges will exclude (x) the amortization or write-off of debt issuance costs and deferred financing fees, commissions, fees and expenses, (y) any expensing of interim loan commitment and other financing fees and (z) non-cash interest on any convertible or exchangeable notes that exists by virtue of the bifurcation of the debt and equity components of convertible or exchangeable notes and the application FASB Staff Position APB 14-1 or any similar provision.

Foreign Subsidiary ” means (i) any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Domestic Subsidiary, (ii) any Restricted Subsidiary that has no material assets other than Capital Stock, securities or indebtedness of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries and (iii) a Subsidiary of an entity described in the preceding clauses (i) and (ii).

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect from time to time.

Global Note Legend ” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(2) hereof, which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.

Global Notes ” means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto and that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, issued in accordance with Section 2.01, 2.06(b)(3), 2.06(b)(4), 2.06(d)(2) or 2.06(f) hereof.

Government Securities ” means direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by (including in each case certificates representing an ownership interest in such obligations), the United States of America (including any agency or instrumentality thereof), and the full and timely payment for which the United States pledges its full faith and credit.

Guarantee ” means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take or pay or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise).

Guarantor ” means each Subsidiary of the Company that executes a Note Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, and their respective successors and assigns, in each case, until the Note Guarantee of such Person has been released in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

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

(1) interest rate swap agreements (whether from fixed to floating or from floating to fixed), interest rate floor or cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements;

(2) other agreements or arrangements designed to manage interest rates or interest rate risk; and

(3) other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in currency exchange rates or commodity prices.

Holder ” means a Person in whose name a Note is registered.

 

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

Immaterial Subsidiary ” means as of any date, any Restricted Subsidiary whose total assets, as of that date, are less than $250,000 and whose total revenues for the most recent 12-month period do not exceed $250,000; provided that a Restricted Subsidiary will not be considered to be an Immaterial Subsidiary if it, directly or indirectly, guarantees or otherwise provides direct credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company.

Indebtedness ” means, with respect to any specified Person, any indebtedness of such Person (excluding accrued expenses and trade payables), whether or not contingent:

(1) in respect of borrowed money;

(2) representing Capital Lease Obligations or Attributable Debt in respect of Sale and Leaseback Transactions;

(3) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof) or in respect of banker’s acceptances (other than obligations with respect to letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances securing obligations (other than obligations described in (1) or (2) above) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person to the extent such letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than the third business day following receipt by such Person of a demand for reimbursement following payment on the letter of credit or bankers’ acceptances);

(4) representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property or services due more than six months after such property is acquired or such services are completed, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable; or

(5) representing any Hedging Obligations,

if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than letters of credit, Attributable Debt and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the term “Indebtedness” includes all Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person) and, to the extent not otherwise included, the Guarantee by the specified Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person.

For the avoidance of doubt, “Indebtedness” will not include:

(a) current trade payables or other accrued liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business and payable in accordance with customary practices;

(b) deferred tax obligations;

(c) minority interest;

(d) non-interest bearing installment obligations and accrued liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(e) obligations of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to contracts for, or options, puts or similar arrangements relating to, the purchase of raw materials or the sale of inventory at a time in the future entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(f) any endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business;

(g) stand-by letters of credit to the extent collateralized by cash or Cash Equivalents; and

(h) Indebtedness that has been defeased or satisfied and discharged in accordance with the terms of the documents governing such Indebtedness.

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

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

Initial Notes ” means the first $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture on the Issue Date.

Initial Purchasers ” means SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. and Regions Securities LLC.

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

Investments ” means, with respect to any Person, all direct or indirect investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of loans (including Guarantees or other obligations), advances or capital contributions (excluding commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP. If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary of the Company such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Subsidiary of the Company, the Company will be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the Fair Market Value of the Company’s Investments in such Subsidiary that were not sold or disposed of in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of Section 4.07 hereof. The acquisition by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of a Person that holds an Investment in a third Person will be deemed to be an Investment by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in such third Person in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the Investments held by the acquired Person in such third Person in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of Section 4.07 hereof. Except as otherwise provided in this Indenture, the amount of an Investment will be determined at the time the Investment is made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value.

Issue Date ” means October 19, 2015.

Legal Holiday ” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York or at a place of payment are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the intervening period.

Letter of Transmittal ” means the letter of transmittal to be prepared by the Company and sent to all Holders of the Notes for use by such Holders in connection with the Exchange Offer.

Lien ” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction.

 

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

Net Proceeds ” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale and any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment, earn-out or otherwise, but only as and when received), net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, legal, title, accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions, and any relocation expenses incurred as a result of the Asset Sale, taxes paid or payable as a result of the Asset Sale, in each case, after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements, any reserve for adjustment in respect of the sale price of such asset or assets established in accordance with GAAP, any distribution and other payments required to be made to minority stockholders in Restricted Subsidiaries as a result of such Asset Sale and payments of unassumed liabilities (not constituting Indebtedness) relating to the assets sold at the time of, or within 30 days after, the date of such Asset Sale.

Non-Recourse Debt ” means Indebtedness:

(1) as to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness), (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise, or (c) constitutes the lender;

(2) no default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders of the Indebtedness may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit upon notice, lapse of time or both any holder of any other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment of the Indebtedness to be accelerated or payable prior to its Stated Maturity; and

(3) as to which the lenders have been notified in writing (which may be by the terms of the instrument evidencing such Indebtedness) that they will not have any recourse to the stock (other than the stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary pledged by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

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

Note Guarantee ” means the Guarantee by each Guarantor of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes, executed pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture.

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

Obligations ” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

Offering Memorandum ” means the Company’s offering memorandum, dated October 16, 2015 relating to the offering of the Initial Notes.

Officer ” means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary or any Vice-President of such Person.

Officer’s Certificate ” means a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by an Officer of the Company that is the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of the Company, that meets the requirements of Section 13.05 hereof.

 

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Opinion of Counsel ” means an opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee that meets the requirements of Section 13.05 hereof. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company.

Participant ” means, with respect to the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, a Person who has an account with the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, respectively (and, with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream).

PEP ” means Precision Engineered Products Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

PEP Acquisition ” means the acquisition of all of the Capital Stock of PEP pursuant to the PEP Acquisition Agreement.

PEP Acquisition Agreement ” means the Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of August 17, 2015 among the Company, PEP Industries, LLC and PEP.

Permitted Acquisition Debt ” means Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent such Indebtedness was Indebtedness of a Person that was merged or amalgamated into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary prior to the date of such merger of amalgamation; provided that on the date such Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary or the date such Person was merged and amalgamated into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, after giving pro forma effect thereto, the pro forma Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company would either be (x) at least 2.0 to 1.0 or (y) greater than the actual Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company immediately prior to such transaction; provided that Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (y) shall not exceed $50.0 million at any one time outstanding, excluding for the avoidance of doubt, the PEP Acquisition.

Permitted Business ” means the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as existing on the Issue Date and any other businesses that are the same, similar or reasonably related, ancillary or complementary thereto and reasonable extensions thereof.

Permitted Investments ” means:

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

(2) any Investment in cash or Cash Equivalents;

(3) any Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in a Person, if as a result of such Investment:

(a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; or

(b) such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, including, for the avoidance of doubt, the PEP Acquisition;

(4) any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from an Asset Sale (or sales or other dispositions of assets not constituting an Asset Sale) that was made pursuant to and in compliance with Section 4.10 hereof;

(5) any acquisition of assets or Capital Stock solely in exchange for or using the net cash proceeds from the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company;

(6) any Investments received (i) in compromise or resolution of (A) obligations of trade creditors or customers that were incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the

 

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bankruptcy or insolvency of any trade creditor or customer; or (B) litigation, arbitration or other disputes with Persons who are not Affiliates or (ii) upon foreclosure or enforcement of any Lien in favor of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(7) Investments represented by Hedging Obligations;

(8) loans or advances (or guarantees of loans or advances) to officers, directors or employees made in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(9) non-cash Investments made in any Foreign Subsidiary consisting of obligations of such Foreign Subsidiary to pay Capital Distributions to the Company or any Guarantor that have been declared but the payment of which has been deferred;

(10) Guarantees that are not prohibited by Section 4.09 hereof;

(11) extensions of trade credit or receivables owing to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and loans, advances or other extensions of trade credit to customers and suppliers created or acquired in the ordinary course of business, and Investments received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors to the extent reasonably necessary in order to prevent or limit loss;

(12) Investments consisting of prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection and lease, utility and workers’ compensation, performance and other similar deposits made in the ordinary course of business by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(13) Investments in joint ventures engaged in Permitted Businesses in an amount not to exceed $10.0 million when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (13) that are at the time outstanding;

(14) repurchases of the Notes;

(15) Investments consisting of non-cash consideration received in the form of securities, notes or similar obligations in connection with dispositions of obsolete assets or assets damaged in the ordinary course of business and permitted pursuant to this Indenture;

(16) Investments existing on the Issue Date and any extensions thereof on terms no less favorable and in amounts no greater than exist on the Issue Date;

(17) Investments the payment for which consists solely of Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or net cash proceeds of a substantially concurrent sale of Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock); and

(18) other Investments having an aggregate Fair Market Value (measured on the date each such Investment is made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (18) that are at the time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of $50.0 million and 2.5% of Total Assets as of the date of any such Investment.

Permitted Liens ” means:

(1) Liens on assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries securing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause (1) of the definition of Permitted Debt;

(2) Liens in favor of the Company or the Guarantors, including Liens securing Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary owed to and held by the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary;

 

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(3) Liens on property or shares of stock of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such merger or consolidation and do not extend to any assets or shares of stock other than those of the Person merged into or consolidated with the Company or the Subsidiary;

(4) Liens on property (including Capital Stock) existing at the time of acquisition of the property by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to, such acquisition, and not incurred in contemplation of, such acquisition;

(5) Liens to secure the performance of statutory obligations, surety or appeal bonds, performance bonds or other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(6) Liens to secure Indebtedness (including Capital Lease Obligations) permitted by Section 4.09(b)(4) hereof covering only the assets acquired with or financed by such Indebtedness;

(7) Liens existing on the Issue Date (other than Liens securing Indebtedness outstanding under clause (1) of the definition of Permitted Debt);

(8) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently concluded; provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision as is required in conformity with GAAP has been made therefor;

(9) Liens imposed by law, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s, landlord’s and mechanics’ Liens, in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(10) survey exceptions, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real property that were not incurred in connection with Indebtedness and that do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;

(11) Liens created for the benefit of or to secure the Notes or the Note Guarantees;

(12) Liens to secure any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under this Indenture; provided , however , that:

(a) the new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property and assets that secured or, under the written agreements pursuant to which the original Lien arose, could secure the original Lien (plus improvements and accessions to, such property or proceeds or distributions thereof); and

(b) the Indebtedness secured by the new Lien is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (x) the outstanding principal amount, or, if greater, committed amount, of the Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness and (y) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such renewal, refunding, refinancing, replacement, defeasance or discharge;

(13) Liens securing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause (12) of the definition of Permitted Debt; provided that the Liens incurred pursuant to this clause (13) extend only to assets of Foreign Subsidiaries;

(14) Liens securing Hedging Obligations;

 

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(15) judgment Liens not resulting in an Event of Default;

(16) Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s obligations with 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;

(17) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods in the ordinary course of business;

(18) other Liens on assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries securing Indebtedness or other obligations that, taken together with all other Liens outstanding pursuant to this clause (18), do not exceed $25.0 million at any one time outstanding;

(19) Liens on Receivables incurred in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction; and

(20) Liens on assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries securing Indebtedness; provided that at the time of incurrence and after giving pro forma effect thereto, the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio would be no greater than 3.0 to 1.0.

Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness ” means any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness); provided that:

(1) 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 renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged (plus all accrued interest on the Indebtedness and the amount of all fees and expenses, including premiums, incurred in connection therewith);

(2) such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged;

(3) if the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of, and is subordinated in right of payment to, the Notes on terms at least as favorable to the Holders of Notes as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged; and

(4) such Indebtedness is incurred either by the Company or by the Restricted Subsidiary who is the obligor on the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged.

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

Private Placement Legend ” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(1) hereof to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.

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

“Qualified Receivables Transaction” means any transaction or series of transactions that may be entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in which the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary may sell, contribute, convey or otherwise transfer to, or grant a security interest in for the benefit of, any other Person (other

 

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than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof), any Receivables (whether now existing or arising in the future) of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, and any related assets, including, without limitation, all collateral securing such Receivables, all contracts and all guarantees or other obligations in respect of such Receivables, proceeds of such Receivables and other assets (including contract rights) which are customarily transferred or in respect of which security interests are customarily granted in connection with asset securitization transactions involving Receivables; provided that all such Qualified Receivables Transactions shall be made at Fair Market Value (including after giving effect to any Receivables Fees); provided further that all such Qualified Receivables Transactions shall not (a) be Guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (excluding Guarantees of obligations (other than the principal of, and interest on, Indebtedness) pursuant to representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities and performance Guarantees that are reasonably customary in an accounts receivables financings), (b) be recourse to or obligate the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any way other than pursuant to representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities and performance Guarantees that are reasonably customary in accounts receivables financings, or (c) subject any property or asset of the Company or of any Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to the satisfaction thereof, other than pursuant to representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities and performance Guarantees reasonably customary in accounts receivables financings and other than any interest in the Receivables (whether in the form of an equity interest in such Receivables payable primarily from such Receivables) retained or acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiaries.

Receivable ” means any Indebtedness and other payment obligations owed to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, whether constituting an account, chattel paper, payment intangible, instrument or general intangible, in each case arising in connection with (a) the sale of goods or the rendering of service or (b) the lease, license, rental or use of equipment, facilities or software, including the obligation to pay any finance charges, fees and other charges with respect thereto.

Receivables Fees ” means distributions or payments made directly or by means of discounts with respect to any participation interest issued or sold in connection with, and other fees and expenses (including reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel) paid to a Person (other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof) in connection with, any Qualified Receivables Transaction.

Registration Rights Agreement ” means the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the Issue Date, among the Company, the Guarantors and the other parties named on the signature pages thereof, as such agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time and, with respect to any Additional Notes, one or more registration rights agreements among the Company, the Guarantors and the other parties thereto, as such agreement(s) may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, relating to rights given by the Company to the purchasers of Additional Notes to register such Additional Notes, or participate in an Exchange Offer for such Additional Notes, under the Securities Act.

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

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

Responsible Officer, ” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the Corporate Trust Services group of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) who at the time shall be such corporate trust officers who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture at the Corporate Trust Office, or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

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

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

 

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

Restricted Period ” means the 40-day distribution compliance period as set forth in Regulation S.

Restricted Subsidiary ” of a Person means any Subsidiary of the referent Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

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

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

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

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

S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group and any successor to its rating agency business.

Sale and Leaseback Transaction ” means any direct or indirect arrangement pursuant to which property is sold or transferred by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and is thereafter leased back by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary.

SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Senior Debt ” means:

(1) all Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor outstanding under Credit Facilities, and all Hedging Obligations and all banking service, treasury management and other similar Obligations with respect thereto;

(2) any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor permitted to be incurred under the terms of this Indenture, unless the instrument under which such Indebtedness is incurred expressly provides that it is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or any Note Guarantee; and

(3) all Obligations with respect to the items listed in the preceding clauses (1) and (2) (including any interest accruing subsequent to the filing of a petition of bankruptcy at the rate provided for in the documentation with respect thereto, whether or not such interest is an allowed claim under applicable law).

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding, Senior Debt will not include:

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

(2) any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or other Affiliates;

(3) any trade payables; or

(4) the portion of any Indebtedness that is incurred in violation of this Indenture.

Shelf Registration Statement ” means the Shelf Registration Statement as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

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Significant Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Regulation is in effect on the Issue Date.

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

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any specified Person:

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

(2) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof).

TIA ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb), as in effect on the date on which this Indenture is qualified under the TIA.

Total Assets ” means, the total assets of the Company, and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, as shown on the most recent internal balance sheet of the Company.

Transactions ” means (i) the PEP Acquisition, (ii) the offering of the Initial Notes, (iii) the repayment or redemption of certain Indebtedness of the Company and PEP and (iv) the entry into the Credit Agreement.

Treasury Rate ” means the yield to maturity at the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) which has become publicly available at least two business days prior to the Redemption Date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the Redemption Date to November 1, 2017; provided , however , that if the period from the Redemption Date to November 1, 2017 is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which a weekly average yield is given, the Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are given, except that if the period from the Redemption Date to November 1, 2017 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.

Trustee ” means U.S. Bank National Association, until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.

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

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

Unrestricted Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Company that is designated by the Board of Directors of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary:

(1) has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt;

 

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(2) is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation (a) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (b) to maintain or preserve such Person’s financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results; and

(3) has not guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

Any Subsidiary of a Subsidiary of the Company designated by the Board of Directors of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall also be an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

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

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

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

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

 

Section 1.02 Other Definitions.

 

Term

   Defined in
Section
 

“Acceptable Commitment”

     4.10   

“Affiliate Transaction”

     4.11   

“Asset Sale Offer”

     3.09   

“Authentication Order”

     2.02   

“Change of Control Offer”

     4.15   

“Change of Control Payment”

     4.15   

“Change of Control Payment Date”

     4.15   

“Covenant Defeasance”

     8.03   

“DTC”

     2.03   

“Event of Default”

     6.01   

“Excess Proceeds”

     4.10   

“incur”

     4.09   

“Legal Defeasance”

     8.02   

“Offer Amount”

     3.09   

“Offer Period”

     3.09   

“Paying Agent”

     2.03   

“Permitted Debt”

     4.09   

“Payment Default”

     6.01   

“Purchase Date”

     3.09   

“Redemption Date”

     3.07   

“Registrar”

     2.03   

“Restricted Payments”

     4.07   

 

Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

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

 

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

Commission ” means the SEC;

indenture securities ” means the Notes and Note Guarantees;

i ndenture security Holder ” means a Holder;

indenture to be qualified ” means this Indenture;

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

obligor ” on the Notes and the Note Guarantees means the Company and the Guarantors, respectively, and any successor obligor upon the Notes and the Note Guarantees, respectively.

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

 

Section 1.04 Rules of Construction.

Unless the context otherwise requires:

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

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

(3) “or” is not exclusive;

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

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

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

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

ARTICLE 2

THE NOTES

 

Section 2.01 Form and Dating.

(a) General . The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. Each Note will be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

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

 

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(b) Global Notes . Notes issued in global form will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Notes issued in definitive form will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Each Global Note will represent such of the outstanding Notes as will be specified therein and each shall provide that it represents the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby will be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06 hereof.

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

 

Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication.

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

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

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

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

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

 

Section 2.03 Registrar and Paying Agent.

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

The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.

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

 

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Section 2.04 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

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

 

Section 2.05 Holder Lists.

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

 

Section 2.06 Transfer and Exchange.

(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes . A Global Note may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. All Global Notes will be exchanged by the Company for Definitive Notes if:

(1) the Company delivers to the Trustee notice from the Depositary that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as Depositary or that it is no longer a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 120 days after the date of such notice from the Depositary;

(2) the Company in its sole discretion determines that the Global Notes (in whole but not in part) should be exchanged for Definitive Notes and delivers a written notice to such effect to the Trustee; or

(3) there has occurred and is continuing a Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes and DTC requests certificated Notes.

Upon the occurrence of any of the preceding events in (1), (2) or (3) above, Definitive Notes shall be issued in such names as the Depositary shall instruct the Trustee. Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.10 hereof. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Section 2.07 or 2.10 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a), however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b), (c) or (f) hereof.

(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes . The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes will be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also will require compliance with either subparagraph (1) or (2) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:

 

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(1) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note . Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend; provided , however , that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Note may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.06(b)(1).

(2) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes . In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.06(b)(1) hereof, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either:

(A) both:

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

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

(B) both:

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

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

Upon consummation of an Exchange Offer by the Company in accordance with Section 2.06(f) hereof, the requirements of this Section 2.06(b)(2) shall be deemed to have been satisfied upon receipt by the Registrar of the instructions contained in the Letter of Transmittal delivered by the Holder of such beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof.

(3) Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note . A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(2) hereof and the Registrar receives the following:

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

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

 

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(C) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the IAI Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.

(4) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note . A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(2) hereof and:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the holder of the beneficial interest to be transferred, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (i) a Broker-Dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(1) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

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

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the holder of such beneficial interest, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (i) a Broker-Dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

 

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(C) such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

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

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

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

(3) Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note, then, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(2) hereof, the Trustee will cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(3) will be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest requests through instructions to the Registrar from or through the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee will deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(3) will not bear the Private Placement Legend.

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

the Trustee will cancel the Restricted Definitive Note, increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of clause (A) above, the appropriate Restricted Global Note, in the case of clause (B) above, the 144A Global Note, in the case of clause (C) above, the Regulation S Global Note, and in all other cases, the IAI Global Note.

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

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (i) a Broker-Dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

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

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

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

Upon satisfaction of the conditions of any of the subparagraphs in this Section 2.06(d)(2), the Trustee will cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.

 

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

If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to subparagraphs (2)(B), (2)(D) or (3) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee will authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Definitive Notes so transferred.

(e) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.06(e), the Registrar will register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder must present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder must provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.06(e).

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

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

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

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

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

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (i) a Broker-Dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

(B) any such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) any such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

 

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(D) the Registrar receives the following:

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

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

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

(3) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes . A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.

(f) Exchange Offer. Upon the occurrence of the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee will authenticate:

(1) one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal that (A) they are not Broker-Dealers, (B) they are not participating in a distribution of the Exchange Notes and (C) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company; and

(2) Unrestricted Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Restricted Definitive Notes accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal that (A) they are not Broker-Dealers, (B) they are not participating in a distribution of the Exchange Notes and (C) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company.

Concurrently with the issuance of such Notes, the Trustee will cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Restricted Global Notes to be reduced accordingly, and the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver to the Persons designated by the Holders of Definitive Notes so accepted Unrestricted Definitive Notes in the appropriate principal amount.

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

(1) Private Placement Legend .

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

“THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THIS NOTE MAY

 

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NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF THIS NOTE MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.

THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ISSUER THAT (A) THIS NOTE MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (I) TO THE ISSUER, (II) IN THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (III) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a) (1), (2), (3), (7) AND (8) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR ACQUIRING THE NOTE FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR,” IN EACH CASE IN A MINIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF $250,000, (IV) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (V) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE) OR (VI) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (VI) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE.”

(B) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraphs (b)(4), (c)(2), (c)(3), (d)(2), (d)(3), (e)(2), (e)(3) or (f) of this Section 2.06 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) will not bear the Private Placement Legend.

(2) Global Note Legend . Each Global Note will bear a legend in substantially the following form:

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

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH

 

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SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”

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

(i) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges .

(1) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof or at the Registrar’s request.

(2) No service charge will be made to a Holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.10, 3.06, 3.09, 4.10, 4.15 and 9.05 hereof).

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

(9) Neither the Trustee nor the Registrar shall have any duty to monitor the Company’s compliance with or have any responsibility with respect to the Company’s compliance with any federal or state securities laws in connection with registrations of transfers and exchanges of the Notes. The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Notes (including any transfers between or among the Depositary’s participants or beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation, as is expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

 

Section 2.07 Replacement Notes.

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

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

 

Section 2.08 Outstanding Notes.

The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section 2.08 as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.09 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note; however, Notes held by the Company, a Subsidiary of the Company shall not be deemed to be outstanding for purposes of Section 3.07(a) hereof.

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser.

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

 

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

 

Section 2.09 Treasury Notes.

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Company or any Guarantor, or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any Guarantor, will be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee will be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that the Trustee knows are so owned will be so disregarded.

 

Section 2.10 Temporary Notes.

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

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

 

Section 2.11 Cancellation.

The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent will forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else will cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and cancelled Notes will be retained and disposed of by the Trustee in accordance with its customary procedures and applicable law (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act). Certification of the cancellation of all canceled Notes will be delivered to the Company upon request. The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

Section 2.12 Defaulted Interest.

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

 

Section 2.13 CUSIP Numbers.

The Company in issuing the Notes may use CUSIP, ISIN or other similar numbers, if then generally in use, and the Trustee may use such numbers in any notice (including any notice of redemption or exchange), which may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice (including any notice of redemption or exchange) and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such notice or notice of redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP, ISIN or other similar numbers.

 

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ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

 

Section 3.01 Notices to Trustee.

If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.07 hereof, it must furnish to the Trustee, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a Redemption Date, an Officer’s Certificate setting forth:

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

(2) the Redemption Date;

(3) the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed; and

(4) the redemption price (or manner of calculation if not then known).

If the redemption price is not known at the time such notice is to be given, the actual redemption price, calculated as described in the terms of the Notes, will be set forth in an Officer’s Certificate of the Company delivered to the Trustee no later than two Business Days prior to the Redemption Date.

 

Section 3.02 Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased.

If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee will select Notes for redemption on a pro rata basis except:

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

(2) if otherwise required by law or to comply with the rules of the Depositary.

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

The Trustee will promptly notify the Company in writing of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. No Notes of $2,000 or less can be redeemed in part, and the unredeemed portion of the Notes of any Holder must be equal to $2,000 in principal amount or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder, even if not a multiple of $1,000, shall be redeemed.

The provisions in this Section 3.02 and Sections 3.03 and 3.04 hereof relating to a redemption of the Notes will also be applicable to a repurchase of the Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer or a Change of Control Offer, except as otherwise provided in this Indenture.

 

Section 3.03 Notice of Redemption.

Subject to the provisions of Section 3.09 hereof, notices of redemption will be delivered at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at its registered address or otherwise delivered in accordance with the procedures of DTC, except that redemption notices may be delivered more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Articles 8 or 12. Notes called for redemption become due on the Redemption Date, provided that notices of redemption may be conditioned on one or more conditions precedent,

 

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such as the closing of a Change of Control or a financing transaction. The Company will provide prompt written notice to the Trustee rescinding such redemption in the event that any such condition precedent shall not have occurred, and thereafter such redemption and notice of redemption shall be rescinded and of no force or effect. Upon receipt of such notice from the Company rescinding such redemption, the Trustee will promptly send a copy of such notice to the Holders of the Notes to be redeemed in the same manner in which the notice of redemption was given.

The notice will identify the Notes to be redeemed and will state:

(1) the Redemption Date;

(2) the redemption price (or manner of calculation if not then known);

(3) if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the Redemption Date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion will be issued upon cancellation of the original Note or, if the Note is a Global Note, an adjustment will be made to the schedule attached thereto;

(4) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

(5) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

(6) that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date;

(7) the paragraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed;

(8) any conditions precedent to such redemption; and

(9) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP, ISIN or similar number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes.

At the Company’s request, the Trustee will give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense; provided , however , that the Company has delivered to the Trustee, at least 45 days prior to the Redemption Date (or such shorter time as may be acceptable to the Trustee), an Officer’s Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.

Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption or purchase also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase. On and after the Redemption Date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption.

 

Section 3.04 Effect of Notice of Redemption.

Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, and any conditions precedent stated in such notice have been satisfied, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price.

 

Section 3.05 Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price.

One Business Day prior to the redemption or purchase date, the Company will deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money of money, in immediately available funds, sufficient to pay the redemption or purchase price of and accrued interest and Additional Interest, if any, on all Notes to be redeemed or purchased on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent will promptly return to the Company any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption or purchase price of, and accrued interest and Additional Interest, if any, on, all Notes to be redeemed or purchased.

 

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

 

Section 3.06 Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part.

Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed or purchased in part, the Company will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, the Trustee will authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Company a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered, or if the Note is a Global Note, an adjustment will be made to the Schedule of Exchange of Interests on such Global Note.

 

Section 3.07 Optional Redemption.

(a) On or prior to November 1, 2017, the Company on any one or more occasions may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture (including any Additional Notes issued after the Issue Date) at a redemption price of 110.250% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the Redemption Date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more sales of common Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company; provided that:

(1) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture (including any Additional Notes issued after the Issue Date but excluding Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption; and

(2) the redemption occurs within 90 days of the date of the closing of such sale of Equity Interests.

(b) Prior to November 1, 2017, the Company on any one or more occasions may redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to, the date of redemption (the “ Redemption Date ”).

(c) Except pursuant to Sections 3.07(a) and 3.07(b) hereof, the Notes will not be redeemable at the Company’s option prior to November 1, 2017.

(d) On or after November 1, 2017, the Company on any one or more occasions may redeem, all or a part of the Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed to the applicable Redemption Date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on November 1 of the years indicated below, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2017

     107.688

2018

     103.844

2019 and thereafter

     100.000

 

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Unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on the applicable Redemption Date.

(e) This Indenture will not prohibit the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries from purchasing Notes in the open market or otherwise at any time or from time to time.

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

 

Section 3.08 Mandatory Redemption.

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

 

Section 3.09 Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds.

In the event that, pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof, the Company is required to commence an offer to all Holders to purchase Notes (an “ Asset Sale Offer ”), it will follow the procedures specified below.

The Asset Sale Offer shall be made to all Holders and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in this Indenture with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets. The Asset Sale Offer will remain open for a period of at least 20 Business Days following its commencement and not more than 30 Business Days, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the “ Offer Period ”). No later than five Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the “ Purchase Date ”), the Company will apply all Excess Proceeds (the “ Offer Amount ”) to the purchase of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness (on a pro rata basis, if applicable) or, if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes and other Indebtedness tendered in response to the Asset Sale Offer. Payment for any Notes so purchased will be made in the same manner as interest payments are made.

If the Purchase Date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, will be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such record date, and no additional interest will be payable to Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer.

Upon the commencement of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company will deliver a notice to the Trustee and each of the Holders, with a copy to the Trustee. The notice will contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer. The notice, which will govern the terms of the Asset Sale Offer, will state:

(1) that the Asset Sale Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 3.09 and Section 4.10 hereof and the length of time the Asset Sale Offer will remain open;

(2) the Offer Amount, the purchase price and the Purchase Date;

(3) that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment will continue to accrue interest;

(4) that, unless the Company defaults in making such payment, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer will cease to accrue interest after the Purchase Date;

(5) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer may elect to have Notes purchased in integral multiples of $1,000 only, provided that the unpurchased portion of the Notes of any Holder must be equal to $2,000 in principal amount or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof;

 

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(6) that Holders electing to have Notes purchased pursuant to any Asset Sale Offer will be required to surrender the Note, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Company, a depositary, if appointed by the Company, or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least three days before the Purchase Date;

(7) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Company, a depositary, if appointed by the Company, or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the expiration of the Offer Period, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased;

(8) that, if the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness surrendered by holders thereof exceeds the Offer Amount, the Company will select the Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis based on the principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness surrendered (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Company so that only Notes in denominations of $2,000, or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, will be purchased); and

(9) that Holders whose Notes were purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer).

On or before the Purchase Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful, accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary, the Offer Amount of Notes or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered, and will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate stating that such Notes or portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Company in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.09. The Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, will promptly (but in any case not later than five days after the Purchase Date) mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Notes tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Company for purchase, and the Company will promptly issue a new Note, and the Trustee, upon written request from the Company, will authenticate and mail or deliver (or cause to be transferred by book entry) such new Note to such Holder, in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered. Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Company to the Holder thereof. The Company will publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on the Purchase Date.

Other than as specifically provided in this Section 3.09, any purchase pursuant to this Section 3.09 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.

ARTICLE 4

COVENANTS

 

Section 4.01 Payment of Notes.

The Company will pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest and Additional Interest, if any, on, the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in this Indenture and the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and interest and Additional Interest, if any will be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the due date money deposited by the Company in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due. The Company will pay all Additional Interest, if any, in the same manner on the dates and in the amounts set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

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The Company will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Additional Interest (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful.

The Company will be responsible for making calculations called for under the Notes, including but not limited to determination of redemption price, premium, if any, and any additional amounts or other amounts payable on the Notes. The Company will make the calculations in good faith. The Company will provide a schedule of its calculations to the Trustee when requested by the Trustee, and the Trustee is entitled to rely conclusively on the accuracy of the Company’s calculations without independent verification. If Additional Interest is payable on the Notes, the Company shall provide an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee on or before the record date for each interest payment date such Additional Interest is payable setting forth the amount of such Additional Interest in reasonable detail. The Trustee may provide a copy of such Officer’s Certificate or other notice received from the Company relating to Additional Interest to any Holder upon request.

 

Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency.

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

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

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

 

Section   4.03 Reports.

(a) Whether or not required by the rules and regulations of the SEC, so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Company will electronically file, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations (after giving effect to any grace period provided by Rule 12b-25 under the Exchange Act):

(1) all quarterly and annual reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Company were required to file reports; and

(2) all current reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Form 8-K if the Company were required to file such reports.

All such reports will be prepared in all material respects in accordance with all of the rules and regulations applicable to such reports. Each annual report on Form 10-K will include a report on the Company’s consolidated financial statements by its certified independent accountants. The Company will electronically file a copy of each of the reports referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above with the SEC for public availability within the time periods specified in the rules and regulations applicable to such reports (unless the SEC will not accept such a filing) and will post the reports on its website within those time periods.

If the Company has designated any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries, then the quarterly and annual financial information required by the preceding paragraph shall include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, and in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Company.

 

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If the SEC will not accept the Company’s filings for any reason, the Company will post the reports referred to in the preceding paragraph on its website within the time periods that would apply if the Company were required to file those reports with the SEC or post on its website (after giving effect to any grace period provided by Rule 12b-25 under the Exchange Act). The Company will not take any action for the purpose of causing the SEC not to accept any such filing.

(b) For so long as any Notes remain outstanding, if at any time the Company and the Guarantors are not required to file with the SEC or post on its website the reports required by Section 4.03(a) hereof, the Company and the Guarantors will furnish to the Holders and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

(c) Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee hereunder is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates or certificates delivered pursuant to Section 4.04 hereof).

 

Section 4.04 Compliance Certificate.

(a) The Company and each Guarantor (to the extent that such Guarantor is so required under the TIA) shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officer’s Certificate stating that that, in the course of the performance of his or her duties as an Officer of the Company, he or she would normally have knowledge of any Default by the Company in the performance of any of its obligations contained in this Indenture, a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officer with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating that to the best of his or her knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default has occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Notes is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event. The Treasurer of the Company may not be the signing Officer for such an Officer’s Certificate.

(b) So long as any of the Notes are outstanding, the Company will deliver to the Trustee, within fifteen (15) days of becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default that has occurred and is continuing, a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default.

 

Section 4.05 Taxes.

The Company will pay, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.

 

Section 4.06 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.

Each of the Company and the Guarantors covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company and each of the Guarantors (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

 

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Section 4.07 Restricted Payments.

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

(1) declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests (including, without limitation, any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) or to the direct or indirect holders of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests in their capacity as such (other than dividends or distributions payable in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company and other than dividends or distributions payable to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company);

(2) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including, without limitation, in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company) any Equity Interests of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than (a) Equity Interests of any wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or (b) purchases, redemptions, defeasances or other acquisitions made by a Restricted Subsidiary on a pro rata basis from all stockholders of such Restricted Subsidiary);

(3) make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor that is contractually subordinated to the Notes or to any Note Guarantee (excluding any intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), except a payment of interest or a payment, purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or payment at final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of such payment, purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value; or

(4) make any Restricted Investment,

(all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (1) through (4) of this Section 4.07(a) collectively being referred to as “ Restricted Payments ”),

unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment:

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

(b) the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, have been permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof; and

(c) at the time of such Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto, the Consolidated Total Net Debt Ratio would be no greater than 3.5 to 1.0: and

(ii) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries since the Issue Date (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (2) through (7) and (9) through (13) of Section 4.07(b) hereof), is less than the sum, without duplication, of:

(a) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for the period (taken as one accounting period) from the beginning of the fiscal quarter in which the Issue Date occurred to

 

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the end of the Company’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment (or, if such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, less 100% of such deficit); plus

(b) 100% of the aggregate net proceeds (including the Fair Market Value of assets other than cash, including any Permitted Business) received by the Company since the Issue Date as a contribution to its common equity capital or from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or from the issue or sale of convertible or exchangeable Disqualified Stock or convertible or exchangeable debt securities of the Company that have been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests (other than Equity Interests (or Disqualified Stock or debt securities) sold to a Subsidiary of the Company); provided that any non-cash net proceeds shall be assets of the type used or useful in a Permitted Business; plus

(c) an amount equal to the net reduction in or return on Investments (other than Permitted Investments) made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries subsequent to the Issue Date resulting from repurchases, repayments or redemptions of such Investments, proceeds realized on the sale of any such Investment and proceeds representing the return of capital on any such Investment and dividends and distributions with respect thereto, in each case received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided , however, that, with respect to any Investment, the foregoing sum shall not exceed the amount of such Investment; plus

(d) the amount by which Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock incurred or issued since the Issue Date is reduced on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet upon the conversion or exchange (other than by a Subsidiary of the Company) into Capital Stock of the Company that is not Disqualified Stock (less the amount of any cash, or the Fair Market Value of any other asset, distributed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary upon such conversion or exchange); provided that such amount will not exceed the aggregate Net Proceeds received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary since the Issue Date from the issuance and sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock; plus

(e) 100% of any dividends received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company after the Issue Date from an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company, to the extent that such dividends were not otherwise included in the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for such period; provided , however , that the amount calculated pursuant to this clause (e) may not exceed the aggregate amount of Restricted Investments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in such Unrestricted Subsidiary since the Issue Date; plus

(f) to the extent that any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company designated as such after the Issue Date is redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date, in a transaction that is treated as a Restricted Investment (and not a Permitted Investment), the Fair Market Value of the Company’s Investment in such Subsidiary as of the date of such redesignation provided that the amount calculated pursuant to this clause (f) may not exceed the aggregate amount of Restricted Investments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in such Unrestricted Subsidiary made since the Issue Date.

(b) The provisions of Section 4.07(a) hereof will not prohibit:

(1) the payment of any dividend or distribution or the consummation of any irrevocable redemption within 90 days after the date of declaration of the dividend or distribution or giving of the redemption notice, as the case may be, if at the date of declaration or notice, the dividend or distribution or redemption payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;

(2) the making of any Restricted Payment in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of, Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or from the substantially concurrent contribution of common equity capital to Company; provided that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such Restricted Payment will be excluded from clause (ii)(b) of Section 4.07(a) hereof;

 

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(3) the repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor that is contractually subordinated to the Notes or to any Note Guarantee in exchange for, or with the net cash proceeds from a substantially concurrent incurrence of, Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;

(4) the payment of any dividend (or, in the case of any partnership or limited liability company, any similar distribution) by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the holders of its Equity Interests on a pro rata basis;

(5) so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company held by any current or former officer, director or employee of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (or permitted transferees of such officers, directors or employees) pursuant to any equity subscription agreement, stock option agreement, stockholders’ agreement or similar agreement or other agreement approved by the Board of Directors; provided that the aggregate price paid for all such repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired Equity Interests may not exceed $5.0 million in any twelve-month period, with unused amounts pursuant to this clause (5) being carried over to one or more succeeding twelve-month periods; provided that in no event shall such amount exceed $10.0 million in any twelve-month period;

(6) the repurchase of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock options, warrants or other convertible securities to the extent such Equity Interests represent all or a portion of the exercise price of those stock options, warrants or other convertible securities or are surrendered in connection with satisfying any federal or state income tax withholding obligation related to any such exercise or vesting of any stock options, warrants, convertible securities or other equity award;

(7) the declaration and payment of regularly scheduled or accrued dividends to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company issued on or after the Issue Date not in violation of the covenant described in Section 4.09 hereof to the extent such dividends are included in the definition of “Fixed Charges”;

(8) the declaration and payment of regular quarterly dividends on the Company’s common Equity Interests in accordance with past practice and not to exceed $20.0 million per fiscal year;

(9) cash payments in lieu of issuance of fractional shares in connection with the exercise of warrants, stock options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for the Equity Interests of NN, Inc. or a Restricted Subsidiary;

(10) the repurchase of Equity Interests deemed to occur (A) upon the exercise of stock options, warrants or similar rights to the extent such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of those stock options or warrants, (B) as a result of common shares utilized to satisfy tax withholding obligations upon exercise of stock options or vesting of other equity awards or (C) upon the cancellation of stock options, warrants or other equity awards;

(11) the purchase, repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for nominal value of common stock or preferred stock purchase rights issued in connection with any stockholder rights plan that may be adopted by the Company;

(12) for the avoidance of doubt, the Transactions and the payment of fees and expenses in connection with the Transactions and the payment of Receivables Fees; and

 

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(13) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount since the Issue Date not to exceed $40.0 million; provided that the amount available to make Restricted Payments pursuant to this clause (13) shall not exceed $10.0 million in the aggregate since the Issue Date when the Consolidated Total Net Debt Ratio is greater than 4.0 to 1.0 at the time of such Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto; provided further that the amount available to make Restricted Payments pursuant to this clause (13) shall not exceed $20.0 million in the aggregate since the Issue Date when the Consolidated Total Net Debt Ratio is equal to or less than 4.0 to 1.0 but greater than 3.5 to 1.0 at the time of such Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto.

The amount of any Restricted Payment (other than cash) will be the Fair Market Value on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be transferred or issued by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment. For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.07, in the event that a payment or other action meets the criteria of more than one of the exceptions described in clauses (1) through (13) of Section 4.07(b) hereof, or is entitled to be made pursuant to Section 4.07(a) hereof (including any payment or other action that constitutes a “Permitted Investment”), the Company will be permitted to classify such payment or other action on the date of its occurrence in any manner that complies with this Section 4.07 (including any payment or other action that constitutes a “Permitted Investment”). Payments or other actions permitted by this Section 4.07 need not be permitted solely by reference to one provision permitting such payment or other action (including any payment or other action that constitutes a “Permitted Investment”), but may be permitted in part by one such provision and in part by one or more other provisions of this Section 4.07 permitting payment or other action (including any payment or other action that constitutes a “Permitted Investment”).

 

Section 4.08 Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.

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

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

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

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

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

(1) agreements governing Indebtedness outstanding of the Issue Date and Credit Facilities as in effect on the Issue Date and any amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, increases supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements; provided that the amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such encumbrances and restrictions than those contained in those agreements on the Issue Date;

(2) this Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees and the Exchange Notes and the related Guarantees to be issued pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement;

(3) applicable law, rule, regulation or order;

(4) any instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition (except to the extent such Indebtedness or Capital Stock was incurred in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition),

 

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which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired and any amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of such instrument; provided that, in the case of Indebtedness, such Indebtedness was permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be incurred and in the case of amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings, such amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are not more materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such encumbrances and restrictions, than those contained in those agreements on the Issue Date;

(5) customary non-assignment provisions in contracts, leases, licenses and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(6) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business and Capital Lease Obligations that impose restrictions on the property purchased or leased of the nature described in clause (3) of Section 4.08(a) hereof;

(7) any agreement for the sale or other disposition of a Restricted Subsidiary or the assets of a Restricted Subsidiary pending the sale or other disposition of such assets or Restricted Subsidiary;

(8) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness; provided that the restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced;

(9) Liens permitted to be incurred under the provisions of Section 4.12 hereof that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets subject to such Liens;

(10) provisions limiting the disposition or distribution of assets or property in joint venture agreements, asset sale agreements, sale-leaseback agreements, stock sale agreements and other similar agreements entered into with the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors, which limitation is applicable only to the assets that are the subject of such agreements;

(11) agreements governing Indebtedness of any Foreign Subsidiary incurred in compliance with this Indenture;

(12) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by leases or contracts with customers, in each case, entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(13) any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to an agreement in effect on the Issue Date, as such encumbrance or restriction is in effect on such date, and any encumbrances or restrictions imposed by amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of such agreement; provided that such amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are not more materially restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such encumbrances and restrictions than those contained in those agreements on the Issue Date;

(14) covenants to maintain net worth, total assets or liquidity and similar financial responsibility covenants under contracts with customers or suppliers in the ordinary course of business;

(15) any encumbrance or restriction in any agreement or instrument governing or in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction; provided that such restrictions apply only to the Receivables that are subject to such Qualified Receivables Transaction; and

(16) any instrument governing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under this Indenture so long as the encumbrances and restrictions imposed pursuant to such instruments are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those encumbrances and restrictions contained in the Credit Facilities on the Issue Date.

 

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Section 4.09 Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.

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

(b) The provisions of Section 4.09(a) hereof will not prohibit (collectively, “ Permitted Debt ”):

(1) the incurrence by the Company and any Restricted Subsidiaries of additional Indebtedness and letters of credit under Credit Facilities in an aggregate principal amount (excluding the amount of any Hedging Obligations and banking service, treasury management and other similar Obligations) at any one time outstanding under this clause (1) (with letters of credit being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the maximum potential liability of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries thereunder) not to exceed $725.0 million;

(2) the incurrence by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries of the Existing Indebtedness outstanding on the Issue Date (other than Indebtedness outstanding under clause (1) above or clause (3) below and Indebtedness being repaid with the proceeds of the Initial Notes);

(3) the incurrence by the Company and the Guarantors of Indebtedness represented by the Notes and the related Note Guarantees to be issued on the Issue Date and the Exchange Notes and the related Note Guarantees to be issued pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement (and any Exchange Notes issued in exchange for Additional Notes properly incurred under this Indenture, where the terms of such Exchange Notes are substantially identical to such Additional Notes);

(4) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case, incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of design, construction, installation or improvement of property, plant or equipment used in the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, provided that the aggregate principal amount of any such incurrence does not cause the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness then outstanding under this clause (4), including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (4), to exceed $40.0 million;

(5) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) that was permitted by this Indenture to be incurred under Section 4.09(a) hereof or clauses (2), (3), (4), (5), (14) or (19) of this Section 4.09(b);

 

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(6) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided , however , that:

(a) if the Company or any Guarantor is the obligor on such Indebtedness and the payee is not the Company or a Guarantor, such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations then due with respect to the Notes, in the case of the Company, or the Note Guarantee, in the case of a Guarantor; and

(b) (i) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and (ii) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, that was not permitted by this clause (6);

(7) the issuance by any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries to the Company or to any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of shares of preferred stock; provided , however , that:

(a) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such preferred stock being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; and

(b) any sale or other transfer of any such preferred stock to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an issuance of such preferred stock by such Restricted Subsidiary that was not permitted by this clause (7);

(8) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Hedging Obligations in the ordinary course of business;

(9) the guarantee by the Company or any of the Guarantors of Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that was permitted to be incurred by another provision of this Section 4.09; provided that if the Indebtedness being guaranteed is subordinated to or pari passu with the Notes, then such Guarantee shall be subordinated or pari passu , as applicable, to the same extent as the Indebtedness guaranteed;

(10) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness in respect of workers’ compensation claims, self-insurance obligations, bankers’ acceptances, performance, completion and surety bonds and completion, performance and other guarantees in the ordinary course of business;

(11) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness in respect of banking service, treasury management and other similar Obligations (including without limitation Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument inadvertently drawn against insufficient funds or in respect of netting services, overdraft protection and otherwise in connection with deposit accounts, so long as such Indebtedness is covered within five business days);

(12) the incurrence by Foreign Subsidiaries of Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding pursuant to this clause (12), including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (12), not to exceed $25.0 million (or the equivalent thereof, measured at the time of each incurrence, in applicable foreign currency);

(13) the incurrence of Indebtedness arising from any agreement entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries providing for indemnification, purchase price adjustment or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the acquisition or disposition of any business or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or Capital Stock of any of its Restricted

 

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Subsidiaries; provided that the maximum aggregate liability in respect of all such Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (13) shall at no time exceed the gross proceeds actually received by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such acquisitions or dispositions;

(14) the incurrence of Permitted Acquisition Debt;

(15) the incurrence of Indebtedness arising in connection with endorsement of instruments for deposit in the ordinary course of business;

(16) the incurrence of Indebtedness consisting of take-or-pay obligations contained in supply agreements relating to products, services or commodities of a type that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries uses or sells in the ordinary course of business;

(17) the incurrence of Indebtedness consisting of the financing of insurance premiums;

(18) the incurrence of Indebtedness consisting of Guarantees incurred in the ordinary course of business under repurchase agreements or similar agreements in connection with the financing of sales of goods in the ordinary course of business; and

(19) the incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of additional Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) at any time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (19), not to exceed the greater of (x) $50.0 million and (y) 3.0% of Total Assets as of the date of any such incurrence.

The Company will not incur, and the Company will not permit any Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, incur any Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) that is subordinated or junior in right of payment to any Indebtedness of the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, unless such Indebtedness is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or such Guarantor’s Note Guarantee to the extent and in the same manner as such Indebtedness is subordinated to other Indebtedness of the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be; provided , however , that (1) unsecured Indebtedness will not be deemed or treated as subordinated or junior to secured Indebtedness merely because it is unsecured or is secured by different collateral or (2) Senior Debt will not be deemed or treated as subordinated or junior to any other Senior Debt merely because it has a junior priority with respect to the same collateral.

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09, in the event that an item of proposed Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (1) through (19) above or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(a) hereof, the Company will be permitted to classify such item of Indebtedness on the date of its incurrence, or later reclassify all or a portion of such item of Indebtedness, in any manner that complies with this Section 4.09. Indebtedness permitted by this Section 4.09 need not be permitted solely by reference to one provision permitting such Indebtedness but may be permitted in part by one such provision and in part by one or more other provisions of this Section 4.09 permitting such Indebtedness. Indebtedness under Credit Facilities outstanding on the date on which Notes are first issued and authenticated under this Indenture will be deemed to have been incurred on such date in reliance on the exception provided by clause (1) of the definition of Permitted Debt and may not later be reclassified. The accrual of interest, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest on any Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, the reclassification of preferred stock as Indebtedness due to a change in accounting principles, the payment of fees and premiums and additional payments with respect to Indebtedness, the realization of any Permitted Lien, a change in GAAP or an interpretation thereunder that results in an obligation of such Person that exists at such time becoming Indebtedness, and the payment of dividends on Disqualified Stock in the form of additional shares of the same class of Disqualified Stock will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of Disqualified Stock for purposes of this Section 4.09; provided , in each such case, that the amount of any such accrual of interest, accretion or amortization of original issue discount or payment of interest is included in Fixed Charges of the Company as accrued, accreted or paid, as the case may be. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 4.09, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may incur pursuant to this Section 4.09 shall not be deemed to be exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in exchange

 

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rates or currency values. For purposes of determining compliance with, and the outstanding principal amount of, any particular Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this Section 4.09, any other obligation of the obligor on such Indebtedness (or of any other Person that could have incurred such Indebtedness under this Section 4.09) arising under any Guarantee, Lien or letter of credit, bankers’ acceptance or other similar instrument or obligation supporting such Indebtedness shall be disregarded to the extent that such Guarantee, Lien or letter of credit, bankers’ acceptance or other similar instrument or obligation secures the principal amount of such Indebtedness.

The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date will be:

(a) the accreted value of the Indebtedness, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount;

(b) the principal amount of the Indebtedness, in the case of any other Indebtedness; and

(c) in respect of Indebtedness of another Person secured by a Lien on the assets of the specified Person, the lesser of:

(i) the Fair Market Value of such assets at the date of determination; or

(ii) the amount of the Indebtedness of the other Person.

 

Section 4.10 Asset Sales.

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

(1) the Company (or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) receives consideration at the time of the Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the assets or Equity Interests sold or issued or otherwise disposed of; and

(2) at least 75% of the consideration received in the Asset Sale by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents. For purposes of this clause (2), each of the following shall be deemed to be cash:

(A) any liabilities, as shown on the Company’s most recent internal balance sheet, of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or any Note Guarantee) that are unconditionally assumed by the transferee of any such assets to the extent that the Company or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary is released from all liability with respect thereto;

(B) any securities, notes or other obligations received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash or Cash Equivalents within 180 days after receipt, to the extent of the cash or Cash Equivalents received in that conversion;

(C) any Designated Noncash Consideration received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Asset Sale having an aggregate Fair Market Value, taken together with all other Designated Noncash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (C) that is at that time outstanding in the aggregate, not to exceed the greater of (x) $40.0 million and (y) 2.5% of Total Assets at the time of the receipt of such Designated Noncash Consideration, with the Fair Market Value of each item of Designated Noncash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value;

(D) any stock or assets of the kind referred to in clauses (2) or (4) of Section 4.10(b) hereof; and

 

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(E) a combination of the consideration specified in the foregoing clauses (A) through (D) of this Section 4.10(a).

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

(1) to repay Senior Debt that is secured by a Lien, which Lien is permitted by this Indenture and, if such Senior Debt repaid is revolving credit Indebtedness, to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto;

(2) to acquire all or substantially all of the assets of, or any Capital Stock of, another Permitted Business, provided that, in the case of any such acquisition of Capital Stock, the Permitted Business is or becomes or is merged with or into a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(3) to make a capital expenditure;

(4) to acquire other assets that are not classified as current assets under GAAP and that are used or useful in a Permitted Business;

(5) to repay other Senior Debt; provided that to the extent the Company (or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) reduces Obligations under Senior Debt other than the Notes, the Company shall equally and ratably reduce Obligations under the Notes pursuant to Section 3.07 through open-market purchases (to the extent such purchases are at or above 100% of the principal amount thereof) or by making an offer (in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 3.09) to all Holders to purchase their Notes at 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus the amount of accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the amount of Notes to be prepaid; or

(6) a combination of the repayments, acquisitions and expenditures permitted by the immediately foregoing clauses (1) through (5) of this Section 4.10(b);

provided that, in the case of clauses (2), (3) and (4) above of this Section 4.10(b), a binding commitment entered into not later than such 365th day will extend the period for such investment or other payment for up to an additional 180 days after the end of such 365-day period so long as the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary enters into such commitment with the good faith expectation that such Net Proceeds will be applied to satisfy such commitment within such 180 days (an “ Acceptable Commitment ”). In the event an Acceptable Commitment is later cancelled or terminated for any reason before the Net Proceeds are applied in connection therewith but after the end of the original 365-day period, then such Net Proceeds will be deemed to constitute Excess Proceeds on the date of such cancellation or termination. In addition to the foregoing, at any time and on one or more occasions prior to such 365th day (as extended, if applicable), the Company in its sole discretion may apply Net Proceeds from one or more Asset Sales to make an Asset Sale Offer as described below in this Section 4.10.

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

Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as provided in Section 4.10(b) hereof will constitute “ Excess Proceeds .” When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $40.0 million (or such lesser amount that the Company determines), the Company will make an Asset Sale Offer to all Holders of Notes and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in this Indenture with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets in accordance with Section 3.09 hereof to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds. The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer will be equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of purchase and will be payable in cash. If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company may use those Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess

 

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Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis, subject to DTC procedures applicable to Global Notes. Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset at zero.

The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with each repurchase of Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of Section 3.09 hereof or this Section 4.10, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under Section 3.09 hereof or this Section 4.10 by virtue of such compliance.

 

Section 4.11 Transactions with Affiliates.

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

(1) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $5.0 million, the Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person; and

(2) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $15.0 million, the Company delivers to the Trustee a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company set forth in an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (1) of this Section 4.11(a) and that such Affiliate Transaction has been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the Company.

(b) The following items will not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions and, therefore, will not be subject to the provisions of Section 4.11(a) hereof:

(1) any employment agreement, employee benefit plan, officer or director indemnification agreement, or any similar arrangement (including vacation plans, health and life insurance plans, deferred compensation plans, retirement or savings plans, and stock option, stock ownership and similar plans) entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, any payment of compensation (including awards or grants in cash, securities or other payments) for the personal service of officers and employees of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and payments of reasonable directors fees, in each case entered into or paid by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and payments pursuant thereto;

(2) transactions between or among the Company and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(3) transactions with a Person (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company) that is an Affiliate of the Company solely because the Company owns or controls, directly or through a Restricted Subsidiary, an Equity Interest in such Person;

(4) any issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company to Affiliates of the Company;

(5) loans and advances to officers, directors or employees of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries made in the ordinary course of business;

(6) Restricted Payments that do not violate Section 4.07 hereof and Investments that constitute Permitted Investments;

 

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(7) transactions where the Company delivers to the trustee an opinion as to the fairness to the Company or such Subsidiary of such transactions from a financial point of view issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing;

(8) purchases and sales of raw materials or inventory in the ordinary course of business on market terms;

(9) transactions between the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and any joint venture or Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company entered into in the ordinary course of business; provided that such transactions are on terms that are no less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person;

(10) sales, contributions, conveyances and other transfers of Receivables in connection with any Qualified Receivables Transaction; and

(11) any transaction arising out of an agreement existing on the Issue Date and described in the Offering Memorandum and any amendment thereto or replacement thereof that, taken as a whole, is no less favorable to the Company than the agreement as in effect on the Issue Date.

 

Section 4.12 Liens.

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any Lien of any kind (other than Permitted Liens) securing Indebtedness, or Attributable Debt upon any of their property or assets, now owned or hereafter acquired, unless all payments due under this Indenture and the Notes are secured (a) in the case of any Senior Debt so secured, on an equal and ratable basis with the Obligations so secured until such time as such Obligations are no longer secured by a Lien and (b) in the case of any subordinated Indebtedness so secured, on a senior basis with the Obligations so secured until such time as such Obligations are no longer secured by a Lien. Any Lien created for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes pursuant to this Section 4.12 will provide by its terms that such Lien will be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon the release and discharge of the initial Lien giving rise to such Lien.

 

Section 4.13 [Intentionally Omitted.]

 

Section 4.14 Corporate Existence.

Subject to Article 5 hereof, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect:

(1) its corporate existence, and the corporate, partnership or other existence of each of its Subsidiaries, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Company or any such Subsidiary; and

(2) the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership or other existence of any of its Subsidiaries, if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.

 

Section 4.15 Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control.

(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company will make an offer (a “ Change of Control Offer ”) to each Holder to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) of that Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes

 

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repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes repurchased to the date of purchase, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date (the “ Change of Control Payment ”); provided that the unrepurchased portion of the Notes of any Holder must be equal to $2,000 in principal amount or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Company will deliver a notice to each Holder and the Trustee describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control and stating:

(1) that the Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 4.15 and that all Notes tendered will be accepted for payment;

(2) the purchase price and the purchase date, which shall be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is delivered (the “ Change of Control Payment Date ”);

(3) that any Note not tendered will continue to accrue interest;

(4) that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer will cease to accrue interest after the Change of Control Payment Date;

(5) that Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender the Notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;

(6) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the second Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of Notes delivered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have the Notes purchased; and

(7) that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, which unpurchased portion must be equal to $2,000 in principal amount or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of Sections 3.09 or 4.15 hereof, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under Section 3.09 hereof or this Section 4.15 by virtue of such compliance.

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

(1) accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

(2) deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is acting as Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust) an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered; and

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

 

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Upon receiving the Change of Control Payment from the Company, the Paying Agent will promptly deliver (but in any case not later than five days after the Change of Control Payment Date) to each Holder of Notes properly tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and deliver (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any; provided that each new Note must be equal to $2,000 in principal amount or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The Company will publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.15, the Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if (1) a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Section 4.15 and Section 3.09 hereof and purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under the Change of Control Offer, or (2) notice of redemption has been given pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof, unless and until there is a default in payment of the applicable redemption price.

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, a Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, conditioned upon the consummation of such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time the Change of Control Offer is made.

(e) If Holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes validly tender and do not withdraw such notes in a Change of Control Offer and the Company, or any other Person making a Change of Control Offer in lieu of the Company as described above, purchases all of the notes validly tendered and not withdrawn by such holders, the Company will have the right, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, given not more than 30 days following such purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer described above, to redeem all notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a redemption price in cash equal to the applicable Change of Control Payment plus, to the extent not included in the Change of Control Payment, accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of redemption (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the date of purchase).

 

Section 4.16 [Intentionally Omitted.]

 

Section 4.17 Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions.

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction; provided that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may enter into a Sale and Leaseback Transaction if:

(1) the Company or that Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, could have incurred Indebtedness in an amount equal to the Attributable Debt relating to such Sale and Leaseback Transaction under the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test in Section 4.09(a) hereof; and

(2) the transfer of assets in that Sale and Leaseback Transaction does not violate, and the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary applies the proceeds of such transaction in compliance with, Section 4.10 hereof.

 

Section 4.18 [Intentionally Omitted.]

 

Section 4.19 [Intentionally Omitted.]

 

Section 4.20 Additional Note Guarantees.

If the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquires or creates another Domestic Subsidiary after the Issue Date, and such Domestic Subsidiary Guarantees the Company’s obligations under any Credit Facility or incurs any Indebtedness under any Credit Facility, then the Company will cause that newly acquired or created Domestic

 

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Subsidiary to execute a notation of Note Guarantee pursuant to a supplemental indenture substantially in the form of Exhibit F hereto, in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee and deliver an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee within 20 Business Days of the date on which it was acquired or created (or ceased to be an Immaterial Subsidiary, to the extent applicable) to the effect that such supplemental indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by that Domestic Subsidiary and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of that Domestic Subsidiary, enforceable in accordance with its terms (subject to customary exceptions); provided that any Domestic Subsidiary that constitutes an Immaterial Subsidiary need not become a Guarantor until such time as it ceases to be an Immaterial Subsidiary. The form of notation of such Note Guarantee is attached as Exhibit E hereto.

 

Section 4.21 Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Restricted Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if that designation would not cause a Default and if that designation otherwise is consistent with the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. If a Restricted Subsidiary is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the aggregate Fair Market Value of all outstanding Investments owned by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be deemed to be an Investment made as of the time of the designation and that designation will only be permitted if the Investment would be permitted at that time (either as a Restricted Payment or as a Permitted Investment) and if such Restricted Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. Such designation will reduce the amount available for Restricted Payments or Permitted Investments, as applicable.

Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors giving effect to such designation and an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions and was permitted by Section 4.07 hereof. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it will thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary will be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date under Section 4.09 hereof, the Company will be in default of such covenant unless such Unrestricted Subsidiary is made to meet such requirements.

The Board of Directors of the Company may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such designation will be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding Indebtedness and Liens of such Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation will only be permitted if (1) such Indebtedness and Liens are permitted under Sections 4.09 and 4.12 hereof, calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the four-quarter reference period; and (2) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation.

ARTICLE 5

SUCCESSORS

 

Section 5.01 Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets.

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

(1) either:

(a) the Company is the surviving corporation; or

(b) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made is an entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia;

 

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(2) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made assumes all the obligations of the Company under the Notes, this Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement (if the Company’s registration obligations thereunder have not been completed) pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;

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

(4) the Company or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made would, on the date of such transaction after giving pro forma effect thereto and any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, (a) be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof or (b) have a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio that is no less than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company immediately prior to such transaction; and

(5) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel (on which the Trustee may conclusively and exclusively rely), each stating that the Company has complied with all conditions precedent and that such transaction does not contravene the requirements of this Indenture.

In addition, the Company will not, directly or indirectly, lease all or substantially all of its and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ properties or assets, taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to any other Person.

(b) This Section 5.01 will not apply to:

(1) a merger of the Company with an Affiliate solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Company in another jurisdiction under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia; or

(2) any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition of assets between or among the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

Section 5.02 Successor Corporation Substituted.

Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of, Section 5.01 hereof, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the successor Person and not to the Company), and may exercise every right and power of the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein; provided , however , that the predecessor Company shall not be relieved from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes except in the case of a sale of all of the Company’s assets in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of, Section 5.01 hereof.

 

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ARTICLE 6

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

Section 6.01 Events of Default.

Each of the following is an “ Event of Default ”:

(1) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on, or Additional Interest, if any, with respect to, the Notes;

(2) default in the payment when due (at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise) of the principal of, or premium, if any, on, the Notes;

(3) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with the provisions of Section 5.01 hereof;

(4) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with Section 4.03 hereof for 90 days after written notice to the Company by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding;

(5) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with any of the other agreements in this Indenture for 60 days after written notice to the Company by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding;

(6) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), whether such Indebtedness or Guarantee now exists, or is created after the Issue Date, if that default:

(a) is caused by a failure to pay principal on such Indebtedness at Stated Maturity after giving effect to any grace period (a “ Payment Default ”); or

(b) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its Stated Maturity, and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $45.0 million or more and such Indebtedness has not been discharged or such acceleration has not been rescinded or annulled, as applicable, within 30 days;

(7) one or more final non-appealable judgments entered against the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary by a court or courts of competent jurisdiction aggregating in excess of $45.0 million, excluding amounts covered by third-party indemnities or insurance, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days after the date on which the right to appeal has expired;

(8) except as permitted by this Indenture, any Note Guarantee by a Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary of the Company is held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect, or any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary of the Company, or any Person acting on behalf of any such Guarantor, denies or disaffirms its obligations under its Note Guarantee; and

 

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(9) the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law:

(a) commences a voluntary case;

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

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

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

(e) generally is not paying its debts as they become due; and

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

(i) is for relief against the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;

(ii) appoints a custodian of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; or

(iii) orders the liquidation of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary;

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

 

Section 6.02 Acceleration.

In the case of an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (9) of Section 6.01 hereof, with respect to the Company, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may by written notice to the Company declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately.

Upon any such declaration, the Notes shall become due and payable immediately.

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by written notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of all of the Holders, rescind an acceleration and its consequences, if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default (except nonpayment of principal, interest or premium, if any, or Additional Interest, if any, that has become due solely because of the acceleration) have been cured or waived.

 

Section 6.03 Other Remedies.

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, and interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

 

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Section 6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults.

Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive an existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium and Additional Interest, if any, or interest on, the Notes, including in connection with an offer to purchase (other than the non-payment of interest or premium, if any, or Additional Interest, if any, on, or principal of, the Notes that become due solely because of the acceleration of the Notes); provided , however , that the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

Section 6.05 Control by Majority.

Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders of Notes (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not any such directions are unduly prejudicial to such Holders) or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability. The Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.

 

Section 6.06 Limitation on Suits.

A Holder may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes only if:

(1) such Holder gives to the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default is continuing;

(2) Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(3) such Holder or Holders offer and, if requested, provide to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

(4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity; and

(5) during such 60-day period, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request.

A Holder of a Note may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of a Note or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of a Note.

 

Section 6.07 Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, and interest on the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note (including in connection with an Asset Sale Offer or Change of Control Offer), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

 

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Section 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee.

If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(1) or (2) hereof occurs and is continuing, without the possession of any of the Notes or the production thereof in any proceeding related thereto, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company or any Guarantor for the whole amount of principal of, premium and Additional Interest, if any, and interest remaining unpaid on, the Notes and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee (including without limitation any amounts due to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.07 hereof), its agents and counsel.

 

Section 6.09 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders of the Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company or any Guarantor (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

 

Section 6.10 Priorities.

After an Event of Default, any moneys or properties distributable in respect of the Company’s or any Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture, or if the Trustee collects any money or property pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money and property in the following order:

First : to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection;

Second : to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, and interest, respectively; and

Third : to the Company or any other obligors on the Notes, including the Guarantors, or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Notes pursuant to this Section 6.10.

 

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Section 6.11 Undertaking for Costs.

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Note pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.

ARTICLE 7

TRUSTEE

 

Section 7.01 Duties of Trustee.

(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and is actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee will exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

(1) the duties of the Trustee will be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(2) in the absence of willful misconduct or bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, the Trustee will examine the certificates and opinions specifically required to be furnished to it under this Indenture to determine whether or not they conform on their face to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of any mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct or bad faith, except that:

(1) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01;

(2) the Trustee will not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(3) the Trustee will not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to the terms hereof.

(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this Section 7.01.

(e) No provision of this Indenture will require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers. The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under this Indenture at the request or direction of any Holders, unless such Holder has offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

 

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(f) The Trustee will not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

Section 7.02 Rights of Trustee.

Subject to TIA § 315(a) through (d):

(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely upon, and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon, any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in any such document. The Trustee shall receive financial reports and statements of the Company as provided herein, but shall have no duty to review or analyze such reports or statements to determine compliance with covenants or other obligations of the Company.

(b) Except as otherwise set forth in this Indenture, before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel will be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

(c) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and will not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.

(d) The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company will be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company.

(f) The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee satisfactory indemnity or security against the losses, liabilities and expenses that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

(g) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance or exercise of its powers or duties hereunder.

(h) Except with respect to Section 4.01 hereof, the Trustee shall have no duty to inquire as to the performance of the Company with respect to the covenants contained in Article 4 hereof. In addition, Trustee shall not deemed to have notice or be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless the Trustee shall have received from the Company, any Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Notes or from any Holder written notice thereof at its address set forth in Section 13.02 hereof, and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture. In the absence of any such notice, the Trustee may conclusively assume that no Default or Event of Default exists.

(i) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including without limitation its right to be compensated, reimbursed, and indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder as Agent, and to each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

(j) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or

 

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military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

(k) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit), irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

 

Section 7.03 Individual Rights of Trustee.

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or any Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest, as defined in the TIA, it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as trustee (if this Indenture has been qualified under the TIA and to the extent permitted by TIA § 3.10(b)) or resign. If the Trustee fails to eliminate the conflicting interest, obtain permission or resign within 10 days of the expiration of the 90-day period, the Trustee is required to notify the Holders to this effect, and any Holder that has been a bona fide Holder for at least six months may petition a court to remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.

 

Section 7.04 Trustee’s Disclaimer.

The Trustee will not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Company or upon the Company’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it will not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it will not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication and the Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 to be supplied to the Company in connection with the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and/or Shelf Registration Statement.

 

Section 7.05 Notice of Defaults.

If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee will mail or deliver to Holders of Notes a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after receipt of notice of the occurrence of the Event of Default.

 

Section 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.

(a) Within 60 days after each April 15 beginning April 15, 2016, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee will deliver to the Holders of the Notes a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA § 313(a) (but if no event described in TIA § 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also will comply with TIA § 313(b)(2). The Trustee will also transmit or deliver all reports as required by TIA § 313(c).

(b) A copy of each report at the time of its delivery to the Holders of Notes will be delivered by the Trustee to the Company and filed by the Trustee with the SEC, if required, and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed, if any, in accordance with TIA § 313(d). The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange.

 

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Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity.

(a) The Company will pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder. The Trustee’s compensation will not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company will reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses will include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

(b) The Company and the Guarantors will, jointly and severally, indemnify the Trustee (which for purposes of this Section 7.07 shall include its officers, directors, stockholders, employees and agents) against any and all losses, liabilities or expenses (including without limitation taxes other than taxes based on the income of the Trustee)incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company and the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, the Guarantors, any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense may be attributable to its negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. The Trustee will notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company will not relieve the Company or any of the Guarantors of their obligations hereunder. The Company or such Guarantor will defend the claim and the Trustee will cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel, and the Company will pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. Neither the Company nor any Guarantor need pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld. Neither the Company nor any Guarantor need reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense incurred by the Trustee through its own negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith.

(c) The obligations of the Company and the Guarantors under this Section 7.07 will survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture (including without limitation taxes other than taxes based on the income of the Trustee).

(d) To secure the Company’s and the Guarantors’ payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee will have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Notes. Such Lien will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

(e) When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(8) or (9) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

(f) The Trustee will comply with the provisions of TIA § 313(b)(2) to the extent applicable.

(g) “Trustee” for the purposes of this Section 7.07 shall include any predecessor Trustee and the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder and each agent, custodian and other person employed to act hereunder; provided, however, that the negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of any Trustee hereunder shall not affect the rights of any other Trustee hereunder.

 

Section 7.08 Replacement of Trustee.

(a) A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee will become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.

 

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(b) The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing. The Company may remove the Trustee if:

(1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;

(2) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

(3) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(4) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

(c) If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company will promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

(d) If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee (at the Company’s expense), the Company, or the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(e) If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(f) A successor Trustee will deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee will become effective, and the successor Trustee will have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee will deliver a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee will promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee; provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 hereof will continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act will be the successor Trustee.

 

Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification.

There will at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $100.0 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

This Indenture will always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA § 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to TIA § 310(b). There shall be excluded from the operation of TIA Section 310(b)(i) any securities under any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Company or any of the Guarantors are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in TIA Section 310(b)(i) are met.

 

Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

The Trustee is subject to TIA § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA § 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

 

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ARTICLE 8

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

 

Section 8.01 Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

The Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have either Sections 8.02 or 8.03 hereof be applied to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.

 

Section 8.02 Legal Defeasance and Discharge.

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Company and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes (including the Note Guarantees) on and after the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Legal Defeasance ”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company and the Guarantors will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes (including the Note Guarantees), which will thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (1) and (2) below, and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Notes, the Note Guarantees and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

(1) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium and Additional Interest, if any, on, such Notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 8.04 hereof;

(2) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Notes under Article 2 and Section 4.02 hereof;

(3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations in connection therewith; and

(4) Sections 8.01, 8.02, 8.04, 8.05, 8.06 and 8.07 of this Article 8.

Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof. If the Company exercises its Legal Defeasance option, each Guarantor will be released from all of its obligations with respect to its Note Guarantee.

 

Section 8.03 Covenant Defeasance.

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Company and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from each of their obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.03, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.15, 4.17, 4.19, 4.20, 4.21 hereof and clause (4) of Section 5.01(a) hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes (including the Note Guarantees) on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Covenant Defeasance ”), and the Notes will thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but will continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes will not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes and Note Guarantees, the Company and the Guarantors may omit to comply with and will have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but,

 

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except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes and Note Guarantees will be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, the events described in Sections 6.01(3) through 6.01(5) hereof will not constitute Events of Default.

 

Section 8.04 Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance under either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof:

(1) the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm, or firm of independent public accountants reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay the principal of, or interest and premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, on the outstanding Notes on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable Redemption Date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether the Notes are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular Redemption Date;

(2) in the case of an election under Section 8.02 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that:

(a) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or

(b) since the Issue Date, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law,

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel will confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(3) in the case of an election under Section 8.03 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(4) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit);

(5) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;

(6) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of Notes over the other creditors of the Company with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Company or others; and

(7) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.

 

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Section 8.05 Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and non-callable Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “ Trustee ”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes will be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

The Company will pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

Notwithstanding anything in this Article 8 to the contrary, the Trustee will deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request of the Company any money or non-callable Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(1) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

Section 8.06 Repayment to Company.

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium or Additional Interest, if any, or interest on, any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium, if any, or Additional Interest, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall, subject to applicable abandoned property law, be paid to the Company on its request or (if then held by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) will be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note will thereafter be permitted to look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, will thereupon cease; provided , however , that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which will not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

 

Section 8.07 Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any U.S. dollars or non-callable Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture and the Notes and the Note Guarantees will be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided , however , that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or Additional Interest, if any, or interest on, any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company will be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

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ARTICLE 9

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

 

Section 9.01 Without Consent of Holders of Notes.

Notwithstanding Section 9.02 hereof, the Company, the Guarantors (except that no existing Guarantor need execute a supplemental indenture substantially in the form of Exhibit F hereto pursuant to clause (8) of this Section 9.01) and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees without the consent of any Holder to:

(1) cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

(2) provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;

(3) provide for the assumption of the Company’s or a Guarantor’s obligations to Holders of Notes and Note Guarantees by a successor to the Company or such Guarantor pursuant to Article 5 or Article 11 hereof;

(4) make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to Holders or that does not adversely affect the legal rights hereunder of any Holder;

(5) comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

(6) conform the text of this Indenture, the Note Guarantees or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of the Notes” section of the Company’s Offering Memorandum, to the extent that such provision in that “Description of the Notes” was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture, the Note Guarantees or the Notes;

(7) provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in this Indenture as of the Issue Date;

(8) allow any Guarantor to execute a supplemental indenture and/or a Note Guarantee with respect to the Notes; or

(9) evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under this Indenture of a successor Trustee.

Upon the request of the Company and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee will join with the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee will not be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

 

Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders of Notes.

Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture (including, without limitation, Sections 3.09, 4.10 and 4.15 hereof) and the Notes and the Note Guarantees with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including, without limitation, Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Notes), and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or Additional Interest, if any, or interest on, the Notes,

 

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except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including, without limitation, Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Notes). Section 2.08 hereof shall determine which Notes are considered to be “outstanding” for purposes of this Section 9.02.

Upon the request of the Company and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee will join with the Company and the Guarantors in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but will not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture.

It is not necessary for the consent of the Holders of Notes under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it is sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company will deliver to the Holders of Notes affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to deliver such notice, or any defect therein, will not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver. Subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees. However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):

(1) reduce the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(2) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Note, or reduce any amount payable on any redemption of the Notes or the initial non-call periods during which the Notes may not be redeemed;

(3) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest, including default interest, on any Note;

(4) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or Additional Interest, if any, or interest on, the Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

(5) make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the Notes;

(6) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders to receive payments of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, or Additional Interest, if any, on, the Notes;

(7) waive a redemption payment with respect to any Note (other than a payment required by Sections 3.09, 4.10 or 4.15 hereof);

(8) release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Note Guarantee or this Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;

 

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(9) make any change to, or modify the ranking of, the Notes that would adversely affect the Holders of the Notes; or

(10) make any change in the preceding amendment and waiver provisions in Sections 9.01 and 9.02.

 

Section 9.03 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.

Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes will be set forth in an amended or supplemental indenture that complies with the TIA as then in effect.

The Company may, in the circumstances permitted by the TIA, set any day as the record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of outstanding Notes entitled to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver, or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of the Notes.

 

Section 9.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents.

Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

 

Section 9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Notes.

The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. Alternatively, the Company in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note will not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

Section 9.06 Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

The Trustee will sign any amended or supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. The Company may not sign an amended or supplemental indenture until the Board of Directors of the Company approves it. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee will be entitled to receive and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) will be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 13.04 hereof, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that it will be the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company and the Guarantors in accordance with its terms.

 

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ARTICLE 10

[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.]

ARTICLE 11

NOTE GUARANTEES

 

Section 11.01 Guarantee.

(a) Subject to this Article 11, each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Company hereunder or thereunder, that:

(1) the principal of, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, and interest on, the Notes will be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and all other Obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and

(2) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.

Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

(b) The Guarantors hereby agree that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, their obligations hereunder are unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor. Each Guarantor hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenant that this Note Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture.

(c) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Company or the Guarantors, any amount paid by either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Note Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, will be reinstated in full force and effect.

(d) Each Guarantor agrees that it will not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (1) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 hereof for the purposes of this Note Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (2) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) will forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Note Guarantee. The Guarantors will have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Note Guarantee.

 

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Section 11.02 [Intentionally Omitted.]

 

Section 11.03 Limitation on Guarantor Liability.

Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Note Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Guarantor will be limited to the maximum amount that will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article 11, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Note Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

 

Section 11.04 Execution and Delivery of Note Guarantee.

To evidence its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 11.01 hereof, each Guarantor hereby agrees that a notation of such Note Guarantee substantially in the form attached as Exhibit E hereto will be endorsed by an Officer of such Guarantor on each Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and that this Indenture will be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by one of its Officers.

Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 11.01 hereof will remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of such Note Guarantee.

If an Officer whose signature is on this Indenture or on the Note Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note on which a Note Guarantee is endorsed, the Note Guarantee will be valid nevertheless.

The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, will constitute due delivery of the Note Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.

In the event that the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries creates or acquires any Domestic Subsidiary after the Issue Date, if required by Section 4.20 hereof, the Company will cause such Domestic Subsidiary to comply with the provisions of Section 4.20 hereof and this Article 11, to the extent applicable.

 

Section 11.05 Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms.

Except as otherwise provided in Section 11.06 hereof, no Guarantor may sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to, or consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person) another Person, other than the Company or another Guarantor, unless:

(1) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; and

(2) either:

(a) (i) such Guarantor shall be the Person surviving any such consolidation or merger or (ii) the Person acquiring the assets in any such sale or other disposition or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger unconditionally assumes all the obligations of that Guarantor under this Indenture, its Note Guarantee and the Registration Rights Agreement (if such Guarantor’s registration obligations thereunder have not been completed) on the terms set forth herein or therein, pursuant to a supplemental indenture satisfactory to the Trustee; or

 

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(b) such sale or other disposition does not violate Section 4.10 hereof.

In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance and upon the assumption by the successor Person, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the Note Guarantee endorsed upon the Notes and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Guarantor, such successor Person will succeed to and be substituted for the Guarantor with the same effect as if it had been named herein as a Guarantor. Such successor Person thereupon may cause to be signed any or all of the Note Guarantees to be endorsed upon all of the Notes issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee. All the Note Guarantees so issued will in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Note Guarantees theretofore and thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Note Guarantees had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

Except as set forth in Articles 4 and 5 hereof, and notwithstanding clauses 2(a) and 2(b) in this Section 11.05, nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Notes will prevent any consolidation or merger of a Guarantor with or into the Company or another Guarantor, or will prevent any sale or conveyance of the property of a Guarantor as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Company or another Guarantor.

 

Section 11.06 Releases.

(a) In the event of any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets or all of the Capital Stock of any Guarantor, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, or a sale or other disposition of all of the Capital Stock of any Guarantor, in each case to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transactions) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, then such Guarantor (in the event of a sale or other disposition, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, of all of the Capital Stock of such Guarantor) or the corporation acquiring the property (in the event of a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of such Guarantor) will be released and relieved of any obligations under its Note Guarantee; provided that the Net Proceeds of such sale or other disposition are applied in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.10 hereof. Upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such sale or other disposition was made by the Company in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.10 hereof, the Trustee will execute any documents reasonably required in order to evidence the release of any Guarantor from its obligations under its Note Guarantee.

(b) Upon designation of any Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, such Guarantor will be released and relieved of any obligations under its Note Guarantee.

(c) Upon defeasance in accordance with Article 8 hereof or satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture in accordance with Article 12 hereof, each Guarantor will be released and relieved of any obligations under its Note Guarantee.

(d) Upon the contemporaneous release or discharge of all Guarantees by such Guarantor which would have required such Guarantor to guarantee the Notes pursuant to Section 4.20, each Guarantor will be released and relieved of any obligations under its Note Guarantee.

Any Guarantor not released from its obligations under its Note Guarantee as provided in this Section 11.06 will remain liable for the full amount of principal of and interest and premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes and for the other obligations of any Guarantor under this Indenture as provided in this Article 11.

 

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ARTICLE 12

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

 

Section 12.01 Satisfaction and Discharge.

This Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all Notes issued hereunder, when:

(1) either:

(a) all Notes that have been authenticated, except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Company, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(b) all Notes that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the delivery of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and payable within one year and the Company or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the Notes not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption;

(2) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit) and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Guarantor is bound;

(3) the Company or any Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture; and

(4) the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee under this Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or on the Redemption Date, as the case may be.

In addition, the Company must deliver an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money has been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (b) of clause (1) of this Section 12.01, the provisions of Sections 12.02 and 8.06 hereof will survive. In addition, nothing in this Section 12.01 will be deemed to discharge those provisions of Section 7.07 hereof, that, by their terms, survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

 

Section 12.02 Application of Trust Money.

Subject to the provisions of Section 8.06 hereof, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 12.01 hereof shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium and Additional Interest, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

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If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Securities in accordance with Section 12.01 hereof by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s and any Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 12.01 hereof; provided that if the Company has made any payment of principal of, premium or Additional Interest, if any, or interest on, any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or Government Securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 13

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 13.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls.

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by TIA §318(c), the imposed duties will control.

 

Section 13.02 Notices.

Any notice or communication by the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in Person or by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile transmission or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:

If to the Company and/or any Guarantor:

NN, Inc.

207 Mockingbird Lane

Johnson City, TN 37604

Facsimile No.: (423) 743-2670

Attention: James H. Dorton, Senior Vice President – Chief Financial Officer

With a copy to:

NN, Inc.

207 Mockingbird Lane

Johnson City, TN 37604

Facsimile No.: (423) 434-8389

Attention: Matthew S. Heiter, Senior Vice President and General Counsel

and

Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC

First Tennessee Building

165 Madison Avenue, Suite 2000

Memphis, TN 38103

Facsimile No.: (901) 577-4234

Attention: Richard F. Mattern, Esq.

If to the Trustee:

U.S. Bank National Association

Corporate Trust Services

333 Commerce Street, Suite 800

Nashville, TN, 37201

Facsimile No.: (615) 251-0737

Attention: Wally Jones

 

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With a copy to:

Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP

511 Union Street, Suite 2700

Nashville, TN 37219

Facsimile No.: (615) 244-6804

Attention: Beth Vessel

The Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) will be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if transmitted by facsimile; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

Any notice or communication to a Holder will be mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. Any notice or communication will also be so mailed to any Person described in TIA § 313(c), to the extent required by the TIA. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it will not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

If the Company mails a notice or communication to Holders, it will mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

 

Section 13.03 Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.

Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).

 

Section 13.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

Except, as otherwise provided in this Section 13.04, upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

(1) an Officer’s Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 13.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and

(2) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 13.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.

Notwithstanding any provision in this Indenture to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel in connection with the issuance of the Initial Notes on the Issue Date or the issuance of the Exchange Notes in connection with the consummation of the Exchange Offer.

 

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Section 13.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than an Officer’s Certificate provided pursuant to Section 4.04 hereof or a certificate provided pursuant to TIA § 314(a)(4)) must comply with the provisions of TIA § 314(e) and must include:

(1) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(3) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary, which may include reliance on certifications or representations provided or made by others, to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been satisfied; and

(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied.

 

Section 13.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents.

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

 

Section 13.07 No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees, Incorporators and Stockholders.

No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture, the Note Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

 

Section 13.08 Governing Law.

THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

 

Section 13.09 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

 

Section 13.10 Successors.

All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Notes will bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture will bind its successors. All agreements of each Guarantor in this Indenture will bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 11.06 hereof.

 

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Section 13.11 Severability.

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

 

Section 13.12 Counterpart Originals.

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy will be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

 

Section 13.13 Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and Headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and will in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

Section 13.14 Waiver of Jury Trial.

EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE GUARANTORS AND THE TRUSTEE, AND BY ITS ACCEPTANCE THEREOF, EACH HOLDER OF A NOTE, HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES, THE NOTE GUARANTEES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

[Signatures on following page]

 

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SIGNATURES

Dated as of October 19, 2015

 

NN, INC.
By:  

/s/ Richard D. Holder

  Name: Richard D. Holder
  Title: Chief Executive Officer and President
INDUSTRIAL MOLDING CORPORATION , as a Guarantor
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
WHIRLAWAY CORPORATION , as a Guarantor
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
PNC ACQUISITION COMPANY, INC. , as a Guarantor
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
PMC ACQUISITION COMPANY, INC. , as a Guarantor
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President

 

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PMC USA ACQUISITION COMPANY, INC. , as a Guarantor
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
THE DELTA RUBBER COMPANY , as a Guarantor
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
CAPROCK MANUFACTURING, INC. , as a Guarantor
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
CAPROCK ENCLOSURES, LLC , as a Guarantor
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
NN PRECISION PLASTICS, INC. , as a Guarantor
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
AUTOCAM CORPORATION , as a Guarantor
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President

 

S-2


AUTOCAM-PAX, INC. , as the Guarantor
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
By:  

/s/ Connie Jaco

  Name: Connie Jaco
  Title: Assistant Vice President

 

S-3


EXHIBIT A

[Face of Note]

CUSIP/CINS            

10.25% Senior Notes due 2020

 

No.     

   $                

NN, INC.

promises to pay to                                        or registered assigns,

the principal sum of                     DOLLARS, or such other principal sum as shall be set forth in the Schedule of Exchanges of Interests attached hereto, on November 1, 2020.

Interest Payment Dates: May 1 and November 1

Record Dates: April 15 and October 15

Dated: October 19, 2015

 

NN, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

This is one of the Notes referred to

in the within-mentioned Indenture:

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

 

By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

 

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[Back of Note]

10.25% Senior Notes due 2020

[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

(1) I NTEREST . NN, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 10.25% per annum from October 19, 2015, until maturity and shall pay the Additional Interest, if any, payable pursuant to Section 4 of the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. The Company will pay interest and Additional Interest, if any, semi-annually in arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “ Interest Payment Date ”). Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance; provided that if there is no existing Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; provided , further , that the first Interest Payment Date shall be May 1, 2016. The Company will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at a rate that is equal to the rate then in effect to the extent lawful; The Company will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Additional Interest, if any, (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

(2) M ETHOD OF P AYMENT . The Company will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) and Additional Interest, if any, to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the April 15 or October 15 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes will be payable as to principal, premium, if any and Additional Interest, if any, and interest at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose within or without the City and State of New York, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest and Additional Interest, if any, may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders; provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of and interest, premium, if any and Additional Interest, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which will have provided wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent. Such payment will be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

(3) P AYING A GENT AND R EGISTRAR . Initially, U.S. Bank National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

(4) I NDENTURE . The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of October 19, 2015 (the “ Indenture ”) among the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “ TIA ”). The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling. The Notes are unsecured obligations of the Company. The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be issued thereunder.

(5) O PTIONAL R EDEMPTION .

(a) Except as set forth in subparagraphs (b) and (c) of this Paragraph 5, the Company will not have the option to redeem the Notes prior to November 1, 2017. On or after November 1, 2017, the Company on any one or

 

A-2


more occasions may redeem all or a part of the Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed to the applicable Redemption Date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on November 1 of the years indicated below, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2017

     107.688

2018

     103.844

2019 and thereafter

     100.000

Unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on the applicable Redemption Date.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph 5, at any time on or prior to November 1, 2017 the Company on any one or more occasions may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under the Indenture (including any Additional Notes issued after the Issue Date) at a redemption price equal to 110.250% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the Redemption Date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more sales of common Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company; provided that at least 65% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes issued under the Indenture (including any Additional Notes issued after the Issue Date but excluding Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption and that such redemption occurs within 90 days of the date of the closing of such sale of Equity Interests.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph 5, at any time prior to November 1, 2017 the Company on any one or more occasions may redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to, the date of redemption.

(1) Applicable Premium means, with respect to a Note at any date of redemption, the greater of (i) 1.0% of the outstanding principal amount of such Note and (ii) the excess of (A) the present value at such time of (1) the redemption price of such Note at November 1, 2017 (as set forth in the table in subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph 5) plus (2) all required interest payments due on such Note through November 1, 2017 computed, in both cases, using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points, over (B) the outstanding principal amount of such Note.

(2) Treasury Rate means the yield to maturity at the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) which has become publicly available at least two business days prior to the date of redemption (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the date of redemption to November 1, 2017; provided , however, that if the period from the date of redemption to November 1, 2017 is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which a weekly average yield is given, the Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are given, except that if the period from the date of redemption to November 1, 2017 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.

(d) The Indenture does not prohibit the Company and its Subsidiaries from purchasing Notes in the open market or otherwise at any time or from time to time.

(6) M ANDATORY R EDEMPTION . The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

 

A-3


(7) R EPURCHASE AT THE O PTION OF H OLDER .

(a) If there is a Change of Control, the Company will be required to make an offer (a “ Change of Control Offer ”) to each Holder to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) of each Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, thereon to the date of purchase, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date (the “ Change of Control Payment ”); provided that the unrepurchased portion of the Notes of any Holder must be equal to $2,000 in principal amount or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Company will deliver a notice to each Holder setting forth the procedures governing the Change of Control Offer as required by the Indenture.

(b) If the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company consummates any Asset Sales, on which the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $40.0 million (or such lesser amount that the Company determines), the Company will commence an offer to all Holders of Notes and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in the Indenture with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets (an “ Asset Sale Offer ”) pursuant to Section 3.09 of the Indenture to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes (including any Additional Notes) and such other pari passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, thereon to the date of purchase, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture. To the extent that the aggregate amount of Notes (including any Additional Notes) and other pari passu Indebtedness tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, the Company (or such Restricted Subsidiary) may use such deficiency for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by the Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis, subject to The Depository Trust Company’s procedures applicable to global notes. Holders of Notes that are the subject of an offer to purchase will receive an Asset Sale Offer from the Company prior to any related purchase date and may elect to have such Notes purchased by completing the form entitled “ Option of Holder to Elect Purchase ” attached to the Notes.

(8) N OTICE OF R EDEMPTION . Notice of redemption will be delivered at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address or otherwise delivered in accordance with the procedures of the Depository Trust Company, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction or discharge of the Indenture. No Notes of $2,000 or less can be redeemed in part, and the unredeemed portion of the Notes of any Holder must be equal to $2,000 in principal amount or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, unless the entire outstanding amount of all of the Notes held by a Holder is to be redeemed.

(9) D ENOMINATIONS , T RANSFER , E XCHANGE . The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the corresponding Interest Payment Date.

(10) P ERSONS D EEMED O WNERS . The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

(11) A MENDMENT , S UPPLEMENT AND W AIVER . Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes including Additional Notes, if any, voting as a single class

 

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(including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes), and any existing Default or Event or Default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be waived with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes including Additional Notes, if any, voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes). Without the consent of any Holder of a Note, the Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be amended or supplemented to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, to provide for the assumption of the Company’s or a Guarantor’s obligations to Holders of the Notes and Note Guarantees in case of a merger or consolidation, or sale of all or substantially all of the Company or such Guarantor’s assets, as applicable, to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any such Holder, to comply with the requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the TIA, to conform the text of the Indenture or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of the Notes” section of the Company’s Offering Memorandum, to the extent that such provision in that “Description of the Notes” was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the Indenture, the Note Guarantees or the Notes; to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in the Indenture; to allow any Guarantor to execute a supplemental indenture to the Indenture and/or a Note Guarantee with respect to the Notes; or to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under the Indenture of a successor Trustee.

(12) D EFAULTS AND R EMEDIES . Events of Default include: (i) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on, or Additional Interest, if any, with respect to the Notes; (ii) default in the payment when due of the principal of, or premium, if any, on, the Notes when the same becomes due and payable at maturity, upon redemption (including in connection with an offer to purchase) or otherwise; (iii) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with Section 5.01 of the Indenture; (iv) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with Section 4.03 of the Indenture for 90 days after notice to the Company by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes including Additional Notes, if any, then outstanding to comply with any of the other agreements in the Indenture or the Notes; (v) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with any of the other agreements in this Indenture for 60 days after written notice to the Company by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding; (vi) default under certain other agreements relating to Indebtedness of the Company which default results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its Stated Maturity; (vii) certain final judgments for the payment of money that remain undischarged for a period of 60 days; (viii) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; (ix) except as permitted by the Indenture, any Note Guarantee by a Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary of the Company is held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect or any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary of the Company, or any Person acting on its behalf denies or disaffirms its obligations under such Guarantor’s Note Guarantee. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may by written notice to the Company declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes, rescind an acceleration or waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest or premium, if any, or Additional Interest, if any, on, or the principal of, the Notes. The Company is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Company is required, within 30 days of becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default that has occurred and is continuing, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default.

(13) T RUSTEE D EALINGS WITH C OMPANY . The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

 

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(14) N O R ECOURSE A GAINST O THERS . A director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company or any of the Guarantors, as such, will not have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Note Guarantees or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes.

(15) A UTHENTICATION . This Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

(16) A BBREVIATIONS . Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

(17) A DDITIONAL R IGHTS OF H OLDERS OF R ESTRICTED G LOBAL N OTES AND R ESTRICTED D EFINITIVE N OTES . In addition to the rights provided to Holders of Notes under the Indenture, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes will have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of October 19, 2015, among the Company, the Guarantors and the other parties named on the signature pages thereof or, in the case of Additional Notes, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes will have the rights set forth in one or more registration rights agreements, if any, among the Company, the Guarantors and the other parties thereto, relating to rights given by the Company and the Guarantors to the purchasers of any Additional Notes (collectively, the “ Registration Rights Agreement ”).

(18) CUSIP N UMBERS . Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes, and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption, and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

(19) GOVERNING LAW. THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE, THIS NOTE AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture and/or the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to:

NN, Inc.

207 Mockingbird Lane

Johnson City, TN 37604

Facsimile No.: (423) 743-2670

Attention: James H. Dorton, Senior Vice President – Chief Financial Officer

With a copy to:

NN, Inc.

207 Mockingbird Lane

Johnson City, TN 37604

Facsimile No.: (423) 434-8389

Attention: Matthew S. Heiter, Senior Vice President and General Counsel

 

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A SSIGNMENT F ORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note

to:

 

 

(Insert assignee’s legal name)

 

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint                                                             to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

Date:                    

 

Your Signature:

 

 

  (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

 

Signature Guarantee*:

 

 

 

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-7


O PTION OF H OLDER TO E LECT P URCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.15 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

¨  Section 4.10                      ¨  Section 4.15

If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.15 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

$            

Date:                     

 

Your Signature:  

 

  (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

 

Tax Identification No.:

      

 

Signature Guarantee*:

 

 

 

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-8


S CHEDULE OF E XCHANGES OF I NTERESTS IN THE G LOBAL N OTE *

The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of Exchange

  

Amount of decrease

in Principal Amount

of this Global Note

  

Amount of increase

in Principal Amount

of this Global Note

  

Principal Amount

of this Global Note

following such

decrease (or increase)

  

Signature of

authorized officer of

Trustee or Custodian

 

 

* This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form .

 

A-9


EXHIBIT B

F ORM OF CERTIFICATE OF T RANSFER

NN, Inc.

207 Mockingbird Lane

Johnson City, TN 37604

U.S. Bank National Association

Corporate Trust Services

333 Commerce Street, Suite 800

Nashville, TN, 37201

Attention: Wally Jones

 

  Re: 10.25% Senior Notes due 2020

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of October 19, 2015 (the “ Indenture ”), among NN, Inc., as issuer (the “ Company ”), the Guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

                    , (the “ Transferor ”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $                    in such Note[s] or interests (the “ Transfer ”), to                                         (the “ Transferee ”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:

[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

1. ¨ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Rule 144A . The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the 144A Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

2. ¨ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Regulation S . The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a Person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act and (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred

 

B-1


beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Regulation S Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

3. ¨ Check and complete if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the IAI Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to any provision of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A or Regulation S . The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):

(a) ¨ such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act;

or

(b) ¨ such Transfer is being effected to the Company or a subsidiary thereof;

or

(c) ¨ such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act;

or

(d) ¨ such Transfer is being effected to an Institutional Accredited Investor and pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A, Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904, and the Transferor hereby further certifies that it has not engaged in any general solicitation within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act and the Transfer complies with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in a Restricted Global Note or Restricted Definitive Notes and the requirements of the exemption claimed, which certification is supported by (1) a certificate executed by the Transferee in the form of Exhibit D to the Indenture and (2) if such Transfer is in respect of a principal amount of Notes at the time of transfer of less than $250,000, an Opinion of Counsel provided by the Transferor or the Transferee (a copy of which the Transferor has attached to this certification), to the effect that such Transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the IAI Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

4. ¨ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or of an Unrestricted Definitive Note .

(a) ¨ Check if Transfer is pursuant to Rule 144. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(b) ¨ Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Regulation S. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with

 

B-2


the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(c) ¨ Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Other Exemption. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Dated:                     

 

B-3


A NNEX A TO C ERTIFICATE OF T RANSFER

 

1. The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:

[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]

 

  (a) ¨ a beneficial interest in the:

 

  (i) ¨ 144 Global Note (CUSIP             ), or

 

  (ii) ¨ Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP             ), or

 

  (iii) ¨ IAI Global Note (CUSIP             ), or

 

  (b) ¨ a Restricted Definitive Note.

 

2. After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:

[CHECK ONE]

 

  (a) ¨ a beneficial interest in the:

 

  (i) ¨ 144 Global Note (CUSIP             ), or

 

  (ii) ¨ Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP             ), or

 

  (iii) ¨ IAI Global Note (CUSIP             ), or

 

  (iv) ¨ Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP             ); or

 

  (b) ¨ a Restricted Definitive Note; or

 

  (c) ¨ an Unrestricted Definitive Note,

in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

B-4


EXHIBIT C

F ORM OF C ERTIFICATE OF E XCHANGE

NN, Inc.

207 Mockingbird Lane

Johnson City, TN 37604

U.S. Bank National Association

Corporate Trust Services

333 Commerce Street, Suite 800

Nashville, TN, 37201

Attention: Wally Jones

 

  Re: 10.25% Senior Notes due 2020
       (CUSIP             )

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of October 19, 2015 (the “ Indenture ”), among NN, Inc., as issuer (the “ Company ”), the Guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

                    , (the “ Owner ”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of $        in such Note[s] or interests (the “ Exchange ”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:

1. Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Unrestricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note .

(a) ¨ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note . In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

(b) ¨ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note . In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

(c) ¨ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note . In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

C-1


(d) ¨ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note . In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

2. Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes for Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes .

(a) ¨ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Restricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

(b) ¨ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note . In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE] ¨  144A Global Note, ¨ Regulation S Global Note, ¨ IAI Global Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Dated:                     

 

C-2


EXHIBIT D

F ORM OF C ERTIFICATE FROM

A CQUIRING I NSTITUTIONAL A CCREDITED I NVESTOR

NN, Inc.

207 Mockingbird Lane

Johnson City, TN 37604

U.S. Bank National Association

Corporate Trust Services

333 Commerce Street, Suite 800

Nashville, TN, 37201

Attention: Wally Jones

 

  Re: 10.25% Senior Notes due 2020

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of October 19, 2015 (the “ Indenture ”), among NN, Inc., as issuer (the “ Company ”), the Guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

In connection with our proposed purchase of $        aggregate principal amount of:

 

  (a) ¨ a beneficial interest in a Global Note, or

 

  (b) ¨ a Definitive Note,

we confirm that:

1. We understand that any subsequent transfer of the Notes or any interest therein is subject to certain restrictions and conditions set forth in the Indenture and the undersigned agrees to be bound by, and not to resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the Notes or any interest therein except in compliance with, such restrictions and conditions and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”).

2. We understand that the offer and sale of the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act, and that the Notes and any interest therein may not be offered or sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree, on our own behalf and on behalf of any accounts for which we are acting as hereinafter stated, that if we should sell the Notes or any interest therein, we will do so only (A) to the Company or any subsidiary thereof, (B) in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act to a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined therein), (C) to an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined below) that, prior to such transfer, furnishes (or has furnished on its behalf by a U.S. broker-dealer) to you and to the Company a signed letter substantially in the form of this letter and, if such transfer is in respect of a principal amount of Notes, at the time of transfer of less than $250,000, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act, (D) outside the United States in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (E) pursuant to the provisions of Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act or (F) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, and we further agree to provide to any Person purchasing the Definitive Note or beneficial interest in a Global Note from us in a transaction meeting the requirements of clauses (A) through (E) of this paragraph a notice advising such purchaser that resales thereof are restricted as stated herein.

3. We understand that, on any proposed resale of the Notes or beneficial interest therein, we will be required to furnish to you and the Company such certifications, legal opinions and other information as you and the Company may reasonably require to confirm that the proposed sale complies with the foregoing restrictions. We further understand that the Notes purchased by us will bear a legend to the foregoing effect.

 

D-1


4. We are an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act) and have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Notes, and we and any accounts for which we are acting are each able to bear the economic risk of our or its investment.

5. We are acquiring the Notes or beneficial interest therein purchased by us for our own account or for one or more accounts (each of which is an institutional “accredited investor”) as to each of which we exercise sole investment discretion.

You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.

 

[Insert Name of Accredited Investor]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Dated:                     

 

D-2


EXHIBIT E

F ORM OF N OTATION OF G UARANTEE

For value received, each Guarantor (which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture) has, jointly and severally, unconditionally guaranteed, to the extent set forth in the Indenture and subject to the provisions in the Indenture dated as of October 19, 2015 (the “ Indenture ”) among NN, Inc. (the “ Company ”), the Guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”), (a) the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, and interest on, the Notes, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest on overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee all in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. The obligations of the Guarantors to the Holders of Notes and to the Trustee pursuant to the Note Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article 11 of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Note Guarantee.

Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

 

[N AME OF G UARANTOR ( S )]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

E-1


EXHIBIT F

F ORM OF S UPPLEMENTAL I NDENTURE

TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS

S UPPLEMENTAL I NDENTURE (this “ Supplemental Indenture ”), dated as of             , 20    , among the entities listed on the signature pages hereto (each, a “ Guaranteeing Subsidiary ” and collectively, the “ Guaranteeing Subsidiaries ”), each a subsidiary of NN, Inc. (or its permitted successor), a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (the “ Trustee ”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture (the “ Indenture ”), dated as of October 19, 2015 providing for the issuance of 10.25% Senior Notes due 2020 (the “ Notes ”);

WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that, under certain circumstances, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Company’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein (the “ Note Guarantee ”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, each Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders as follows:

1. C APITALIZED T ERMS . Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

2. A GREEMENT TO G UARANTEE . Each Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby agrees to provide an unconditional Guarantee on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Note Guarantee and in the Indenture including but not limited to Article 11 thereof, and a notation of such Note Guarantee in the Form of Exhibit E to the Indenture.

3. N O R ECOURSE A GAINST O THERS . No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, shareholder or agent of any Guaranteeing Subsidiary, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Notes, any Note Guarantees, the Indenture or this Supplemental Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of the Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. Such waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.

4. NEW YORK LAW TO GOVERN. THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

5. C OUNTERPARTS . The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

 

F-1


6. E FFECT OF H EADINGS . The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

7. T HE T RUSTEE . The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture, the Note Guarantee of each Guaranteeing Subsidiary, or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by each Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Company.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed and attested, all as of the date first above written.

Dated:             , 20        

 

[GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
NN, INC.
By:  

 

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Senior Vice President - Chief Financial Officer
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

 

F-2

Exhibit 4.3

S UPPLEMENTAL I NDENTURE

S UPPLEMENTAL I NDENTURE (this “ Supplemental Indenture ”), dated as of October 19, 2015, among the entities listed on the signature pages hereto (each, a “ Guaranteeing Subsidiary ” and collectively, the “ Guaranteeing Subsidiaries ”), each a subsidiary of NN, Inc. (or its permitted successor), a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (the “ Trustee ”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture (the “ Indenture ”), dated as of October 19, 2015 providing for the issuance of 10.25% Senior Notes due 2020 (the “ Notes ”);

WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that, under certain circumstances, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Company’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein (the “ Note Guarantee ”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, each Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders as follows:

1. C APITALIZED T ERMS . Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

2. A GREEMENT TO G UARANTEE . Each Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby agrees to provide an unconditional Guarantee on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Note Guarantee and in the Indenture including but not limited to Article 11 thereof, and a notation of such Note Guarantee in the Form of Exhibit E to the Indenture.

3. N O R ECOURSE A GAINST O THERS . No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, shareholder or agent of any Guaranteeing Subsidiary, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Notes, any Note Guarantees, the Indenture or this Supplemental Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of the Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. Such waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.

4. NEW YORK LAW TO GOVERN. THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.


5. C OUNTERPARTS . The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

6. E FFECT OF H EADINGS . The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

7. T HE T RUSTEE . The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture, the Note Guarantee of each Guaranteeing Subsidiary, or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by each Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Company.

[Signatures on following page]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed and attested, all as of the date first above written.

Dated: October 19, 2015

 

GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARIES:
PRECISION ENGINEERED PRODUCTS HOLDINGS, INC.
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
PRECISION ENGINEERED PRODUCTS LLC
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
BRAININ-ADVANCE INDUSTRIES LLC
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
POLYMETALLURGICAL LLC
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
BOSTON ENDO-SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President

[Signature Page to Supplemental Indenture]


LACEY MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
CONNECTICUT PLASTICS LLC
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
WAUCONDA TOOL & ENGINEERING LLC
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
ADVANCED PRECISION PRODUCTS, INC.
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
HOWESTEMCO, LLC
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
PREMCO, INC.
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President

[Signature Page to Supplemental Indenture]


PROFILES INCORPORATED
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
HOLMED, LLC
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
GENERAL METAL FINISHING LLC
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
MATRIX I, LLC
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
TRIGON INTERNATIONAL LLC
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President

[Signature Page to Supplemental Indenture]


COMPANY:
NN, INC.
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Senior Vice President - Chief Financial
            Officer

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

By:  

/s/ Connie Jaco

  Authorized Signatory

[Signature Page to Supplemental Indenture]

Exhibit 10.1

Execution Version

PURCHASE AGREEMENT

October 16, 2015

S UNTRUST R OBINSON H UMPHREY , I NC .

As Representative of the Initial Purchasers

303 Peachtree Street, 10th Floor

Atlanta, GA 30308

Ladies and Gentlemen:

NN, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), proposes to issue and sell to SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. (“ SunTrust ”) and the other several Initial Purchasers named in Schedule A-1 attached hereto (collectively, the “ Initial Purchasers ”), acting severally and not jointly, the respective amounts set forth in such Schedule A-1 of $300,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 10.25% Senior Notes due 2020 (the “ Notes ”), which will initially be unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis as to principal, premium, if any, and interest (the “ NN Guarantees ”) by the subsidiaries of the Company listed on Schedule B-1 hereto (each individually, an “ NN Guarantor ” and collectively, the “ NN Guarantors ”). The Notes and the Guarantees (as defined below) attached thereto are herein collectively referred to as the “ Securities ”; and the Exchange Notes (as defined below) and the Guarantees attached thereto are herein collectively referred to as the “ Exchange Securities .” The Securities will be issued pursuant to an indenture, to be dated as of October 19, 2015 (the “ Initial Indenture ”), among the Company, the NN Guarantors and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”). SunTrust has agreed to act as the representative of the several Initial Purchasers (the “ Representative ”) in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities.

The Notes are being issued in connection with the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Precision Engineered Products Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ PEP ” and, together with its consolidated subsidiaries listed on Schedule B-2 hereto, the “ PEP Guarantors ” and, together with the NN Guarantors, the “ Guarantors ”), by the Company (the “ Acquisition ”) pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 17, 2015, among the Company, PEP and PEP Industries, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (as amended, supplemented or modified and in effect from time to time, the “ Acquisition Agreement ”). Upon consummation of the Acquisition, PEP will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.

The Company intends to enter into new senior secured credit facilities in connection with the Acquisition (the “ Senior Credit Facility ”, and the documents, agreements or instruments delivered in connection therewith, the “ Senior Credit Facility Documentation ”).

Upon consummation of the Acquisition, the PEP Guarantors will enter into (i) a joinder agreement (the “ Joinder Agreement ”) substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B and (ii) a supplemental indenture (the “ Supplemental Indenture ”) with the Trustee pursuant to


which the PEP Guarantors will guarantee (the “ PEP Guarantees ” and, together with the NN Guarantees, the “ Guarantees ”) the Notes. As used herein, the term “ Indenture ” shall mean the Initial Indenture, as supplemented by the Supplemental Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires.

The holders of the Securities (including the Initial Purchasers) will be entitled to the benefits of a registration rights agreement, to be dated as of October 19, 2015 (the “ Registration Rights Agreement ”), among the Company, the NN Guarantors and the Representative, pursuant to which the Company and the Guarantors will be required to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”), under the circumstances set forth therein, one or more registration statements with the Commission providing for the registration under the Securities Act of the Securities or the Exchange Securities referred to (and as defined) in the Registration Rights Agreement and the related Guarantees (the “ Exchange Offer ”). All references herein to the Exchange Securities and the Exchange Offer are only applicable if the Company and the Guarantors are in fact required to consummate the Exchange Offer pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement. Upon consummation of the Acquisition, the Company will cause each PEP Guarantor to join the Registration Rights Agreement by execution of the joinder attached thereto (the “ Registration Rights Agreement Joinder ”).

The issuance and sale of the Notes, the issuance of the Guarantees, the consummation of the Acquisition, the entry by the Company and the Guarantors into the Senior Credit Facility, the initial extensions of credit thereunder, if any, on the Closing Date, the repayment of certain borrowings under the Company’s existing credit facilities as described in the Final Offering Memorandum (as defined below) and the payment of transaction costs are referred to herein collectively, as the “ Transactions .”

This Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Securities, the Exchange Securities, the Senior Credit Facility Documentation, the Initial Indenture (including each Guarantee set forth therein), the Joinder Agreement, the Supplemental Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement Joinder are referred to herein as the “ Transaction Documents .”

The Securities are to be offered and sold to or through the Initial Purchasers without being registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) under the Securities Act of 1933 (as amended, the “ Securities Act ,” which term, as used herein, includes the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder), in reliance upon exemptions therefrom. Pursuant to the terms of the Securities and the Indenture, investors who acquire Securities shall be deemed to have agreed that Securities may only be resold or otherwise transferred, after the date hereof, if such Securities are registered for sale under the Securities Act or if an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is available (including the exemptions afforded by Rule 144A under the Securities Act (“ Rule 144A ”) or Regulation S under the Securities Act (“ Regulation S ”)). The Company agrees that the Initial Purchasers may resell, subject to the conditions set forth herein, all or a portion of the Securities to purchasers (the “ Subsequent Purchasers ”) on the terms set forth in the Final Offering Memorandum.

In connection with the sale of the Notes, the Company has prepared and delivered to each Initial Purchaser copies of a Preliminary Offering Memorandum, dated September 22, 2015 (the “ Preliminary Offering Memorandum ”) and a final offering memorandum dated the date hereof (the “ Final Offering Memorandum ”).

 

2


Following the Closing Date, in connection with the resale of the Securities, the Company shall prepare one or more Updated Final Offering Memoranda (as defined below) as provided in Section 10 hereof.

The Company hereby confirms its agreements with the Initial Purchasers as follows:

SECTION 1. Purchase, Sale and Delivery of the Securities.

(a) Each of the Company and the Guarantors agrees to issue and sell to the several Initial Purchasers all of the Securities, and subject to the conditions set forth herein and on the basis of the representations, warranties, terms and agreements herein, the Initial Purchasers agree, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company and the Guarantors the aggregate principal amount of Securities set forth opposite their names on Schedule A-1, at the purchase price set forth on Schedule A-2 payable on the Closing Date.

(b) One or more certificates for the Securities in definitive form to be purchased by the Initial Purchasers shall be delivered to, and payment therefor shall be made at, the offices of Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP (or such other place as may be agreed to by the Company and SunTrust) at 9:00 a.m. New York City time, on October 19, 2015, or such other time and date as SunTrust shall designate by notice to the Company (the time and date of such closing are called the “ Closing Date ”). The Company hereby acknowledges that circumstances under which SunTrust may provide notice to postpone the Closing Date as originally scheduled include, but are in no way limited to, any determination by the Company or the Initial Purchasers to recirculate to investors copies of an amended or supplemented Preliminary Offering Memorandum or a delay as contemplated by the provisions of Section 17 hereof.

(c) The Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to SunTrust for the accounts of the several Initial Purchasers certificates for the Securities at the Closing Date against the irrevocable release of a wire transfer of immediately available funds for the amount of the purchase price therefor. The certificates for the Securities shall be in such denominations and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of The Depository Trust Company (the “ Depositary ”), and shall be made available for inspection on the business day preceding the Closing Date at a location in New York City, as SunTrust may designate. Time shall be of the essence, and delivery at the time and place specified in this Agreement is a further condition to the obligations of the Initial Purchasers.

(d) Each Initial Purchaser severally and not jointly represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Company that:

(i) it will solicit offers for such Securities only from, and will offer such Securities only (a) to persons who it reasonably believes are “qualified institutional buyers” within the meaning of Rule 144A (“ Qualified Institutional Buyers ”) in transactions meeting the requirements of Rule 144A or (b) upon the terms and conditions set forth in Annex I to this Agreement;

 

3


(ii) it is an institutional “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act; and

(iii) it has not solicited offers for, or offered or sold, and will not solicit offers for, or offer to sell Securities in any manner involving a public offering within the meaning of Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

SECTION 2. Representations and Warranties of the Company and the Guarantors . Each of the Company and the NN Guarantors, jointly and severally, hereby represents, warrants and covenants to each Initial Purchaser (it being understood and agreed that (i) whenever reference is made to the subsidiaries of the Company in this Agreement, such phrase will be understood to refer to and include the PEP Guarantors and (ii) prior to the execution of the Joinder Agreement, all references to the Guarantors with respect to PEP and its subsidiaries or to the PEP Guarantors are made to the knowledge of the Company and the NN Guarantors, after reasonable inquiry) and, upon the execution and delivery of the Joinder Agreement, each of the PEP Guarantors, jointly and severally with the Company and the NN Guarantors, represents and warrants to each Initial Purchaser that, as of the date hereof, as of the Closing Date, as of each Sale Date (as defined below) (except as disclosed in any Updated Final Offering Memorandum on such Sale Date) and as of each Settlement Date (as defined below) (references in this Section 2 to the “ Offering Memorandum ” are to (x) the Final Offering Memorandum in the case of representations and warranties made as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date and (y) the most recent Updated Final Offering Memorandum in the case of representations and warranties made as of any Sale Date and Settlement Date occurring after delivery of an Updated Final Offering Memorandum):

(a) The Offering Memorandum. Neither (i) the Final Offering Memorandum, as of its date or (as amended or supplemented in accordance with Section 3(b), as applicable) as of the Closing Date, nor (ii) upon and after the delivery of the first Updated Final Offering Memorandum, the most recently delivered Updated Final Offering Memorandum, as of its date and as supplemented to the applicable Sale Date, as of such Sale Date and on the Settlement Date, contains or represents any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided the Company and the Guarantors make no representation or warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Initial Purchaser furnished to the Company in writing by such Initial Purchaser through the Representatives expressly for use in the Final Offering Memorandum, any updated Final Offering Memorandum or any amendment or supplement thereto, as the case may be, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by or on behalf of any Initial Purchaser consists of the information described as such in Section 7(b) hereof.

(b) No Registration Required. Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Initial Purchasers set forth in Section 1 hereof and compliance by the Initial Purchasers with their agreements set forth therein, it is not necessary in connection with the offer, sale and delivery of the Securities to the Initial Purchasers and to each Subsequent Purchaser in the manner contemplated by this Agreement and the Offering

 

4


Memorandum to register the Securities under the Securities Act or, until such time as the Exchange Securities are issued pursuant to an effective registration statement, to qualify the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “ Trust Indenture Act ,” which term, as used herein, includes the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder).

(c) Eligibility for Resale Under Rule 144A. The Securities are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A and will not be, at the Closing Date or any Sale Date or the related Settlement Date, of the same class as securities listed on a national securities exchange registered under Section 6 of the Exchange Act or quoted in a U.S. automated interdealer quotation system.

(d) No Integration of Offerings. None of the Company, its affiliates (as defined in Rule 501 under the Securities Act) (each, an “ Affiliate ”), or any person acting on its or any of their behalf (other than the Initial Purchasers, as to whom the Company makes no representation or warranty) has, directly or indirectly, solicited any offer to buy or offered to sell, or will, directly or indirectly, solicit any offer to buy or offer to sell, in the United States or to any United States citizen or resident, any security which is or would be integrated with the sale of the Securities in a manner that would require the Securities to be registered under the Securities Act.

(e) No General Solicitation. None of the Company, its Affiliates, or any person acting on its or any of their behalf (other than the Initial Purchasers, as to whom the Company makes no representation or warranty) has engaged or will engage, in connection with the offering of the Securities, in any form of general solicitation or general advertising within the meaning of Rule 502 under the Securities Act other than by means of a Permitted General Solicitation (as defined below). With respect to those Securities sold in reliance upon Regulation S, (i) none of the Company, its Affiliates or any person acting on its or their behalf (other than the Initial Purchasers, as to whom the Company makes no representation or warranty) has engaged or will engage in any directed selling efforts within the meaning of Regulation S and (ii) each of the Company and its Affiliates and any person acting on its or their behalf (other than the Initial Purchasers, as to whom the Company makes no representation or warranty) has complied and will comply with the offering restrictions set forth in Regulation S.

(f) Company Additional Written Communications; Permitted General Solicitations. The Company has not prepared, made, used, authorized, approved or distributed and will not prepare, make, use, authorize, approve or distribute any (x) written communication that constitutes an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the Securities other than (i) the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, (ii) the Final Offering Memorandum, (iii) any Updated Final Offering Memorandum and (iv) any electronic road show or other written communications other than any Permitted General Solicitation, in each case used in accordance with Section 3(b) or (y) any general solicitation other than any such solicitation (i) listed on Schedule C hereto or (ii) in accordance with Section 3(j) hereof (each such solicitation referred to in clause (i), (ii) and (iii), a “ Permitted General Solicitation ”). Each such communication or Permitted General Solicitation by the Company or its agents and representatives pursuant to clause (iv) of the preceding sentence

 

5


(each, a “ Company Additional Written Communication ”), when taken together with the Final Offering Memorandum and the most recent Updated Final Offering Memorandum did not as of the date hereof, and at the Closing Date, any Sale Date or the related Settlement Date will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that this representation, warranty and agreement shall not apply to statements in or omissions from each such Company Additional Written Communication made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Company in writing by any Initial Purchaser through the Representative expressly for use in any Company Additional Written Communication.

(g) The Purchase Agreement. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and each of the NN Guarantors.

(h) The Initial Indenture. The Initial Indenture has been duly authorized by the Company and each of the NN Guarantors and, at the Closing Date, will have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and each of the NN Guarantors and will constitute a valid and binding agreement of the Company and each of the NN Guarantors, enforceable against the Company and each of the NN Guarantors in accordance with its terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors or by general equitable principles.

(i) The Supplemental Indenture. On or prior to the Closing Date, the Supplemental Indenture will have been duly authorized by the PEP Guarantors and, when duly executed and delivered in accordance with its terms by each of the parties thereto, will constitute a valid and binding agreement of the PEP Guarantors, enforceable against the PEP Guarantors in accordance with its terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors or by general equitable principles.

(j) The Registration Rights Agreement. The Registration Rights Agreement has been duly authorized and, on the Closing Date, will have been duly executed and delivered by, and will constitute a valid and binding agreement of, the Company and each of the NN Guarantors, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors or by general equitable principles and except as rights to indemnification may be limited by applicable law.

(k) The Notes and the Guarantees. The Notes have been duly authorized for issuance and sale pursuant to this Agreement and the Initial Indenture and, at the Closing Date, will have been duly executed by the Company and, when authenticated in the manner provided for in the Initial Indenture and delivered to and paid for by the Initial Purchasers as provided in this Agreement, will constitute valid and binding obligations

 

6


of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors or by general equitable principles, and will be entitled to the benefits of the Initial Indenture. The NN Guarantees on the Closing Date when issued will be in the respective forms contemplated by the Initial Indenture and have been duly authorized for issuance pursuant to this Agreement and the Initial Indenture; the NN Guarantees, at the Closing Date, will have been duly executed by each of the NN Guarantors and, when the Notes have been authenticated in the manner provided for in the Initial Indenture and issued and delivered against payment of the purchase price therefor, the NN Guarantees will constitute valid and binding agreements of the NN Guarantors, enforceable in accordance with their terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors or by general equitable principles and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture; and on or prior to the Closing Date, the PEP Guarantees will have been duly authorized by each of the PEP Guarantors, and, when the Supplemental Indenture has been duly executed and delivered by each of the parties thereto as provided in the Initial Indenture, will be valid and legally binding obligations of each of the PEP Guarantors, enforceable against each of the PEP Guarantors in accordance with their terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors or by general equitable principles and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

(l) The Exchange Securities. The Exchange Securities (including the related Guarantees) have been duly and validly authorized for issuance by the Company, and when issued and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Exchange Offer, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws relating to or affecting enforcement of the rights and remedies of creditors or by general principles of equity and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

(m) Joinder Agreements. On or prior to the Closing Date, (i) the Joinder Agreement will have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each of the PEP Guarantors and (ii) the Registration Rights Agreement Joinder will have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each of the PEP Guarantors, and will constitute a valid and legally binding obligation of each of the PEP Guarantors, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors or by general equitable principles.

(n) Descriptions of the Transaction Documents. Each Transaction Document conforms in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the Offering Memorandum.

 

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(o) No Material Adverse Change. Except as otherwise disclosed in the Offering Memorandum (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto), subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in the Offering Memorandum (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto) there has been no material adverse change in the financial condition, business, properties, business prospects or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole (any such change is called a “ Material Adverse Change ”). Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has sustained since the date of the last audited financial statements included in the Offering Memorandum any loss or interference with its business material to the Company and its subsidiaries considered as a whole, otherwise than as set forth in the Offering Memorandum. Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Offering Memorandum, there has not been any (i) material change in the capitalization of the Company or its subsidiaries, (ii) material increase in the aggregate in the consolidated short-term or long-term debt of the Company, (iii) transaction that is material to the Company and its subsidiaries contemplated or entered into by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (iv) obligation, contingent or otherwise, directly or indirectly incurred by the Company or any subsidiary that is material to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, (v) dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company on any class of its capital stock, except for any dividend or distribution consistent with the Company’s past practice, or (vi) Material Adverse Change, in each case otherwise than as set forth in the Offering Memorandum.

(p) Independent Accountants. (i) PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, during the periods covered by the consolidated financial statements of the Company and the related schedules and notes thereto included in the Offering Memorandum on which they reported were, and currently are, an independent registered public accounting firm within the meaning of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the rules of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, (ii) Deloitte and Touche LLP, who has certified the financial statements of Autocam Corporation (“ Autocam ”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, were on the dates of its reports on such financial statements, and currently are, an independent auditor with respect to Autocam under Rule 101 of The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“ AICPA ”) Code of Professional Conduct and its interpretations and rulings and (iii) Ernst & Young LLP, during the periods covered by the consolidated financial statements of PEP and the related schedules and notes thereto included in the Offering Memorandum on which they reported were, and currently are, an independent auditor with respect to PEP under Rule 101 of The AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and its interpretations and rulings.

(q) Preparation of the Financial Statements. The consolidated financial statements of the Company included in the Offering Memorandum, together with the related schedules and notes, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Company and its subsidiaries as of the respective dates indicated and the consolidated statements of operations, cash flows and changes in stockholders’ equity for the respective periods specified, in each case in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved (except as otherwise indicated in the notes thereto) and in accordance with Regulation S-X promulgated by the Commission. The financial information of Autocam included in the Offering

 

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Memorandum fairly presents in all material respects the financial results of Autocam and its subsidiaries as of the respective dates indicated in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved. The consolidated financial statements of PEP included in the Offering Memorandum, together with the related schedules and notes, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of PEP and its subsidiaries as of the respective dates indicated and the consolidated statements of operations, cash flows and changes in stockholders’ equity for the respective periods specified, in each case in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved (except as otherwise indicated in the notes thereto). The pro forma financial information and the related notes thereto included in the Offering Memorandum have been prepared in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as applicable, and the assumptions underlying such pro forma financial information are reasonable and are set forth in the Offering Memorandum. The summary and selected consolidated financial data of each of the Company and PEP included in the Offering Memorandum fairly present in all material respects the information shown therein and have been compiled on a basis consistent with that of the consolidated financial statements of each of the Company and PEP included in the Offering Memorandum. The other financial information of each of the Company and PEP included in the Offering Memorandum has been derived from the accounting records of the Company and its subsidiaries and PEP and its subsidiaries, as applicable, and present fairly, in all material respects, the information shown thereby. The Offering Memorandum include all financial and other information required to be included in connection with the presentation of “non-GAAP financial measures” (as defined in Item 10 of Regulation S-K) therein, and the presentation of such non-GAAP financial measures therein complies with Regulation G and Item 10 of Regulation S-K, as applicable. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries and PEP and its subsidiaries do not have any material liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent (including any off-balance sheet obligations), required to be disclosed in the Offering Memorandum that are not so disclosed.

(r) Incorporation and Good Standing. The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing and in good standing as a corporation under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, with the requisite power and authority to own and lease its properties and conduct its business as described in the Offering Memorandum and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement. The Company is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation in good standing in all jurisdictions in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Change. Each of the Company’s subsidiaries has been duly incorporated or organized, as applicable, and is validly existing and in good standing as a corporation or limited liability company, as applicable, under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, as applicable, with the requisite power and authority (corporate or limited liability company, as applicable) to own and lease its properties and conduct its business as described in the Offering Memorandum. Each of the Company’s subsidiaries is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation or limited liability company, as applicable, in good standing in all jurisdictions in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification,

 

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except where the failure to be so qualified would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Change. The Company does not own or control, directly or indirectly, any corporation, association or other entity other than the subsidiaries listed in Exhibit C hereto. All of the outstanding capital stock or other equity interests of each of its subsidiaries have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by the Company, directly or indirectly through subsidiaries, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims.

(s) Capitalization. At June 30, 2015 (or in the case of an Updated Final Offering Memorandum that includes financial statements for a period subsequent to June 30, 2015, as of the last date of such period), on a consolidated basis, after giving pro forma effect to the Transactions, the Company would have an authorized and outstanding capitalization as set forth in the Offering Memorandum under the caption “Capitalization” (other than for subsequent issuances of capital stock, if any, pursuant to employee benefit plans or upon exercise of outstanding options or warrants).

(t) Solvency . Each of the Company and the Guarantors is, and immediately after the Closing Date will be, Solvent. As used herein, the term “ Solvent ” means, with respect to any person on a particular date, that on such date (i) the fair market value of the assets of such person is greater than the total amount of liabilities (including contingent liabilities) of such person, (ii) the present fair salable value of the assets of such person is greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liabilities of such person on its debt as they become absolute and matured, (iii) such person is able to realize upon its assets and pay its debts and other liabilities, including contingent obligations, as they mature and (iv) such person does not have unreasonably small capital.

(u) No Material Actions or Proceedings. There are no legal or governmental actions, suits, arbitrations or other proceedings pending as to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is the subject that, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, would reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Change or would reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and no such actions, suits or proceedings are, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened or contemplated. No labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is threatened or imminent.

(v) Non-Contravention; No Authorizations or Approvals. No consent, approval, authorization, or order of, or filing or registration with, any governmental agency or body or any court is required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except (i) such as have been made or obtained under the Securities Act, or (ii) the consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be required by state securities or “blue sky” laws. The compliance by the Company and the Guarantors with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein will not conflict with, or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a default under (i) the certificate of incorporation, by-laws, limited liability company agreement or similar organizational documents

 

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of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, as applicable, (ii) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, lease, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject, or (iii) any statute, law, order, rule or regulation of any governmental agency or body or any court applicable to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their property, assets or operations. None of the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is (i) in violation of its certificate of incorporation, by-laws, limited liability company agreement or similar organizational documents, as applicable, or (ii) in default (or, with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, would be in default) under any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, lease, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject.

(w) Intellectual Property. The Company and its subsidiaries own, possess or can acquire on commercially reasonable terms, adequate trademarks, trade names and other rights to inventions, know-how, patents, copyrights, confidential information and other intellectual property (collectively, “ intellectual property rights ”) necessary to conduct the business now operated by them, or presently employed by them, and have not received any notice of infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of others with respect to any intellectual property rights that, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, could reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Change.

(x) All Necessary Permits, etc. The Company and its subsidiaries possess such certificates, permits, licenses, approvals, consents and other authorizations (collectively, “ Governmental Licenses ”) issued by appropriate federal, state or local governmental or regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the businesses now operated by them; and the Company and its subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such Governmental Licenses; all of the Governmental Licenses are valid in full force and effect; and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries have received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such Governmental Licenses that, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Change.

(y) Title to Properties. The Company and its subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property owned by them, and good and marketable title to all other property owned by them, in each case free from mortgages, pledges, liens, security interests, claims, restrictions, encumbrances and defects of any kind, except as are described in the Offering Memorandum. All of the leases and subleases material to the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and under which the Company or any of its subsidiaries holds the properties described in the Offering Memorandum, are in full force and effect, and neither the Company nor any subsidiary has received notice that a material claim has been asserted by anyone adverse to the rights of the Company or any of its subsidiaries under any such leases or subleases, or affecting or questioning the rights of the Company or such subsidiary to the continued possession of the leased or subleased property under any such lease or sublease.

 

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(z) Tax Law Compliance. The Company and each of its subsidiaries has (i) filed on a timely basis all federal, state, local and foreign income and franchise tax returns required to be filed or have properly requested extensions thereof; and (ii) paid all taxes of the Company and its subsidiaries due and owing (including any related assessments, fines or penalties), except for taxes being contested in good faith by the appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for which reserves in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been provided. No tax deficiency has been asserted against the Company or any of its subsidiaries which has had, nor does the Company know of any tax deficiency that is likely to be asserted against the Company or any of its subsidiaries which, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, would reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Change.

(aa) Investment Company Act. Each of the Company and the Guarantors is not, and will not be, either after receipt of payment for the Securities or after the application of the proceeds therefrom as described under “Use of Proceeds” in the Offering Memorandum, required to register as an “investment company” as such term is defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

(bb) Insurance . Each of the Company and its subsidiaries is insured by recognized and reputable institutions with policies in such amounts and with such deductibles and covering such risks as are generally deemed adequate and customary for their businesses, including, but not limited to, policies covering professional liability, as well as for claims involving bodily injury and property damage. The Company has no reason to believe that it or any of its subsidiaries will not be able (i) to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such policies expire or (ii) to obtain comparable coverage from similar institutions as may be necessary or appropriate to conduct its business as now conducted and at a cost that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Change. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has been denied any insurance coverage which it has sought or for which it has applied.

(cc) No Stabilization or Manipulation. None of the Company or any of the Guarantors has taken or will take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that might be reasonably expected to cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

(dd) Sarbanes-Oxley. Neither the Company or any subsidiary, nor to its knowledge, any of their respective directors, members or managers, as applicable, or officers, in their capacities as such, is in breach or violation of any provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith.

(ee) Internal Accounting Controls. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific

 

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authorization, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain accountability for assets, (iii) access to its assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

(ff) Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The Company maintains a system of internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that complies with the requirements of the Exchange Act and has been designed by the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or under their supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. As of the date hereof, the Company is not aware of (i) any “significant deficiency” or “material weakness” (in each case, as defined in Public Company Oversight Board Standard No. 5) in the Company’s internal control over reporting, whether or not subsequently remediated, or (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) that comply with the requirements of the Exchange Act, which controls and procedures (i) are designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to the Company’s principal executive officer and its principal financial officer by others within those entities, particularly during the periods in which the periodic reports required under the Exchange Act are being prepared and (ii) are effective in all material respects to perform the functions for which they were established.

(gg) Margin Regulations. Neither the Company nor any Guarantor nor any of their respective subsidiaries nor any agent thereof acting on their behalf has taken, and none of them will take, any action that might cause this Agreement or the issuance or sale of the Securities to violate Regulation T, Regulation U or Regulation X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

(hh) Environmental Laws. Except as would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Change and as disclosed in the Offering Memorandum, (i) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is, or has been, in violation of any federal, state, local or foreign statute, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, policy or rule of common law or any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including any judicial or administrative order, consent, decree or judgment, of any governmental agency or body or any court relating to the pollution or protection of human health, the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface, or subsurface strata) or wildlife, including, without limitation, laws and regulations relating to the release or threatened release of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic substances, hazardous substances, petroleum or petroleum products, asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls or toxic mold (collectively, “ Hazardous Materials ”) or to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use,

 

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treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials (collectively, “ Environmental Laws ”), (ii) the Company and its subsidiaries possess all permits, authorizations and approvals required under any applicable Environmental Laws and are, and at all times have been, each in compliance with their requirements, (iii) there are no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, claims, liens, notices of noncompliance or violation, investigation or proceedings relating to any Environmental Law against the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (iv) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received written notice of any actual or potential liability for the investigation or remediation of any Hazardous Materials, (v) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is subject to any binding or written order, decree or agreement requiring any of them to perform any response or corrective action relating to any Hazardous Materials and (vi) there are no events or circumstances that might reasonably be expected to form the basis of an order or obligation for clean-up, remediation, corrective action or other response action, or an action, suit, demand or proceeding by any private party or governmental body or agency, against or affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries relating to any Hazardous Materials or the violation of, or liability under, any Environmental Laws.

(ii) ERISA. The Company and its subsidiaries and each “employee benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (collectively, “ ERISA ”)) established or maintained by the Company, its subsidiaries or their ERISA Affiliates (as defined below) are in compliance in all material respects with their terms and with ERISA and/or other applicable law. “ ERISA Affiliate ” means, with respect to the Company or a subsidiary, any member of any group of organizations described in Sections 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Internal Revenue Code ”), of which the Company or such subsidiary is a member. No “reportable event” (as defined under ERISA) has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur with respect to any “employee benefit plan” established or maintained by the Company, its subsidiaries or, except as would not reasonably be expected to result in material liability to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, any of their ERISA Affiliates. No “employee benefit plan” established or maintained by the Company, its subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates, if such “employee benefit plan” were terminated, would have any material “amount of unfunded benefit liabilities” (as defined under Title IV of ERISA). Neither the Company, its subsidiaries nor, except as would not reasonably be expected to result in material liability to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, any of their ERISA Affiliates has incurred or reasonably expects to incur any liability under (i) Title IV of ERISA, (ii) Sections 412, 4971 or 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code, (iii) Section 4980B of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the excise tax imposed thereunder or (iv) any similar non-U.S. law. Each “employee benefit plan” established or maintained by the Company, its subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code has received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service and nothing has occurred, whether by action or failure to act, which is reasonably likely to cause disqualification of any such employee benefit plan under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

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(jj) No Unlawful Payments. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee, affiliate or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries has, in the course of its actions for, or on behalf of, the Company or any of its subsidiaries (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expenses relating to political activity; (ii) made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any domestic government official, “foreign official” (as defined in the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “ FCPA ”) or employee from corporate funds; (iii) violated or is in violation of any provision of the FCPA or any applicable non-U.S. anti-bribery statute or regulation; or (iv) made any unlawful bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment to any domestic government official, such foreign official or employee; and the Company and its subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, the Company’s affiliates have conducted their respective businesses in compliance with the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.

(kk) No Conflict with Money Laundering Laws. The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are, and have been conducted at all times, in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all applicable jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar applicable rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “ Money Laundering Laws ”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.

(ll) No Conflict with Sanctions Laws. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee, affiliate or person acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is currently subject to any sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“ OFAC ”) or other relevant sanctions authority; and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of this offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, or any joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of or business with any person, or in any country or territory, that currently is the subject to any sanctions administered by OFAC or other relevant sanctions authority or in any other manner that will result in a violation by any person (including any person participating in the transaction whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise) of sanctions administered by OFAC or other relevant sanctions authority.

(mm) Senior Credit Facility. The Senior Credit Facility Documentation has been duly and validly authorized by the Company and, when duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Guarantors, will be the valid and legally binding obligation of the Company and the Guarantors, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors or by general equitable principles.

 

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(nn) Regulation S. The Company, the Guarantors and their respective affiliates and all persons acting on their behalf (other than the Initial Purchasers, as to whom the Company and the Guarantors make no representation) have complied with and will comply with the offering restrictions requirements of Regulation S in connection with the offering of the Securities outside the United States and, in connection therewith, the Offering Memorandum will contain the disclosure required by Rule 902. Each of the Company and the Guarantors is a “reporting issuer”, as defined in Rule 902 under the Securities Act.

(oo) Market Related Data. Any statistical and market-related data included in the Offering Memorandum are based on or derived from sources that the Company believes to be reliable and accurate or represent the Company’s good faith estimates that are made on the basis of data derived from such sources.

(pp) Occupational Safety and Health Act. The Company and each of its subsidiaries are in compliance in all respects with all applicable provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended, including all applicable regulations thereunder, except for such noncompliance as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Change.

(qq) No Restrictions on Subsidiaries. Except as described in the Offering Memorandum, none of the Company’s subsidiaries is currently restricted, directly or indirectly, from (i) paying any dividends or distributions to the Company, (ii) repaying to the Company any loans or advances to such subsidiary from the Company or (iii) transferring any property or assets to the Company or any other subsidiary of the Company.

Any certificate signed by an officer of the Company or any Guarantor and delivered to the Initial Purchasers or to counsel for the Initial Purchasers shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Company or such Guarantor to each Initial Purchaser as to the matters set forth therein.

SECTION 3. Covenants of the Company. The Company and the NN Guarantors, jointly and severally (and, in addition, upon the execution and delivery of the Joinder Agreement, the PEP Guarantors, jointly and severally) further covenants and agrees with each Initial Purchaser as follows:

(a) Copies of the Offering Memorandum. The Company will furnish to the Initial Purchasers and to counsel for the Initial Purchasers, without charge, as many copies of the Final Offering Memorandum and any Updated Final Offering Memorandum and any amendments and supplements thereto as they shall reasonably request.

(b) Final Offering Memorandum; Amendments and Supplements. The Company will prepare and deliver to the Initial Purchasers the Final Offering Memorandum and any Updated Final Offering Memorandum in the form approved by the Representative.

 

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The Company will not amend or supplement the Final Offering Memorandum prior to the Closing Date or any Updated Final Offering Memorandum prior to any Settlement Date related thereto unless the Representative shall previously have been furnished a copy of the proposed amendment or supplement a reasonable period of time prior to the proposed use or filing, and shall not have reasonably objected to such amendment or supplement. Before making, preparing, using, authorizing, approving or distributing any Company Additional Written Communication, the Company will furnish to the Representative a copy of such written communication for review and will not make, prepare, use, authorize, approve or distribute any such written communication to which the Representative reasonably objects.

(c) Amendments and Supplements to the Final Offering Memorandum and Other Securities Act Matters.

At any time prior to the Closing Date or any Settlement Date, if (i) any event occurs or condition exists as a result of which the Final Offering Memorandum or any Updated Final Offering Memorandum, as then amended or supplemented, would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or (ii) it should be necessary to amend or supplement the Final Offering Memorandum or any Updated Final Offering Memorandum, to comply with applicable law, the Company and the Guarantors will immediately notify the Initial Purchasers thereof and will prepare and (subject to Section 3(a) hereof) provide to the Initial Purchasers such amendments or supplements to the Final Offering Memorandum or Updated Final Offering Memorandum so that the statements in the Final Offering Memorandum or Updated Final Offering Memorandum as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, be misleading or so that the Final Offering Memorandum or Updated Final Offering Memorandum will comply with all applicable law.

Prior to the completion of the placement of the Securities by the Initial Purchasers with the Subsequent Purchasers, if any event occurs or condition exists as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Final Offering Memorandum or any Updated Final Offering Memorandum, as then amended or supplemented, in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances when the Final Offering Memorandum or any Updated Final Offering Memorandum is delivered to a Subsequent Purchaser, not misleading, or if in the judgment of the Representative or counsel for the Initial Purchasers it is otherwise necessary to amend or supplement the Final Offering Memorandum or any Updated Final Offering Memorandum to comply with applicable law, the Company and the Guarantors agree to promptly prepare (subject to this Section 3) and provide at its own expense to the Initial Purchasers, amendments or supplements to the Final Offering Memorandum or any Updated Final Offering Memorandum so that the statements in the Final Offering Memorandum or any Updated Final Offering Memorandum as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances at the Closing Date or the applicable Settlement Date and at the time of sale of Securities, be misleading or so that the Final Offering Memorandum or any Updated Final Offering Memorandum, as amended or supplemented, will comply with all applicable law.

 

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Following the consummation of the Exchange Offer or the effectiveness of an applicable shelf registration statement and for so long as the Securities are outstanding, if, in the judgment of the Representative, the Initial Purchasers or any of their affiliates (as such term is defined in the Securities Act) are required to deliver a prospectus in connection with sales of, or market-making activities with respect to, the Securities, the Company and the Guarantors agree to periodically amend the applicable registration statement so that the information contained therein complies with the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act, to amend the applicable registration statement or supplement the related prospectus or the documents incorporated therein when necessary to reflect any material changes in the information provided therein so that the registration statement and the prospectus will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing as of the date the prospectus is so delivered, not misleading and to provide the Initial Purchasers with copies of each amendment or supplement filed and such other documents as the Initial Purchasers may reasonably request.

The Company hereby expressly acknowledges that the indemnification and contribution provisions of Section 7 hereof are specifically applicable and relate to each offering memorandum, registration statement, prospectus, amendment or supplement referred to in this Section 3.

(d) Use of Proceeds. The Company shall apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Securities as described under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the Final Offering Memorandum or any Updated Final Offering Memorandum.

(e) The Depositary . The Company will assist the Initial Purchasers in arranging for the Securities to be eligible for clearance and settlement through the facilities of the Depositary.

(f) Additional Information. So long as any of the Securities are “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act, at any time when the Company is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, for the benefit of holders and beneficial owners from time to time of the Securities, the Company shall furnish, at its expense, upon request, to holders and beneficial owners of Securities and prospective purchasers of Securities information satisfying the requirements of Rule 144A(d).

(g) No Other Securities. During the period of 90 days following the date hereof, the Company will not, without the prior written consent of SunTrust (which consent may be withheld at the sole discretion of SunTrust), directly or indirectly, sell, offer, contract or grant any option to sell, pledge, transfer or establish an open “put equivalent position” within the meaning of Rule 16a-1 under the Exchange Act, or otherwise dispose of or transfer, or announce the offering of, or file any registration statement under the Securities Act in respect of, any debt securities of the Company or securities exchangeable for or convertible into debt securities of the Company (other than as contemplated by this Agreement and to register the Exchange Securities).

 

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(h) Blue Sky Compliance. Each of the Company and the Guarantors shall cooperate with the Representative and counsel for the Initial Purchasers to qualify or register (or to obtain exemptions from qualifying or registering) all or any part of the Securities for offer and sale under the securities laws of the several states of the United States, the provinces of Canada or any other jurisdictions designated by the Representative, shall comply with such laws and shall continue such qualifications, registrations and exemptions in effect so long as required for the distribution of the Securities. None of the Company or any of the Guarantors shall be required to qualify as a foreign corporation or to take any action that would subject it to general service of process in any such jurisdiction where it is not presently qualified or where it would be subject to taxation as a foreign corporation. The Company will advise the Representative promptly of the suspension of the qualification or registration of (or any such exemption relating to) the Securities for offering, sale or trading in any jurisdiction or any initiation or threat of any proceeding for any such purpose, and in the event of the issuance of any order suspending such qualification, registration or exemption, each of the Company and the Guarantors shall use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal thereof at the earliest possible moment.

(i) No Integration. The Company agrees that it will not and will cause its Affiliates, directly or through any agent, not to make any offer or sale of securities of the Company of any class if, as a result of the doctrine of “integration” referred to in Rule 502 under the Securities Act, such offer or sale would render invalid the sale of Securities pursuant hereto.

(j) No General Solicitation or Directed Selling Efforts . The Company agrees that it will not and will not permit any of its Affiliates or any other person acting on its or their behalf (other than the Initial Purchasers, as to which no covenant is given) to (i) solicit offers for, or offer or sell, the Securities by means of any form of general solicitation or general advertising within the meaning of Rule 502(c) of Regulation D without the prior written consent of the Representatives or in any manner involving a public offering within the meaning of Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act or (ii) engage in any directed selling efforts with respect to the Securities within the meaning of Regulation S, and the Company will and will cause all such persons to comply with the offering restrictions requirement of Regulation S with respect to the Securities.

(k) Legended Securities. Each certificate for a Security will bear the legend contained in “Notice to Investors” in the Final Offering Memorandum for the time period and upon the other terms stated in the Final Offering Memorandum.

(l) No Resales. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Affiliates to, resell any of the Notes that have been acquired by any of them, other than pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

(m) Acquisition. Immediately after the consummation of the Acquisition, the Company and the PEP Guarantors shall cause to be delivered to the Initial Purchasers (i) executed copies of the Joinder Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement Joinder and the Supplemental Indenture, in each case executed and delivered by the PEP Guarantors

 

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and the other parties thereto and (ii) the favorable opinion dated the date of the Acquisition, of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC, counsel for the PEP Guarantors, the form of which is attached as Exhibit A-2 hereto and of Massachusetts local counsel for the PEP Guarantors, the form of which is attached as Exhibit A-4 hereto.

The Representative on behalf of the several Initial Purchasers, may, in its sole discretion, waive in writing the performance by the Company or any Guarantor of any one or more of the foregoing covenants or extend the time for their performance.

SECTION 4. Conditions of the Obligations of the Initial Purchasers. The obligations of the several Initial Purchasers to purchase and pay for the Notes shall be subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company in Section 2 hereof, in each case as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date, as if made on and as of the Closing Date and to the timely performance by the Company of its covenants and other obligations hereunder, and to each of the following additional conditions:

(a) Comfort Letters. The Initial Purchasers shall have received on the Closing Date a letter, dated the Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers and counsel for the Initial Purchasers, from each of (i) PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, (ii) Ernst & Young LLP and (iii) Deloitte & Touche LLP, in each case containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained in the Final Offering Memorandum; provided that each letter shall use a “cut-off date” within three days of the date of such letter. References to the Final Offering Memorandum in this paragraph with respect to any letter referred to above shall include any amendment or supplement thereto at the date of such letter.

(b) No Material Adverse Change. For the period from and after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date, no event or condition that results in a Material Adverse Change shall have occurred or shall exist, the effect of which in the judgment of the Representative makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering, sale or delivery of the Securities on the terms and in the manner contemplated by this Agreement and the Final Offering Memorandum.

(c) No Ratings Agency Change. For the period from and after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date, there shall not have occurred any downgrading, nor shall any notice have been given of any intended or potential downgrading or of any review for a possible change that does not indicate the direction of the possible change, in the rating accorded the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their securities or indebtedness by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” as such term is defined for purposes of Rule 436 under the Securities Act.

(d) Opinion of Counsel for the Company. On the Closing Date, the Initial Purchasers shall have received the favorable opinion dated the Closing Date, of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC, counsel for the Company, the form of which is attached as Exhibit A-1 hereto and Ohio, Connecticut, Michigan and Texas local counsel for the Company, the form of which is attached as Exhibit A-3 hereto.

 

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(e) Opinion of Counsel for the Initial Purchasers. On the Closing Date, the Initial Purchasers shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of the Closing Date, of Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, counsel for the Initial Purchasers, with respect to such matters as may be reasonably requested by the Initial Purchasers.

(f) Officers’ Certificate. On the Closing Date, the Initial Purchasers shall have received a certificate, dated as of the Closing Date, executed by the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the Company and each NN Guarantor, to the effect set forth in Section 4(c) hereof, and further to the effect that: (i) for the period from and after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date there has not occurred any Material Adverse Change; (ii) the representations, warranties and covenants of the Company and the Guarantors set forth in Section 2 hereof were true and correct as of the date hereof and are true and correct as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect as though expressly made on and as of the Closing Date; and (iii) each of the Company and the Guarantors has complied with all the agreements and satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing Date.

(g) Indenture and Securities. The Initial Indenture shall have been duly executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of the Company, each of the NN Guarantors and the Trustee, and the Securities shall have been duly executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of the Company and duly authenticated by the Trustee.

(h) Registration Rights Agreement . The Initial Purchasers shall have received a counterpart of the Registration Rights Agreement that shall have been executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of the Company and each of the NN Guarantors.

(i) Senior Credit Facility. Concurrently with or prior to the Closing Date, the Company and the NN Guarantors shall have entered into the Senior Credit Facility consistent in all material respects with the terms described in the Final Offering Memorandum and the Representative shall have received conformed counterparts thereof.

(j) Concurrent Transactions. The Transactions shall have been consummated on the terms and conditions described in the Final Offering Memorandum.

(k) Additional Documents. On or before the Closing Date, the Initial Purchasers and counsel for the Initial Purchasers shall have received such information, documents and opinions as they may reasonably request.

If any condition specified in this Section 4 is not satisfied or waived by SunTrust when and as required to be satisfied, this Agreement may be terminated by SunTrust by notice to the Company at any time on or prior to the Closing Date, which termination shall be without liability on the part of any party to any other party, subject to survival of the provisions referenced in Section 8 hereof.

 

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SECTION 5. Offer and Sale Procedures . Each of the Initial Purchasers, on the one hand, and the Company and each of the NN Guarantors (and, upon the execution and delivery of the Joinder the Agreement, the PEP Guarantors), on the other hand, hereby agree to observe the following procedures in connection with the offer and sale of the Securities:

(a) Offers and sales of the Securities will be made only by the Initial Purchasers or Affiliates thereof qualified to do so in the jurisdictions in which such offers or sales are made. Each sale of Securities shall be made only to persons whom the seller reasonably believes to be Qualified Institutional Buyers or non-U.S. persons outside the United States to whom the offeror or seller reasonably believes offers and sales of the Securities may be made in reliance upon Regulation S upon the terms and conditions set forth in Annex I hereto, which Annex I is hereby expressly made a part hereof.

(b) Upon original issuance by the Company, and until such time as the same is no longer required under the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Securities (and all securities issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof, other than the Exchange Securities) shall bear the following legend:

“THE SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) EVIDENCED HEREBY WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ SECURITIES ACT ”), AND THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER. THE HOLDER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT (A) SUCH SECURITY MAY BE RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (1)(a) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHO THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (b) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A FOREIGN PERSON IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 903 OR RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (c) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF APPLICABLE) OR (d) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY IF THE COMPANY

 

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SO REQUESTS), (2) TO THE COMPANY OR (3) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND, IN EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN CLAUSE (A) ABOVE. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF THE EXEMPTION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 FOR RESALE OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY.”

Following the sale of the Securities by the Initial Purchasers to Subsequent Purchasers pursuant to the terms hereof, the Initial Purchasers shall not be liable or responsible to the Company for any losses, damages or liabilities suffered or incurred by the Company, including any losses, damages or liabilities under the Securities Act, arising from or relating to any resale or transfer of any Security.

SECTION 6. Payment of Expenses .

(a) Except as set forth in Section 10(e) below, whether or not the transactions contemplated in this Agreement are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, the Company and the NN Guarantors and, upon execution and delivery of the Joinder Agreement, the PEP Guarantors, will pay or cause to be paid all costs, fees and expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement and in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, (i) all expenses incident to the preparation, issuance and delivery of the Securities, (ii) all costs and expenses related to the issuance and delivery of the Securities to the Initial Purchasers, including any transfer or other taxes payable thereon, (iii) all fees, disbursements and expenses of the Company’s counsel and the Company’s accountants in connection with the issuance and sale of the Securities and all other fees or expenses in connection with the preparation of the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, any Permitted General Solicitation, the Final Offering Memorandum and each Updated Final Offering Memorandum and all amendments and supplements thereto, and the Transaction Documents, including all printing costs associated therewith, and the delivering of copies thereof to the Initial Purchasers, in the quantities herein above specified, (iv) the fees and expenses of the Trustee, including the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Trustee in connection with the Indenture, the Securities and the Exchange Securities, (v) all filing fees, attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred by the Company, the Guarantors or the Initial Purchasers in connection with qualifying or registering (or obtaining exemptions from the qualification or registration of) all or any part of the Securities for offer and sale under the securities laws of the several states of the United States, the provinces of Canada or other jurisdictions designated by the Initial Purchasers (including, without limitation, the cost of preparing, printing and mailing preliminary and final blue sky or legal investment memoranda and any related supplements to the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the Final Offering Memorandum or any Updated Final Offering Memorandum), (vi) any fees payable in connection with the rating of the Securities or the Exchange Securities with the ratings agencies, and (viii) all costs and expenses relating to investor presentations, including any “road show” presentations undertaken in connection with the marketing of the offering of the Securities, including,

 

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without limitation, expenses associated with the production of road show slides and graphics, fees and expenses of any consultants engaged in connection with the road show presentations, travel and lodging expenses of the representatives (including the Initial Purchasers) and officers of the Company and any such consultants, and 50% of the cost of any aircraft chartered in connection with the road show. It is understood, however, that except as provided in this Section 6 and Section 8 hereof, the Initial Purchasers shall pay their own expenses, including the fees and disbursements of their counsel.

(b) If the sale of the Securities provided for herein is not consummated because any condition to the obligations of the Initial Purchasers set forth in Section 5 hereof is not satisfied, because this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 9 hereof or because of any failure, refusal or inability on the part of the Company to perform all obligations and satisfy all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder other than by reason of a default by any of the Initial Purchasers, the Company will reimburse the Initial Purchasers upon demand for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including, without limitation, documented fees and disbursements of counsel, printing expenses, travel expenses, postage, facsimile and telephone charges) that shall have been incurred by them in connection with the proposed purchase and sale of the Securities.

SECTION 7. Indemnification.

(a) Indemnification by the Company and the Guarantors. Each of the Company and the NN Guarantors, and upon execution of the Joinder Agreement, each of the PEP Guarantors, jointly and severally, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Initial Purchaser, its affiliates, directors, officers and employees, and each person, if any, who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) any Initial Purchaser against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as incurred, to which such Initial Purchaser, affiliate, director, officer, employee or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state statutory law or regulation, or at common law or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation, if such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Company), insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof as contemplated below) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, any Company Additional Written Communication, any Permitted General Solicitation, the Final Offering Memorandum or any Updated Final Offering Memorandum (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact, in each case, necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and will reimburse each Initial Purchaser and each such affiliate, director, officer, employee or controlling person for any and all expenses (including the fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by SunTrust) as such expenses are reasonably incurred by such Initial Purchaser or such affiliate, director, officer, employee or controlling person in connection with investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or action; provided, however, that the Company and the Guarantors will not be liable in any such case to the extent, but only to the extent, that any such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information relating to such Initial Purchaser and furnished to the

 

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Company by such Initial Purchaser through the Representatives expressly for use in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, any Company Additional Written Communication, the Final Offering Memorandum or any Updated Final Offering Memorandum (or any amendment or supplement thereto). The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 7(a) shall be in addition to any liabilities that the Company may otherwise have.

(b) Indemnification by the Initial Purchasers. Each Initial Purchaser agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each NN Guarantor and, upon execution and delivery of the Joinder Agreement, each PEP Guarantor, each of their respective affiliates, directors, officers and each person, if any, who controls the Company or any such Guarantor within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as incurred, to which the Company, any Guarantor or any such affiliate, director, officer or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or other federal or state statutory law or regulation, or at common law or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation, if such settlement is effected with the written consent of such Initial Purchaser), insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions in respect thereof as contemplated below) arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, any Company Additional Written Communication, any Permitted General Solicitation, the Final Offering Memorandum or any Updated Final Offering Memorandum (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, any Company Additional Written Communication, the Final Offering Memorandum or any Updated Final Offering Memorandum (or any amendment or supplement thereto), in reliance upon and in conformity with written information relating to such Initial Purchaser and furnished to the Company by such Initial Purchaser through the Representative expressly for use therein; and to reimburse the Company, any NN Guarantor and, upon execution and delivery of the Joinder Agreement, any PEP Guarantor and each such affiliate, director, officer or controlling person for any and all expenses (including the fees and disbursements of counsel) as such expenses are reasonably incurred by the Company, any such Guarantor or such affiliate, director, officer or controlling person in connection with investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or action. Each of the Company and the NN Guarantors and, upon execution and delivery of the Joinder Agreement, the PEP Guarantors hereby acknowledges that the only information that the Initial Purchasers through the Representative have furnished to the Company expressly for use in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, any Company Additional Written Communication, the Final Offering Memorandum or any Updated Final Offering Memorandum (or any amendment or supplement thereto) are the statements set forth in the third sentence of the sixth paragraph and eighth and ninth paragraphs under the caption “Plan of Distribution” in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum and the Final Offering Memorandum. The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 7(b) shall be in addition to any liabilities that each Initial Purchaser may otherwise have.

(c) Notices and Procedures . Promptly after receipt by any person to whom indemnity may be available under this Section 7 (the “ indemnified party ”) of notice of the commencement

 

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of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against any person from whom indemnity may be sought under this Section 7 (the “ indemnifying party ”), notify such indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; provided that the failure to so notify such indemnifying party will not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability which it may have to such indemnified party under this Section 7 except to the extent that it has been materially prejudiced by such failure (through the forfeiture of substantive rights and defenses) and shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability that such indemnifying party may have to such indemnified party other than under this Section 7. In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party, and such indemnified party notifies the relevant indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, such indemnifying party will be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it may wish, to assume the defense thereof, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party; provided, however, if the defendants in any such action (including impleaded parties) include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have concluded that a conflict may arise between the positions of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party in conducting the defense of any such action or that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, the indemnified party or parties shall have the right to select separate counsel to assume such legal defenses and to otherwise participate in the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties. After notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof and approval by the indemnified party of counsel appointed to defend such action, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 7 for any legal or other expenses other than reasonable costs of investigation, subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof, unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel in accordance with the proviso to the immediately preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one separate counsel (together with local counsel (in each jurisdiction)), which shall be selected by SunTrust (in the case of counsel representing the Initial Purchasers or their related persons), representing the indemnified parties who are parties to such action), (ii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of the action or (iii) such indemnifying party has authorized the employment of counsel for such indemnified party at the expense of the indemnifying party. After such notice from an indemnifying party to an indemnified party, such indemnifying party will not be liable for the costs and expenses of any settlement of such action effected by such indemnified party without the written consent of such indemnifying party. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by (i), (ii) or (iii) of the third sentence of this paragraph, the indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (x) such settlement is entered into more than 30 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request and (y) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed the indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement. An indemnifying party will not, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification may be sought

 

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hereunder (whether or not the indemnified party or any other person that may be entitled to indemnification hereunder is a party to such claim, action, suit or proceeding) unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of the indemnified party and such other persons from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding and (ii) does not include any statements as to or any findings of fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

(d) Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in the preceding paragraphs of this Section 7 is held to be unavailable to or otherwise insufficient, for any reason, to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount paid or payable by such indemnified party, as incurred, as a result of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions or inaccuracies in the representations and warranties herein which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, in connection with the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company, and the total discount received by the Initial Purchasers, bear to the aggregate initial offering price of the Securities. The relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, or the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include, any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim. The provisions set forth in subclauses (a) and (b) of this Section 7 with respect to notice of commencement of any action shall apply if a claim for contribution is to be made under this Section 7; provided, however, that no additional notice shall be required with respect to any action for which notice has been given under Section 7(c) hereof for purposes of indemnification. The Company, the NN Guarantors and, upon execution and delivery of the Joinder Agreement, the PEP Guarantors, and the Initial Purchasers agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Initial Purchasers were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this Section 7. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, no Initial Purchaser shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the discount received by such Initial Purchaser in connection with the Securities distributed by it. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of

 

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Section 11 of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Initial Purchasers’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 7 are several, and not joint, in proportion to their respective commitments as set forth opposite their names in Schedule A-1. For purposes of this Section 7, each director, officer and employee of an Initial Purchaser and each person, if any, who controls an Initial Purchaser within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Initial Purchaser, and each affiliate, director or officer of the Company or any Guarantor, and each person, if any, who controls the Company or any Guarantor within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company and the Guarantors.

SECTION 8. Termination of this Agreement. The Representative may terminate this Agreement with respect to the Notes by notice to the Company in accordance with the last paragraph of Section 4 hereof or at any time prior to the Closing Date if at any time: (i) trading or quotation in any of the Company’s securities shall have been suspended or limited by the Commission or by the Nasdaq Stock Market, or trading in securities generally on either the Nasdaq Stock Market or the New York Stock Exchange (the “ NYSE ”) shall have been suspended or limited, or minimum or maximum prices shall have been generally established on any of such quotation system or stock exchange by the Commission or FINRA; (ii) a general banking moratorium shall have been declared by any of federal, New York or Delaware authorities; (iii) there shall have been (A) an outbreak or escalation of hostilities between the United States and any foreign power, (B) an outbreak or escalation of any other insurrection or armed conflict involving the United States or (C) any substantial change in general economic, political or financial conditions which has an effect on the U.S. financial markets that, in the case of any event described in this clause (iii), in the reasonable judgment of the Representative, is material and adverse and makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offer, sale and delivery of the Securities as disclosed in the Final Offering Memorandum, exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto; or (iv) in the reasonable judgment of the Representative there shall have occurred any Material Adverse Change. Any termination pursuant to this Section 8 shall be without liability on the part of (i) the Company or any Guarantor to any Initial Purchaser, except that the Company and the Guarantors shall be obligated to reimburse the expenses of the Initial Purchasers pursuant to Section 6 hereof, (ii) any Initial Purchaser to the Company, or (iii) any party hereto to any other party except that the provisions of Section 7 hereof shall at all times be effective and shall survive such termination.

SECTION 9. Notices. All communications hereunder shall be in writing and, if sent to any of the Initial Purchasers, shall be delivered or sent by mail or transmitted and confirmed in writing by any standard form of telecommunication to SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., 3333 Peachtree Road, 10th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30326, Facsimile: 404-926-5248, Attention: High Yield Syndicate, with a copy to Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, 80 Pine Street, New York, NY 10005, Attention: James J. Clark, Esq. and if sent to the Company, shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission and confirmed in writing to the Company at NN, Inc., 207 Mockingbird Lane, Johnson City, TN 37604, Facsimile: 423-743-2670, Attention: James H. Dorton, Senior Vice President – Chief Financial Officer, with a copy to Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC, First Tennessee Building, 165 Madison Avenue, Suite 2000, Memphis, TN 38103, Attention: Richard F. Mattern, Esq., and NN, Inc., 207 Mockingbird Lane, Johnson City, TN 37604, Attention: Matthew S. Heiter, Esq.

 

28


SECTION 10. Agreement to Cooperate . The Company and the NN Guarantors, jointly and severally (and, in addition, upon the execution and delivery of the Joinder Agreement, the PEP Guarantors, jointly and severally) further covenant and agree with each Initial Purchaser as follows:

(a) After the Closing Date, but prior to the expiration of the Cooperation Period (as defined below) the Company and the Guarantors shall:

(i) upon request of the Representative, on up to three (3) occasions, subject to Blackout Periods (as defined below), use their commercially reasonable efforts to provide to the Initial Purchasers an updated version of the Final Offering Memorandum (including for the avoidance of doubt the final Canadian wrapper) (as so amended, supplemented or updated from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof, an “ Updated Final Offering Memorandum ”) in a form consistent with the Final Offering Memorandum (including all financial statements, pro forma financial statements, business and other financial data of the type required in a registered offering by Regulation S-X and Regulation S-K under the Securities Act (other than Rule 3-10 and Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X and subject to exceptions customary for private placements pursuant to Rule 144A and if reasonably requested by the Representative, to the extent reasonably practicable, any “flash” or “capsule” financial information (on an annual or quarterly basis) with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries) such that the Updated Final Offering Memorandum does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that in no event will the Company and the Guarantors be required to provide updated annual audited or quarterly unaudited financial statements earlier than the time the Company and the Guarantors are required to provide such information as described in the Final Offering Memorandum under the heading “Description of the Notes–Reports” (without giving effect to the grace period in clause (4) under “Description of the Notes–Events of Default and Remedies” in the Final Offering Memorandum);

(ii) upon written notice from the Representative, in connection with an offer and resale of the Securities (the fifth business day (or such other period as mutually agreed between the Company and the Representative) after each such notice herein referred to as the “ Sale Date ” and the related settlement date mutually determined by the Company and the Representative, the “ Settlement Date ”), use commercially reasonable efforts to provide the Initial Purchasers on or prior to the Sale Date or the Settlement Date, as applicable, the following, provided that there shall be no more than three (3) Sale Dates:

(A) opinions and negative assurance letters, as the case may be, consistent in all relevant respects with those provided pursuant to Section 4(d) of this Agreement and dated such Settlement Date (including opinions covering the PEP Guarantors in their capacity as Guarantors);

(B) (i) a “comfort” letter dated such Sale Date and a “bring-down” comfort letter dated such Settlement Date, with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries and

 

29


the Updated Final Offering Memorandum from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, (ii) a “comfort” letter dated such Sale Date and a “bring-down” comfort letter dated such Settlement Date, with respect to PEP and its subsidiaries and the Updated Final Offering Memorandum from Ernst & Young LLP and (iii) a “comfort letter” dated such Sale Date, with respect to Autocam and the Updated Final Offering Memorandum from Deloitte & Touche LLP, in each case addressed to the Initial Purchasers, such comfort letters to be in the form consistent with that provided under this Agreement (as appropriately updated) and such bring-down comfort letters to be in customary form and substantially consistent with that provided for Rule 144A debt offerings;

(C) an officer’s certificate dated as of such Settlement Date and consistent with the officer’s certificate delivered by the Company pursuant to Section 4(f) (provided that references therein to the Closing Date shall be to such Settlement Date); and

(iii) in connection with such request, use commercially reasonable efforts to assist the Initial Purchasers in their marketing efforts for the resale of Securities during the Cooperation Period (as defined below) by (A) providing to the Initial Purchasers and their counsel all information they reasonably request to update due diligence (including by way of any conference calls) to each Sale Date and each Settlement Date and (B) reasonably cooperating with the Initial Purchasers in connection with the marketing of the Securities by (1) meeting with rating agencies, and (2) preparing road show materials and having senior management (including the CEO and CFO to the extent the inclusion of both would not materially interfere with any day to day operations of the business) of the Company available to participate in one or more meetings with prospective investors, or participating in conference calls at mutually agreeable times with prospective investors to whom the Initial Purchasers propose to resell the unsold allotment of Securities then held by them; provided, that such assistance does not unreasonably interfere with the ongoing operations of the Company and the Guarantors or otherwise impair, in any material respect, the ability of any officer or executive of the Company or any Guarantor to carry out their duties to the Company and the Guarantors;

(iv) to the extent not previously done on or before the Closing Date, use commercially reasonable efforts to (A) obtain CUSIP numbers for the Notes as necessary; (B) obtain eligibility for the Notes to clear and settle through DTC; and (C) maintain a rating of the Notes from Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s;

(v) use commercially reasonable efforts to furnish to each Initial Purchaser and to counsel for the Initial Purchasers, without charge except as set forth in clause (e) below, as many copies of each Updated Final Offering Memorandum and any amendments and supplements thereto as they may reasonably request; provided, that the Initial Purchasers shall not be entitled to use such Updated Final Offering Memorandum delivered pursuant to this clause (v) at such time as (A) the financial information contained therein no longer complies with the applicable requirements of Regulation S-X (other than Rule 3-10 and Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X and subject to exceptions customary for private placements pursuant to Rule 144A), or (B) the Company has delivered a blackout notice pursuant to Section 10(c) below;

 

30


(vi) subject to the provisions of clause (i) above and clause (vii) below, not make any amendment or supplement to an Updated Final Offering Memorandum or otherwise distribute or refer to any Company Additional Written Communication that shall be reasonably disapproved by SunTrust after reasonable notice thereof; and

(vii) if at any time any event (for the avoidance of doubt, an “event” shall not be deemed to include financial statements being deemed to be “stale” due to the passage of time or the availability of financial statements for a subsequent period) occurs prior to the completion of the resale of the Securities by the Initial Purchasers (as determined by the Initial Purchasers) but in any event before the end of the Cooperation Period, as a result of which the Final Offering Memorandum or any Updated Final Offering Memorandum, as then amended or supplemented, would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or if it should be necessary to amend or supplement the Final Offering Memorandum or any Updated Offering Final Memorandum to comply with applicable law in the opinion of counsel for the Initial Purchasers or counsel for the Company, then, use commercially reasonable efforts to (A) prepare an amendment or supplement that will correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance and (B) supply any supplement or amendment thereto to the several Initial Purchasers (it being understood that the Initial Purchasers will cease making use of such Updated Final Offering Memorandum until such amendment or supplement is available) and counsel for the Initial Purchasers, without charge except as set forth in clause (e) below, in such quantities as they may reasonably request and promptly notify the Initial Purchasers of any event or other occurrence which would require any such amendment or supplement.

(b) The provisions set forth in this Section 10 shall terminate 365 days after the Closing Date (the “ Cooperation Period ”); provided that the Cooperation Period shall be extended by the number of days for any Blackout Period.

(c) “ Blackout Period ” shall mean a period not to exceed fifteen business days following delivery of written notice by the Company to Representative (a “ blackout notice ”) solely to the extent that and so long as the Company determines reasonably and in good faith that providing an Updated Final Offering Memorandum in accordance herewith would require the disclosure of material information in the Updated Final Offering Memorandum that, in the reasonable judgment of the Company, would be materially detrimental to the Company if so disclosed or, prior to the execution of definitive documentation related thereto, would otherwise materially adversely affect an acquisition, disposition, merger or other material corporate transaction; provided that there shall be no more than two Blackout Periods during the Cooperation Period. A subsequent Blackout Period shall not be permitted to continue on a consecutive basis following a Blackout Period and a period of at least 30 days shall have lapsed after the end of a Blackout Period prior to the start of another Blackout Period. The Company shall promptly notify the Representative of the end of a Blackout Period. If any Sale Date, “road show” or marketing in respect of any Updated Final Offering Memorandum is affected by any Blackout Period, such Sale Date, “road show” or Updated Final Offering Memorandum shall not count towards any maximum number of occasions or Updated Final Offering Memoranda permitted under this Section 10 (unless a Settlement Date occurs in respect of such Sale Date, “road show” or Updated

 

31


Final Offering Memorandum or, with respect to a “road show,” at least 10 business days have elapsed between the completion of the “road show” and the commencement of such Blackout Period).

(d) In addition to paragraph (a) above, the Representative may request in writing that the Company and the Guarantors assist the Initial Purchasers in their marketing efforts for the resale of Securities, and the Company and the Guarantors hereby agree to provide such assistance, by causing senior management of the Company (including the CEO and CFO) to participate in a customary “road show” for high yield debt securities on no more than two occasions after the Closing Date that shall not exceed eight business days in the aggregate (unless otherwise agreed by the Company); provided each such “road show” shall (i) not exceed four business days, (ii) be on consecutive business days unless the Company otherwise requests and the Representative shall agrees (such agreement not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), and (iii) each “road show” shall be separated by no less than 30 business days.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Initial Purchasers will pay or cause to be paid all costs, fees and expenses incident to third offer and resale of the Securities by the Initial Purchasers during the Cooperation Period, if any, including, without limitation, (i) all expenses incident to the offer, resale and delivery of the Securities, (ii) all reasonable fees, disbursements and expenses of the Company’s counsel in connection with the offer and resale of the Securities and all other reasonable fees or expenses in connection with the preparation of any Updated Final Offering Memorandum and all amendments and supplements thereto, including all printing costs associated therewith, and the delivering of copies thereof to the Initial Purchasers, in the quantities herein above specified, (iii) all reasonable fees, disbursements and expenses of each of Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP, Ernst & Young LLP and Deloitte & Touche LLP in connection with the preparation of any “comfort” letter dated as of any Sale Date and a “bring-down” comfort letter dated as of any Settlement Date, (iv) the reasonable fees and expenses of the Trustee, if any, including the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Trustee in connection with the Indenture, the Securities and the Exchange Securities, (v) all reasonable filing fees, attorneys’ fees and expense incurred by the Company, the Guarantors or the Initial Purchasers in connection with qualifying or registering (or obtaining exemptions from the qualification or registration of) all or any part of the Securities for offer and resale under the securities laws of the several states of the United States, the provinces of Canada or other jurisdictions designated by the Initial Purchasers (including, without limitation, the cost of preparing, printing and mailing preliminary and final blue sky or legal investment memoranda and any related supplements to any Updated Final Offering Memorandum), (vi) any fees payable in connection with the rating of the Securities or the Exchange Securities with the ratings agencies, and (vii) all costs and expenses relating to investor presentations, including any “road show” presentations undertaken in connection with the offer and resale of the Securities by the Initial Purchasers, including, without limitation, expenses associated with the production of road show slides and graphics, fees and expenses of any consultants engaged in connection with the road show presentations, travel and lodging expenses of the representatives (including the Initial Purchasers) and officers of the Company and any such consultants, and 50% of the cost of any aircraft chartered in connection with such road show. It is further understood that the Initial Purchasers shall pay their own expenses incident to the third offer and resale of the Securities by the Initial Purchasers during the Cooperation Period, including the fees and disbursements of their counsel. For the avoidance of doubt, the fees and expenses incident to the first and second offers and resales of the Securities by the Initial Purchasers during the Cooperation Period shall be paid in accordance with the provision set forth in Section 6 hereof.

 

32


SECTION 11. Successors. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and the officers and directors and any controlling persons referred to herein, and the affiliates of each Initial Purchaser referred to in Section 7 hereof. Nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any other person any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision contained herein. No Subsequent Purchaser of Securities from any Initial Purchaser shall be deemed to be a successor merely by reason of such purchase.

SECTION 12. Authority of the Representatives. Any action by the Initial Purchasers hereunder may be taken by SunTrust on behalf of the Initial Purchasers, and any such action taken by SunTrust shall be binding upon the Initial Purchasers.

SECTION 13. Partial Unenforceability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other section, paragraph or provision hereof. If any section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement is for any reason determined to be invalid or unenforceable, there shall be deemed to be made such minor changes (and only such minor changes) as are necessary to make it valid and enforceable.

SECTION 14. Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction. THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN SUCH STATE WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.

(a) Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (“ Related Proceedings ”) may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of America located in the City and County of New York or the courts of the State of New York in each case located in the City and County of New York (collectively, the “ Specified Courts ”), and each party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction (except for suits, actions, or proceedings instituted in regard to the enforcement of a judgment of any Specified Court in a Related Proceeding (a “ Related Judgment ”), as to which such jurisdiction is non-exclusive) of the Specified Courts in any Related Proceeding. Service of any process, summons, notice or document by mail to such party’s address set forth above shall be effective service of process for any Related Proceeding brought in any Specified Court. The parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Specified Proceeding in the Specified Courts and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim in any Specified Court that any Related Proceeding brought in any Specified Court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

SECTION 15. Waiver of Jury Trial. Each of the Company and the NN Guarantors and, upon execution and delivery of the Joinder Agreement, the PEP Guarantors, hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives trial by jury in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement.

 

33


SECTION 16. Defaulting Initial Purchasers. If, on the Closing Date, any one or more of the several Initial Purchasers shall fail or refuse to purchase Securities that it or they have agreed to purchase hereunder on such date, and the aggregate principal amount of Securities which such defaulting Initial Purchaser or Initial Purchasers agreed but failed or refused to purchase does not exceed 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities to be purchased on the Closing Date, the other Initial Purchasers shall be obligated, severally, in the proportions that the aggregate principal amount of Securities set forth opposite their respective names on Schedule A-1 bears to the aggregate principal amount of Securities set forth opposite the names of all such nondefaulting Initial Purchasers, or in such other proportions as may be specified by the Representative with the consent of the non-defaulting Initial Purchasers, to purchase the Securities which such defaulting Initial Purchaser or Initial Purchasers agreed but failed or refused to purchase on such date. If, on the Closing Date, any one or more of the Initial Purchasers shall fail or refuse to purchase Securities and the aggregate principal amount of Securities with respect to which such default occurs exceeds 10% of the aggregate principal amount of Securities to be purchased on such date, and arrangements satisfactory to the Representative and the Company for the purchase of such Securities are not made within 48 hours after such default, this Agreement shall terminate without liability of any party to any other party except that the provisions of Sections 6 and 8 hereof shall at all times be effective and shall survive such termination. In any such case either the Representative or the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date but in no event for longer than seven days in order that the required changes, if any, to the Offering Memorandum or any other documents or arrangements may be effected.

As used in this Agreement, the term “ Initial Purchaser ” shall be deemed to include any person substituted for a defaulting Initial Purchaser under this Section 16. Any action taken under this Section 16 shall not relieve any defaulting Initial Purchaser from liability in respect of any default of such Initial Purchaser under this Agreement.

SECTION 17. No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility. Each of the Company and the NN Guarantors and, upon execution and delivery of the Joinder Agreement, the PEP Guarantors, acknowledges and agrees that: (i) the purchase and sale of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement, including the determination of the offering price of the Securities and any related discounts and commissions, is an arm’s-length commercial transaction among the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the several Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, and the Company and the Guarantors are capable of evaluating and understanding and understand and accept the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) in connection with each transaction contemplated hereby and the process leading to such transaction each Initial Purchaser is and has been acting solely as a principal and is not the agent or fiduciary of the Company, and the Guarantors or their respective affiliates, stockholders, creditors or employees or any other party; (iii) no Initial Purchaser has assumed or will assume an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Company and the Guarantors with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether such Initial Purchaser has advised or is currently advising the Company and the Guarantors on other matters) or any other obligation to the Company and the Guarantors except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement; (iv) the several Initial Purchasers and their respective affiliates

 

34


may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Company and the Guarantors, and the several Initial Purchasers have no obligation to disclose any of such interests by virtue of any fiduciary or advisory relationship; and (v) the Initial Purchasers have not provided any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to the offering contemplated hereby, and the Company and the Guarantors have consulted their own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent they deemed appropriate.

This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (whether written or oral) among the Company, the Guarantors and the several Initial Purchasers, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof. The Company and the Guarantors hereby waive and release, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that the Company and the Guarantors may have against the several Initial Purchasers with respect to any breach or alleged breach of fiduciary duty.

SECTION 18. Survival. The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the Company, the Guarantors, their respective officers and the several Initial Purchasers set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Initial Purchaser, the Company, any Guarantor or any of their partners, officers or directors or any controlling person, as the case may be, and will survive delivery of and payment for the Securities sold hereunder and any termination of this Agreement.

SECTION 19. Miscellaneous.

(a) Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties to this Agreement and supersedes all prior written or oral and all contemporaneous oral agreements, understandings and negotiations with respect to the subject matter hereof.

(b) Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each one of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by telecopier, facsimile or other electronic transmission (i.e., a “pdf” or “tif”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart thereof.

(c) Amendments and Waivers. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, nor any consent or approval to any departure therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the parties hereto.

(d) Headings . The headings herein are included for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of, or to affect the meaning or interpretation of, this Agreement.

 

35


If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please indicate your acceptance of this Agreement by signing in the space provided below.

 

Very truly yours,
  NN, INC.
  By:  

/s/ Richard D. Holder

    Name:   Richard D. Holder
    Title:   Chief Executive Officer and President
  INDUSTRIAL MOLDING CORPORATION,
as a Guarantor
  By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

    Name:   James H. Dorton
    Title:   Vice President
  WHIRLAWAY CORPORATION,
as a Guarantor
  By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

    Name:   James H. Dorton
    Title:   Vice President
  PNC ACQUISITION COMPANY, INC.,
as a Guarantor
  By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

    Name:   James H. Dorton
    Title:   Vice President

 

[Signature Page to the Purchase Agreement]


  PMC ACQUISITION COMPANY, INC.,
as a Guarantor
  By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

    Name:   James H. Dorton
    Title:   Vice President
  PMC USA ACQUISITION COMPANY, INC.,
as a Guarantor
  By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

    Name:   James H. Dorton
    Title:   Vice President
  THE DELTA RUBBER COMPANY,
as a Guarantor
  By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

    Name:   James H. Dorton
    Title:   Vice President
  CAPROCK MANUFACTURING, INC.,
as a Guarantor
  By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

    Name:   James H. Dorton
    Title:   Vice President
  CAPROCK ENCLOSURES, LLC,
as a Guarantor
  By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

    Name:   James H. Dorton
    Title:   Vice President

 

[Signature Page to the Purchase Agreement]


 

NN PRECISION PLASTICS, INC.,

as a Guarantor

  By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

    Name:   James H. Dorton
    Title:   Vice President
 

AUTOCAM CORPORATION,

as a Guarantor

  By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

    Name:   James H. Dorton
    Title:   Vice President
  AUTOCAM-PAX, INC.,
as the Guarantor
  By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

    Name:   James H. Dorton
    Title:   Vice President

 

[Signature Page to the Purchase Agreement]


The foregoing Purchase Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted by the Initial Purchasers as of the date first above written.

 

S UN T RUST R OBINSON H UMPHREY , I NC .

Acting on behalf of itself and as the Representative of the several Initial Purchasers

By:   SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc.
By:  

/s/ Chris White

  Title:   Managing Director

 

[Signature Page to the Purchase Agreement]

Exhibit 10.2

NN, Inc.

$300,000,000

10.25% Senior Notes due 2020

Joinder to the Purchase Agreement

October 19, 2015

S UNTRUST R OBINSON H UMPHREY , I NC .

    As Representatives of the Initial Purchasers

303 Peachtree Street, 10th Floor

Atlanta, GA 30308

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to the Purchase Agreement (the “ Purchase Agreement ”) dated October 19, 2015, initially among NN, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), the NN Guarantors (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) and you, as representative for the Initial Purchasers, concerning the purchase of Securities (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) from the Company by the Initial Purchasers. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Purchase Agreement. This is the Joinder Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) referred to in Section 2(m) of the Purchase Agreement.

Each of the Guarantors listed on Schedule I hereto (the “ PEP Guarantors ”) agrees that this Agreement is being executed and delivered in connection with the issue and sale of the Securities pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and to induce the Initial Purchasers to purchase the Securities thereunder. This Agreement is being executed on the Closing Date.

1. Joinder . Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees to become bound by the terms, conditions and other provisions of the Purchase Agreement with all attendant rights, duties and obligations stated therein, with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Guarantor and as if such party executed the Purchase Agreement on the date thereof.

2. Representations, Warranties and Agreements of the Guarantors . Each of the PEP Guarantors party hereto represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Initial Purchasers on and as of the date hereof that:

(a) Each of the PEP Guarantors has the corporate or limited liability power to execute and deliver this Agreement and all corporate or limited liability action required to be taken by each of them for the due and proper authorization, execution, delivery and

 

1


performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby has been duly and validly taken; this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each of the PEP Guarantors party hereto and constitutes a valid and legally binding agreement of each of the PEP Guarantors party hereto, enforceable against each of the PEP Guarantors party hereto in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

(b) the representations, warranties and agreements of the PEP Guarantors set forth in Section 2 of the Purchase Agreement were true and correct on and as of the date of the Purchase Agreement and are true and correct on and as of the date hereof.

3. Governing Law . This Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

4. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts (which may include counterparts delivered by any standard form of telecommunication) and, if executed in more than one counterpart, the executed counterparts shall each be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

5. Amendments . No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, nor any consent or approval to any departure therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the parties hereto.

6. Headings . The headings herein are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of, or to affect the meaning or interpretation of, this Agreement.


If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please indicate your acceptance of this Agreement by signing in the space provided below.

 

Very truly yours,
PRECISION ENGINEERED PRODUCTS HOLDINGS, INC.
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
PRECISION ENGINEERED PRODUCTS LLC
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
BRAININ-ADVANCE INDUSTRIES LLC
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
POLYMETALLURGICAL LLC
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
BOSTON ENDO-SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President

[Signature Page to Joinder to the Purchase Agreement]


LACEY MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
CONNECTICUT PLASTICS LLC
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
WAUCONDA TOOL & ENGINEERING LLC
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
ADVANCED PRECISION PRODUCTS, INC.
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
HOWESTEMCO, LLC
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
PREMCO, INC.
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President

[Signature Page to Joinder to the Purchase Agreement]


PROFILES INCORPORATED
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
HOLMED, LLC
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
GENERAL METAL FINISHING LLC
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
MATRIX I, LLC
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
TRIGON INTERNATIONAL LLC
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President

[Signature Page to Joinder to the Purchase Agreement]


Schedule I

Guarantors

 

1.   Precision Engineered Products Holdings, Inc.
2.   Precision Engineered Products LLC
3.   Brainin-Advance Industries LLC
4.   Polymetallurgical LLC
5.   Boston Endo-Surgical Technologies LLC
6.   Lacey Manufacturing Company, LLC
7.   Connecticut Plastics LLC
8.   Wauconda Tool & Engineering LLC
9.   Advanced Precision Products, Inc.
10.   HowesTemco, LLC
11.   Premco, Inc.
12.   Profiles Incorporated
13.   Holmed, LLC
14.   General Metal Finishing LLC
15.   Matrix I LLC
16.   Trigon International LLC

 

Sch. 1

Exhibit 10.3

Execution Version

ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT LEGEND . THE LOANS HAVE BEEN ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT FOR UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. THE ISSUE PRICE, AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, ISSUE DATE AND YIELD TO MATURITY OF THE LOANS MAY BE OBTAINED BY WRITING TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AT THE ADDRESS FOR NOTICES SPECIFIED HEREIN.

 

 

 

Published CUSIP Number: 62933RAE2

Revolving Loan Facility CUSIP Number: 62933RAF9

Initial Term Loan Facility CUSIP Number: 62933RAG7

CREDIT AGREEMENT

Dated as of October 19, 2015

among

NN, INC.,

as the Borrower,

KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Administrative Agent,

REGIONS BANK,

as Syndication Agent,

and

SUNTRUST BANK,

as Documentation Agent

 

 

KEYBANC CAPITAL MARKETS INC.,

SUNTRUST ROBINSON HUMPHREY, INC.

and

REGIONS CAPITAL MARKETS (a division of Regions Bank),

as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

Article I

 

DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

     1   

1.01

 

Defined Terms

     1   

1.02

 

Other Interpretive Provisions

     41   

1.03

 

Accounting Terms

     41   

1.04

 

Rounding

     42   

1.05

 

Times of Day; Rates

     42   

1.06

 

Currency Equivalents Generally

     42   

1.07

 

Letter of Credit Amounts

     43   

Article II

 

THE COMMITMENTS AND BORROWINGS

     43   

2.01

 

The Loans

     43   

2.02

 

Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans

     44   

2.03

 

Letters of Credit

     45   

2.04

 

Swing Line Loans

     55   

2.05

 

Prepayments

     59   

2.06

 

Termination or Reduction of Commitments

     62   

2.07

 

Repayment of Loans

     64   

2.08

 

Interest

     65   

2.09

 

Fees

     66   

2.10

 

Computation of Interest and Fees; Retroactive Adjustments of Applicable Rate

     66   

2.11

 

Evidence of Debt

     67   

2.12

 

Payments Generally; Administrative Agent’s Clawback

     67   

2.13

 

Sharing of Payments by Lenders

     69   

2.14

 

Increase in Commitments

     70   

2.15

 

Defaulting Lenders

     75   

2.16

 

Cash Collateral

     77   

Article III

 

TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

     79   

3.01

 

Taxes

     79   

3.02

 

Illegality

     83   

3.03

 

Inability to Determine Rates

     84   

 

-i-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

         Page  

3.04

 

Increased Costs; Reserves on Eurodollar Rate Loans

     85   

3.05

 

Compensation for Losses

     86   

3.06

 

Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders

     87   

3.07

 

Survival

     88   

Article IV

 

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CLOSING AND BORROWING

     88   

4.01

 

Conditions of Closing and Initial Borrowing

     88   

4.02

 

Conditions to All Credit Extensions

     93   

Article V

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     93   

5.01

 

Corporate Existence; Subsidiaries; Foreign Qualification

     93   

5.02

 

Corporate Authority

     94   

5.03

 

Governmental Authorization; Other Consents

     94   

5.04

 

Litigation and Administrative Proceedings

     95   

5.05

 

Title to Assets

     95   

5.06

 

Liens and Security Interests

     95   

5.07

 

Tax Returns

     95   

5.08

 

Environmental Laws

     95   

5.09

 

Locations

     96   

5.10

 

Continued Business

     96   

5.11

 

Employee Benefits Plans

     96   

5.12

 

Consents or Approvals

     97   

5.13

 

Solvency

     98   

5.14

 

Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect

     98   

5.15

 

Regulations

     98   

5.16

 

Material Agreements

     98   

5.17

 

Intellectual Property

     99   

5.18

 

Insurance

     99   

5.19

 

Casualty, Etc.

     99   

5.20

 

Labor Matters

     99   

5.21

 

OFAC; Anti-Money Laundering; FCPA

     99   

5.22

 

Certain Treasury Regulation Matters

     100   

 

-ii-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

         Page  

5.23

 

Deposit Accounts; Securities Accounts

     100   

5.24

 

Accurate and Complete Statements

     100   

5.25

 

[Reserved]

     100   

5.26

 

Investment Company

     101   

5.27

 

Defaults

     101   

5.28

 

Senior Debt Status

     101   

Article VI

 

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

     101   

6.01

 

Financial Statements

     101   

6.02

 

Certificates; Other Information

     102   

6.03

 

Notices

     105   

6.04

 

Payment of Taxes and Other Obligations

     106   

6.05

 

Preservation of Existence, Etc.

     106   

6.06

 

Maintenance of Properties

     106   

6.07

 

Maintenance of Insurance

     107   

6.08

 

Compliance with Laws

     107   

6.09

 

Books and Records

     108   

6.10

 

Inspection Rights

     108   

6.11

 

Use of Proceeds

     108   

6.12

 

Covenant to Guarantee Obligations and Give Security

     108   

6.13

 

Compliance with Environmental Laws

     112   

6.14

 

Information Regarding Collateral

     112   

6.15

 

Maintenance of Debt Ratings

     112   

6.16

 

Further Assurances

     113   

6.17

 

Post-Closing Matters

     113   

6.18

 

Lender Meeting

     113   

Article VII

 

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

     113   

7.01

 

Liens

     113   

7.02

 

Indebtedness

     115   

7.03

 

Investments and Acquisitions

     117   

7.04

 

Fundamental Changes

     119   

 

-iii-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

         Page  

7.05

 

Dispositions

     120   

7.06

 

Restricted Payments

     121   

7.07

 

Change in Nature of Business

     122   

7.08

 

Transactions with Affiliates

     122   

7.09

 

Burdensome Agreements

     122   

7.10

 

Use of Proceeds

     122   

7.11

 

Amendments of Organization Documents

     123   

7.12

 

Accounting Changes

     123   

7.13

 

Sanctions; FCPA

     123   

7.14

 

Financial Covenant

     123   

7.15

 

Restrictions Pertaining to Certain Indebtedness

     124   

7.16

 

New Notes

     124   

Article VIII

 

EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

     124   

8.01

 

Events of Default

     124   

8.02

 

Remedies upon Event of Default

     127   

8.03

 

Application of Funds

     128   

Article IX

 

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

     129   

9.01

 

Appointment and Authority

     129   

9.02

 

Rights as a Lender

     130   

9.03

 

Exculpatory Provisions

     130   

9.04

 

Reliance by Administrative Agent

     131   

9.05

 

Delegation of Duties

     131   

9.06

 

Resignation of Administrative Agent

     132   

9.07

 

Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders

     133   

9.08

 

No Other Duties, Etc.

     134   

9.09

 

Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim; Credit Bidding

     134   

9.10

 

Collateral and Guaranty Matters

     135   

9.11

 

Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements

     136   

Article X

 

MISCELLANEOUS

     137   

10.01

 

Amendments, Etc.

     137   

 

-iv-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

         Page  

10.02

 

Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communications

     140   

10.03

 

No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Enforcement

     142   

10.04

 

Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver

     142   

10.05

 

Payments Set Aside

     144   

10.06

 

Successors and Assigns

     144   

10.07

 

Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality

     149   

10.08

 

Right of Setoff

     150   

10.09

 

Interest Rate Limitation

     151   

10.10

 

Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness

     151   

10.11

 

Survival of Representations and Warranties

     151   

10.12

 

Severability

     152   

10.13

 

Replacement of Lenders

     152   

10.14

 

Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.

     153   

10.15

 

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

     154   

10.16

 

No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility

     154   

10.17

 

Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents

     155   

10.18

 

USA PATRIOT Act

     155   

10.19

 

Inconsistencies with Other Documents

     155   

 

-v-


SCHEDULES

 

2.01    Commitments and Applicable Percentages
5.01    Corporate Existence; Subsidiaries; Foreign Qualifications
5.04    Litigation and Administrative Procedures
5.05    Real Property
5.09    Locations
5.11    US Employee Benefit Plans; Foreign Pension and Benefit Plans
5.16    Material Agreements
5.17    Intellectual Property
5.18    Insurance
5.23    Deposit Accounts
6.17    Post-Closing Matters
7.01    Existing Liens
7.02    Existing Indebtedness
7.03    Existing Investments
10.02    Administrative Agent’s Office, Certain Addresses for Notices

EXHIBITS

 

Form of
A    Committed Loan Notice
B    Swing Line Loan Notice
C-1    Term Note
C-2    Revolving Credit Note
C    Compliance Certificate
D    Assignment and Assumption
E-1    U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (Non-Partnership Foreign Lenders)
E-2    U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (Non-Partnership Foreign Participants)
E-3    U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (Foreign Participant Partnerships)
E-4    U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (Foreign Lender Partnerships)

 

vi


CREDIT AGREEMENT

This CREDIT AGREEMENT (“ Agreement ”) is entered into as of October 19, 2015, among NN, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), each lender from time to time party hereto (collectively, the “ Lenders ” and each individually, a “ Lender ”), and KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent.

PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS :

WHEREAS, the Borrower desires to acquire (the “ Closing Date Acquisition ”) 100% of the equity interests of Precision Engineered Products Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”).

WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that, in connection with the consummation of the Closing Date Acquisition, the Lenders lend to the Borrower a portion of the consideration necessary (i) to pay to PEP Industries, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Seller ”), the cash consideration for their Equity Interests in the Company, (ii) to pay transaction fees and expenses and (iii) to refinance certain Indebtedness of the Borrower, the Company and their respective Subsidiaries.

In furtherance of the foregoing, the Borrower has requested that the Lenders provide an initial term loan and a revolving credit facility to the Borrower, and the Lenders have indicated their willingness to lend and the L/C Issuers have indicated their willingness to issue letters of credit, in each case, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

1.01 Defined Terms . As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

Acquisition ” means any transaction or series of related transactions for the purpose of or resulting, directly or indirectly, in (a) the acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of any Person, or any business or division of any Person, (b) the acquisition of in excess of 50% of the Equity Interests of any Person, or (c) the acquisition of another Person by a merger, consolidation, amalgamation or any other combination with such Person.

Additional Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.14(b) .

Administrative Agent ” means KeyBank in its capacity as administrative agent under any of the Loan Documents, or any successor administrative agent.

Administrative Agent’s Office ” means the Administrative Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 10.02 , or such other address or account as the Administrative Agent may from time to time notify to the Borrower and the Lenders.


Administrative Questionnaire ” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied from time to time by the Administrative Agent.

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.

Aggregate Commitments ” means the Commitments of all the Lenders.

Agreement ” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.

Anti-Corruption Laws ” means the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act 2010, or other similar legislation in other jurisdictions.

Applicable Fee Rate ” means the Applicable Rate with respect to the “Commitment Fee” as set forth in the definition of Applicable Rate.

Applicable Percentage ” means (a) in respect of the Term Facility, with respect to any Term Lender at any time, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the Term Facility represented by (i) such Term Lender’s Term Commitment at such time, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.15 , plus (ii) the principal amount of such Term Lender’s Term Loans at such time and (b) in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility, with respect to any Revolving Credit Lender at any time, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the Revolving Credit Facility represented by such Revolving Credit Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment at such time, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.15 . If the commitment of each Lender to make Loans and the obligation of the L/C Issuers to make L/C Credit Extensions have been terminated pursuant to Section 8.02 , or if the Revolving Credit Commitments or the Term Commitments have expired, then the Applicable Percentage of each Lender in respect of the applicable Facility shall be determined based on the Applicable Percentage of such Lender in respect of such Facility most recently in effect, giving effect to any subsequent assignments. The initial Applicable Percentage of each Lender in respect of each Facility is set forth opposite the name of such Lender on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable.

Applicable Rate ” means, at any time, in respect of (x) the Initial Term Facility, 3.75% per annum for Base Rate Loans and 4.75% per annum for Eurodollar Rate Loans; provided that the Applicable Rate with respect to any Incremental Term Loans shall be determined in accordance with Section 2.14 , and (y) the Revolving Credit Facility, (a) from the Closing Date to the date on which the Administrative Agent receives a Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 6.02 for the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2016, (i) 2.50% per annum for Base Rate Loans, (ii) 3.50% per annum for Eurodollar Rate Loans and Letter of Credit Fees and (iii) 0.50% per annum for the Commitment Fee and (b) thereafter, the applicable percentage per annum set forth below determined by reference to the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as set forth in the most recent Compliance Certificate received by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.02(b) :

 

Pricing Level

   Consolidated
Leverage Ratio
   Base Rate Loans      Eurocurrency
Rate Loans /

Letter of Credit
Fees
     Commitment Fee  

1

   > 4.00x      250.0         350.0         50.0   

2

   > 3.50x and < 4.00x      225.0         325.0         50.0   

3

   > 3.00x and < 3.50x      200.0         300.0         50.0   

4

   > 2.50x and < 3.00x      175.0         275.0         37.5   

5

   < 2.50x      150.0         250.0         25.0   

 

-2-


Any increase or decrease in the Applicable Rate resulting from a change in the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall become effective as of the first Business Day immediately following the date a Compliance Certificate is delivered pursuant to Section 6.02(b) ; provided that if either an Event of Default exists or a Compliance Certificate is not delivered when due in accordance with Section 6.02(b) , then Pricing Level 1 shall apply in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility as of the first Business Day after either an Event of Default exists or the date on which such Compliance Certificate was required to have been delivered, as applicable, and shall remain in effect until the date on which no Event of Default exists and such Compliance Certificate is delivered.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this definition, the determination of the Applicable Rate for any period shall be subject to the provisions of Section 2.10(b) .

Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage ” means with respect to any Revolving Credit Lender at any time, such Revolving Credit Lender’s Applicable Percentage in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility at such time.

Appropriate Lender ” means, at any time, (a) with respect to any Facility, a Lender that has a Commitment with respect to such Facility or holds a Loan under such Facility at such time, (b) with respect to the Letter of Credit Sublimit, (i) the L/C Issuers and (ii) if any Letters of Credit have been issued pursuant to Section 2.03(a) , the Revolving Credit Lenders and (c) with respect to the Swing Line Sublimit, (i) the Swing Line Lender and (ii) if any Swing Line Loans are outstanding pursuant to Section 2.04(a) , the Revolving Credit Lenders.

Approved Fund ” means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

Arrangers ” means, collectively, KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. and Regions Capital Markets, a division of Regions Bank, in their respective capacities as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners.

 

-3-


Assignment and Assumption ” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 10.06(b) ), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit D or any other form (including electronic documentation generated by use of an electronic platform) approved by the Administrative Agent.

Attributable Indebtedness ” means, on any date, (a) in respect of any Capitalized Lease of any Person, the capitalized amount thereof that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP, (b) in respect of any Synthetic Lease Obligation, the capitalized amount of the remaining lease or similar payments under the relevant lease or other applicable agreement or instrument that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP if such lease or other agreement or instrument were accounted for as a Capitalized Lease and (c) all Synthetic Debt of such Person.

Audited Financial Statements ” means, collectively, the Borrower Audited Financial Statements and the Company Audited Financial Statements.

Availability Period ” means, (a) in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility, the period commencing on the day after the Closing Date to the earliest of (i) the Maturity Date for the Revolving Credit Facility, (ii) the date of termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments pursuant to Section 2.06 , and (iii) the date of termination of the commitment of each Revolving Credit Lender to make Revolving Credit Loans and of the obligation of the L/C Issuers to make L/C Credit Extensions pursuant to Section 8.02 , (b) in respect of the Initial Term Facility, the Closing Date, and (c) in respect of any Incremental Term Facility, as determined in accordance with Section 2.14 .

Base Rate ” means for any day a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2 of 1% (b) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by KeyBank as its “prime rate”, and (c) the Eurodollar Rate plus 1.00%. The “prime rate” is a rate set by KeyBank based upon various factors including KeyBank’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate. Any change in such rate announced by KeyBank shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.

Base Rate Loan ” means a Revolving Credit Loan or a Term Loan that bears interest based on the Base Rate.

Borrower ” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.

Borrower Audited Financial Statements ” means the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (but not including the Company and its Subsidiaries) for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2012, December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal year of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including the notes thereto.

Borrower Interim Financial Statements ” has the meaning specified in Section 4.01(a)(ix) .

 

-4-


Borrower Materials ” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02 .

Borrower Pro Forma Financial Statements ” has the meaning specified in Section 4.01(a)(x) .

Borrowing ” means a Revolving Credit Borrowing, a Swing Line Borrowing or a Term Borrowing, as the context may require.

Business Day ” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the Laws of, or are in fact closed in, the state where the Administrative Agent’s Office is located and, if such day relates to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, means any such day that is also a London Banking Day.

Call Premium ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05(c) .

Capital Distribution ” means a payment made, liability incurred or other consideration given by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, for the purchase, acquisition, redemption, repurchase, payment, defeasance, cancellation, termination or retirement of any capital stock or other Equity Interest of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as applicable, or as a dividend, return of capital or other distribution (other than any stock dividend, stock split or other equity distribution payable only in its common capital stock or other common Equity Interests) in respect of the Borrower’s or such Subsidiary’s (as the case may be) capital stock or other Equity Interest.

Capital Expenditures ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, any expenditure in respect of the purchase or other acquisition of any fixed or capital asset (excluding normal replacements and maintenance which are properly charged to current operations).

Capitalized Leases ” means all leases that have been or should be, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as capitalized leases.

Cash Collateralize ” means to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of one or more of the respective L/C Issuers or Swing Line Lender (as applicable) and the Lenders, as collateral for L/C Obligations, Obligations in respect of Swing Line Loans, or obligations of Lenders to fund participations in respect of either thereof (as the context may require), cash or deposit account balances or, if the Administrative Agent, the applicable L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender shall agree in their sole discretion, other credit support, in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance satisfactory to (a) the Administrative Agent and (b) the respective L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender (as applicable). “Cash Collateral” shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing and shall include the proceeds of such cash collateral and other credit support.

Cash Equivalents ” means any type of Investment permitted pursuant to Section 7.03(a)(ii) .

Cash Management Agreement ” means any agreement to provide cash management services, including treasury, depository, overdraft, credit or debit card, electronic funds transfer and other cash management arrangements.

 

-5-


Cash Management Bank ” means any Person that (a) at the time it enters into a Cash Management Agreement with a Loan Party, is the Administrative Agent, an Affiliate of the Administrative Agent, a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or (b) at the time it (or its Affiliate) becomes the Administrative Agent or a Lender, as applicable (including on the Closing Date), is a party to a Cash Management Agreement with a Loan Party, in each case in its capacity as a party to such Cash Management Agreement.

Change in Control ” means any of the following:

(a) the acquisition of, or, if earlier, the shareholder or director approval of the acquisition of, ownership or voting control, directly or indirectly, beneficially (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as then in effect) or of record, on or after the Closing Date, by any Person or group (within the meaning of Sections 13d and 14d of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as then in effect), of shares representing more than thirty-five percent (35%) of the aggregate ordinary Voting Power represented by the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Borrower;

(b) during any period of 12 consecutive months, a majority of the members of the board of directors or other equivalent governing body of the Borrower cease to be composed of individuals (i) who were members of that board or equivalent governing body on the first day of such period, (ii) whose election or nomination to that board or equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clause (i) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body or (iii) whose election or nomination to that board or other equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body;

(c) the Borrower shall cease to own, directly or indirectly, one hundred percent (100%) of the record and beneficial ownership of each other Loan Party; or

(d) the occurrence of a change in control, or other similar provision, as defined in any Material Indebtedness Agreement or under the New Notes Documents.

Change in Law ” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (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 or foreign 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.

 

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Closing Date ” means the first date all the conditions precedent in Section 4.01 are satisfied or waived in accordance with Section 10.01 .

Closing Date Acquisition ” has the meaning specified in the Preliminary Statements.

Closing Date Acquisition Agreement ” means that certain Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 17, 2015, by and among the Borrower, the Company and the Seller.

Closing Date Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio ” means 4.77:1.00.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

Collateral ” means all of the “ Collateral ” and “ Mortgaged Property ” or “ Trust Property ” or other similar term referred to in the Collateral Documents and all of the other property that is or is intended under the terms of the Collateral Documents to be subject to Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

Collateral Documents ” means, collectively, the Security Agreement, the Intellectual Property Security Agreements, the Mortgages, each of the mortgages, collateral assignments, Security Joinder Agreements, security agreements, pledge agreements or other similar agreements delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.12 , and each of the other agreements, instruments or documents that creates or purports to create a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

Commitment ” means a Term Commitment or a Revolving Credit Commitment, as the context may require.

Commitment Fee ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.09(a) .

Committed Loan Notice ” means a notice of (a) a Term Borrowing, (b) a Revolving Credit Borrowing, (c) a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or (d) a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans, pursuant to Section 2.02(a) , which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A or such other form as may be approved by the Administrative Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system, as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.

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

Company ” has the meaning specified in the Preliminary Statements.

Company Audited Financial Statements ” means the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2012, December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal year of the Company and its Subsidiaries, including the notes thereto.

 

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Company Interim Financial Statements ” has the meaning specified in Section 4.01(a)(ix) .

Company Material Adverse Effect ” means a material adverse effect on the financial condition, business, properties, or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, excluding any change, occurrence, event or effect resulting directly or indirectly from (i) international, national, regional or industry-wide political, economic or business conditions (including financial, banking, securities and capital market conditions and any disruption thereof and adverse changes in the price of precious metals or other natural resources used by the Company and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary and usual course of their business, consistent with past practice), (ii) acts of war (whether or not declared), sabotage or terrorism, military actions or the escalation thereof, hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, tornadoes, mudslides, wild fires or other natural disasters and other force majeure events, (iii) any change, occurrence, event or effect generally applicable to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries or affecting any of the following industries: precision manufacturing, medical and FDA-compliant devices, electrical controls, transportation or power grid distribution, (iv) actual or proposed changes in the Law (as defined in the Closing Date Acquisition Agreement) or applicable accounting regulations or standards (including GAAP (as defined in the Closing Date Acquisition Agreement)) or interpretations thereof, (v) any changes in the technology used by the Company and its Subsidiaries, their customers or others in any of the following industries: precision manufacturing, medical and FDA-compliant devices, electrical controls, transportation or power grid distribution, (vi) any failure by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to meet any internal or published projections, forecasts or revenue or earnings predictions for any period, (vii) any matter that is set forth in any disclosure schedule to the Closing Date Acquisition Agreement, or (viii) the execution or announcement of the Closing Date Acquisition Agreement or of the Closing (as defined in the Closing Date Acquisition Agreement) or the taking of any action contemplated or required by the Closing Date Acquisition Agreement, or the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, provided that the exception in clause (vi) shall not prevent or otherwise affect a determination that the facts giving rise or contributing to any such failure has resulted in or contributed to a Company Material Adverse Effect, except that any change, occurrence, event or effect resulting from the matters described in clauses (i) through (v) above may constitute a Company Material Adverse Effect, and shall be taken into account in determining whether a Company Material Adverse Effect has occurred or would or could occur to the extent that such change, occurrence, event or effect has a disproportionate impact on the Company and its Subsidiaries as compared to any of the other companies in the industries in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate.

Compliance Certificate ” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C .

Connection Income Taxes ” means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.

Consideration ” means, in connection with an Acquisition, the aggregate consideration paid or to be paid, including borrowed funds, cash, deferred payments, the issuance of securities or notes, the assumption or incurring of liabilities (direct or contingent), the payment of consulting fees or fees for a covenant not to compete and any other consideration paid or to be paid for such Acquisition.

 

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Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Charges ” means, for any period, the aggregate of all depreciation and amortization charges for fixed assets, leasehold improvements and general intangibles (specifically including goodwill) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period, as determined on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated EBITDA ” means, for any period, as determined on a consolidated basis, Consolidated Net Earnings for such period, plus (a) without duplication, the aggregate amounts deducted in determining such Consolidated Net Earnings in respect of: (i) Consolidated Interest Expense, (ii) Consolidated Income Tax Expense, (iii) Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Charges, (iv) actual non-recurring non-cash restructuring charges to the extent such amounts together do not exceed $20,000,000 in the aggregate over all periods, (v) foreign exchange losses as reported in “Other Income” according to GAAP and the negative impact to Consolidated EBITDA resulting from converting foreign currency-based income to Dollar-based income to the extent such amounts together exceed $15,000,000 for such period, (vi) synergies, cost savings and other pro forma adjustments to actual historical Consolidated EBITDA in connection with the Closing Date Acquisition or any Acquisition permitted pursuant to Section 7.03(b) to the extent realized within 12 months of the Closing Date Acquisition or such Acquisition, as applicable; provided that such synergies, cost savings and other adjustments are (A) directly attributable to the Closing Date Acquisition or such Acquisition, (B) factually supportable, (C) reasonably identifiable, (D) expected to have a continuing impact on the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and (E) consistent with Regulation S-X of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and (vii) to the extent deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Earnings for such period, Transaction Costs minus (b) without duplication, the aggregate amounts included in determining such Consolidated Net Earnings in respect of: (i) unusual non-cash gains not incurred in the ordinary course of business and (ii) foreign exchange gains as reported in Other Income according to GAAP and the positive impact to Consolidated EBITDA resulting from converting foreign currency-based income to Dollar-based income to the extent such amounts together exceed $15,000,000 for such period. For purposes of this Agreement, Consolidated EBITDA shall be adjusted pursuant to Section 1.03(c) . Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary contained herein, Consolidated EBITDA for each of the fiscal quarters ended December 31, 2014, March 31, 2015 and June 30, 2015 shall be deemed to equal $44,087,000, $43,593,000 and $44,091,000, respectively, Consolidated EBITDA for each of the fiscal months ended July 31, 2015 and August 31, 2015 shall be deemed to equal $12,486,000 and $12,724,000, respectively, and Consolidated EBITDA for the period from September 1, 2015 through the Closing Date shall be determined in a manner consistent with the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA for the fiscal quarters ended December 31, 2014, March 31, 2015 and June 30, 2015 and the fiscal months ended July 31, 2015 and August 31, 2015.

Consolidated Funded Indebtedness ” means, at any date, all Indebtedness (including, but not limited to, current, long-term and Subordinated Indebtedness, if any) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, as determined on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.

 

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Consolidated Income Tax Expense ” means, for any period, all provisions for taxes based on the gross or net income of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, any additions to such taxes, and any penalties and interest with respect thereto), as determined on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Interest Expense ” means, for any period, the interest expense of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period, as determined on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Net Earnings ” means, for any period, the net income (or loss) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period, as determined on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP; provided that Consolidated Net Earnings shall exclude (a) extraordinary gains and extraordinary losses for such period, (b) the net income of any Subsidiary during such period to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Subsidiary of such income is not permitted by operation of the terms of its Organization Documents or any agreement, instrument or Law applicable to such Subsidiary during such period, except that the Borrower’s equity in any net loss of any such Subsidiary for such period shall be included in determining Consolidated Net Earnings, and (c) any income (or loss) for such period of any Person if such Person is not a Subsidiary, except that the Borrower’s equity in the net income of any such Person for such period shall be included in Consolidated Net Earnings up to the aggregate amount of cash actually distributed by such Person during such period to the Borrower or a Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution (and in the case of a dividend or other distribution to a Subsidiary, such Subsidiary is not precluded from further distributing such amount to the Borrower as described in clause (b) of this proviso).

Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio ” means, as of any date, determined on a consolidated basis, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Funded Indebtedness (as of such date) minus the aggregate amount equal to the lesser of (x) (1) 100% of the Unrestricted Cash and Cash Equivalents (as of such date) of the Borrower and its Domestic Subsidiaries plus (2) 50% of the Unrestricted Cash and Cash Equivalents (as of such date) of the Foreign Subsidiaries of the Borrower organized under the laws of a jurisdiction located in Europe, as of such date, and (y) $40,000,000, to (b) Consolidated EBITDA (for the most recently completed four fiscal quarters of the Borrower for which financials are required to be delivered hereunder).

Consolidated Leverage Ratio ” means, as of any date, determined on a consolidated basis, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Funded Indebtedness (as of such date) to (b) Consolidated EBITDA (for the most recently completed four fiscal quarters of the Borrower for which financials are required to be delivered hereunder).

Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio ” means, as of any date, determined on a consolidated basis, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Funded Indebtedness (as of such date) that is secured by Liens on assets or property of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries as of such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA (for the most recently completed four fiscal quarters of the Borrower for which financials are required to be delivered hereunder).

 

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Contractual Obligation ” means, as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.

Control ” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “ Controlling ” and “ Controlled ” have meanings correlative thereto.

Credit Extension ” means each of the following: (a) a Borrowing and (b) an L/C Credit Extension.

Cumulative Retained Excess Cash Flow Amount ” means, as of any date of determination, an amount, determined on a cumulative basis equal to the sum of (a) Excess Cash Flow (which shall not be less than zero) for each fiscal year of the Borrower ending on or after December 31, 2016 for which the Borrower has delivered the financial statements required by Section 6.01(a) and the related Compliance Certificate required by Section 6.02(b) less (b) the ECF Prepayment Amount for each such corresponding fiscal year.

Debt Rating ” means, as applicable, (a) the public corporate family rating of the Borrower as determined both Moody’s and S&P, (b) the public corporate credit rating of the Borrower as determined by both Moody’s and S&P, and (c) the senior secured debt rating of the Borrower as determined by both Moody’s and S&P.

Debtor Relief Laws ” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.

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

Default Rate ” means (a) when used with respect to Obligations other than Letter of Credit Fees, an interest rate equal to (i) the Base Rate plus (ii) the Applicable Rate applicable to Base Rate Loans under the Revolving Credit Facility plus (iii) 2% per annum; provided , however , that with respect to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the Default Rate shall be an interest rate equal to the interest rate (including any Applicable Rate) otherwise applicable to such Loan plus 2% per annum and (b) when used with respect to Letter of Credit Fees, a rate equal to the Applicable Rate applicable to Eurodollar Rate Loans under the Revolving Credit Facility plus 2% per annum.

Defaulting Lender ” means, subject to Section 2.15(b) , any Lender that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of its Loans within two Business Days of the date such Loans were required to be funded hereunder unless such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing) has not been satisfied, or (ii) pay to the Administrative Agent, any L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender or any other Lender any

 

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other amount required to be paid by it hereunder (including in respect of its participation in Letters of Credit or Swing Line Loans) within two Business Days of the date when due, (b) has notified the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the applicable L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder, or has made a public statement to that effect (unless such writing or public statement relates to such lender’s obligation to fund a Loan hereunder and states that such position is based on such Lender’s determination that a condition precedent to funding (which condition precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing or public statement) cannot be satisfied), (c) has failed, within three Business Days after written request by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, to confirm in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that it will comply with its prospective funding obligations hereunder (provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower), or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has other than via an Undisclosed Administration, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any Equity Interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender. Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a)  through (d)  above, and of the effective date of such status, shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 2.15(b) ) as of the date established therefor by the Administrative Agent in a written notice of such determination, which shall be delivered by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower, the L/C Issuers, the Swing Line Lender and each other Lender promptly following such determination.

Deposit Account Control Agreement ” has the meaning assigned thereto in the Security Agreement.

Designated Jurisdiction ” means any country or territory to the extent that such country or territory itself is the subject of any Sanction.

Disposition ” or “ Dispose ” means the sale, transfer, license, lease or other disposition (including any sale and leaseback transaction) of any property by any Person (or the granting of any option or other right to do any of the foregoing), including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith.

Disqualified Equity Interest ” means, with respect to any Person, any Equity Interest which by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable at the option of the holder) or upon the happening of any event: (a) matures or is

 

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mandatorily redeemable (other than redeemable only for Equity Interests of such Person which are not themselves Equity Interests described in this definition) pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise; (b) is convertible or exchangeable at the option of the holder for Indebtedness or Equity Interests described in this definition (excluding Equity Interests which are convertible or exchangeable solely at the option of the Borrower or a Subsidiary); or (c) is mandatorily redeemable or must be purchased upon the occurrence of certain events or otherwise, in whole or in part; in each case, in the case of the Borrower, on or prior to the ninety-first day following the final maturity date of the then issued Term Loans, as extended from time to time; provided that any Equity Interests that would not constitute Equity Interests described in this definition but for provisions thereof giving holders thereof the right to require such Person to purchase or redeem such Equity Interests upon the occurrence of an “asset sale” or “change of control” occurring prior to the ninety-first day following the final maturity date of the then-existing Term Loans shall not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests if any such requirement only becomes operative after payment in full of all amounts owing under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the termination in full of the Commitments. The amount of any Disqualified Equity Interests that do not have a fixed redemption, repayment or repurchase price will be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Disqualified Equity Interests as if such Disqualified Equity Interests were redeemed, repaid or repurchased on any date on which the amount of such Disqualified Equity Interests is to be determined pursuant to this Agreement; provided that if such Disqualified Equity Interests could not be required to be redeemed, repaid or repurchased at the time of such determination, the redemption, repayment or repurchase price will be the book value of such Disqualified Equity Interests as reflected in the most recent financial statements of such Person.

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

Domestic Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of any political subdivision of the United States.

ECF Percentage ” means, for any fiscal year ending on or after December 31, 2016:

(a) 50% if the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio as of the last day of such fiscal year is greater or equal to than 3.00 to 1.00;

(b) 25% if the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio as of the last day of such fiscal year is less than 3.00 to 1.00 but greater than or equal to 2.50 to 1.00; and

(c) 0% if the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio as of the last day of such fiscal year is less than 2.50 to 1.00.

ECF Prepayment Amount ” means for any fiscal year, the product obtained by multiplying (a) Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year times (b) the applicable ECF Percentage for such fiscal year.

Eligible Assignee ” means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Section 10.06(b)(iii) and (v)  (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 10.06(b)(iii) ).

 

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Environment ” means ambient air, indoor air, surface water, groundwater, drinking water, soil, surface and subsurface strata, and natural resources such as wetland, flora and fauna.

Environmental Laws ” means any and all Federal, state, local, and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, agreements or governmental restrictions relating to pollution or the protection of the Environment or human health (to the extent related to exposure to Hazardous Materials), including those relating to the manufacture, generation, handling, transport, storage, treatment, Release or threat of Release of Hazardous Materials.

Environmental Liability ” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Materials or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

Environmental Permit ” means any permit, approval, identification number, license or other authorization required under any Environmental Law.

Equity Interests ” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares (or such other interests), and all of the other ownership or profit interests in such Person (including partnership, member or trust interests therein), whether voting or nonvoting, and whether or not such shares, warrants, options, rights or other interests are outstanding on any date of determination.

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

ERISA Affiliate ” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with the Borrower within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code).

ERISA Event ” means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) the withdrawal of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which such entity was a “substantial employer” as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or notification that a Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization; (d) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate or the treatment of a Pension Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 or 4041A of ERISA; (e) the institution by the

 

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PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Pension Plan; (f) any event or condition which constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan; (g) the determination that any Pension Plan is considered an at-risk plan or a plan in endangered or critical status within the meaning of Sections 430, 431 and 432 of the Code or Sections 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA; (h) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate; or (i) a failure by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to meet all applicable requirements under the Pension Funding Rules in respect of a Pension Plan, whether or not waived, or the failure by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan.

Eurodollar Rate ” means:

(a) for any Interest Period with respect to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the rate per annum equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“ LIBOR ”) or a comparable or successor rate, which rate is approved by the Administrative Agent, as published on the applicable Bloomberg screen page (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, for Dollar deposits (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period; and

(b) for any interest calculation with respect to a Base Rate Loan on any date, the rate per annum equal to LIBOR, at or about 11:00 a.m., London time determined two Business Days prior to such date for U.S. Dollar deposits with a term of one month commencing that day;

provided that to the extent a comparable or successor rate is approved by the Administrative Agent in connection herewith, the approved rate shall be applied in a manner consistent with market practice; provided , further that to the extent such market practice is not administratively feasible for the Administrative Agent, such approved rate shall be applied in a manner as otherwise reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Eurodollar Rate be less than, with respect to Initial Term Loan, 1.00%, with respect to any Incremental Term Loan, as determined in accordance with Section 2.14 , and with respect to any other Loan or Obligation, 0.0%.

Eurodollar Rate Loan ” means a Loan that bears interest at a rate based on clause (a)  of the definition of the Eurodollar Rate.

Event of Default ” has the meaning specified in Section 8.01 .

Excess Cash Flow ” means, for any fiscal year of the Borrower, the excess (if any) of (a) Consolidated EBITDA for such fiscal year (determined without giving effect to clause (a)(vi) thereof and any adjustments thereto pursuant to Section 1.03(c) ) over (b) the sum (for such fiscal year) of (i) Consolidated Interest Expense actually paid in cash by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (ii) scheduled principal repayments, to the extent actually made in cash, of the Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.07 , (iii) all Consolidated Income Tax Expense actually paid in cash by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (iv) Capital Expenditures actually made by the

 

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Borrower and its Subsidiaries in cash, and (v) Transaction Costs actually paid by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in cash; provided that in each case of clauses (b)(i) through (v) such payment was not made with proceeds of any Indebtedness, Disposition, equity issuance, Extraordinary Receipts or other proceeds that would not be included in calculating Consolidated EBITDA for the applicable fiscal year.

Excluded Accounts ” has the meaning specified in the Security Agreement.

Excluded Swap Obligation ” means, with respect to any Guarantor, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Guaranty of such Guarantor of, or the grant by such Guarantor of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any Guaranty thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Guarantor’s failure for any reason to constitute an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act (determined after giving effect to Section 29 of the Security Agreement and any other “keepwell, support or other agreement” for the benefit of such Guarantor and any and all guarantees of such Guarantor’s Swap Obligations by other Loan Parties) at the time the Guaranty of such Guarantor, or a grant by such Guarantor of a security interest, becomes effective with respect to 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 Guaranty or security interest is or becomes excluded in accordance with the first sentence of this definition.

Excluded Taxes ” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its Lending Office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower under Section 10.13 ) or (ii) pursuant to Section 3.01(a)(ii) or (c), amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its Lending Office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 3.01(e) and (d) any U.S. Federal withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.

Existing Company Indebtedness ” means all Indebtedness evidenced by that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of December 22, 2010 (as amended through the Closing Date), by and between the Company, KeyBank National Association, as Administrative Agent, and the other parties thereto and the other loan documents thereunder.

 

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Existing Credit Agreement ” means that certain Credit Agreement dated as of August 29, 2014 (as amended through the Closing Date), among the Borrower, KeyBank National Association, as administrative agent and a syndicate of lenders party thereto.

Existing Indebtedness ” means all existing Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, the Company and its Subsidiaries), including, without limitation, (a) the Existing KeyBank Indebtedness, (b) the Existing Term Loan Agreement Indebtedness, and (c) the Existing Company Indebtedness, but excluding Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 7.02 .

Existing KeyBank Indebtedness ” means all Indebtedness evidenced by the Existing Credit Agreement and the other loan documents thereunder.

Existing Term Loan Agreement ” means that certain Term Loan Agreement dated August 29, 2014 (as amended through the Closing Date), among the Borrower, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and a syndicate of lenders party thereto.

Existing Term Loan Agreement Indebtedness ” means all Indebtedness evidenced by the Existing Term Loan Agreement and the other loan documents thereunder.

Extraordinary Receipt ” means any cash received by or paid to or for the account of any Person not in the ordinary course of business, including tax refunds, pension plan reversions, proceeds of insurance (other than proceeds of business interruption insurance to the extent such proceeds constitute compensation for lost earnings), condemnation awards (and payments in lieu thereof), indemnity payments and any purchase price adjustments; provided , however , that an Extraordinary Receipt shall not include cash receipts from proceeds of insurance, condemnation awards (or payments in lieu thereof) or indemnity payments to the extent that such proceeds, awards or payments in respect of loss or damage to equipment, fixed assets or real property are applied (or in respect of which expenditures were previously incurred) to replace or repair the equipment, fixed assets or real property in respect of which such proceeds were received in accordance with the terms of Section 2.05(b)(iv) .

Facility ” means the Term Facility or the Revolving Credit Facility, as the context may require.

FASB ASC ” means the Accounting Standards Codification of the Financial Accounting Standards Board.

FATCA ” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code.

Federal Funds Rate ” means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided that (a) if

 

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such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day, and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate (rounded upward, if necessary, to a whole multiple of 1/100 of 1%) charged to KeyBank on such day on such transactions as determined by the Administrative Agent.

Fee Letter ” means the letter agreement, dated August 17, 2015, among the Borrower, KeyBank National Association, SunTrust Bank, Regions Bank and the Arrangers.

Financial Covenant Event of Default ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.01 .

Financial Officer ” means any of the following officers: chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, chief administrative officer, treasurer or controller. Unless otherwise qualified, all references to a Financial Officer in this Agreement shall refer to a Financial Officer of the Borrower.

Foreign Benefit Plan ” means each material plan, fund, program or policy established under the law of a jurisdiction other than the United States (or a state or local government thereof), whether formal or informal, funded or unfunded, insured or uninsured, providing employee benefits, including medical, hospital care, dental, sickness, accident, disability, life insurance, pension, retirement or savings benefits, under which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries have any liability with respect to any employee or former employee, but excluding any Foreign Pension Plan.

Foreign Disposition ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05(b)(viii) .

Foreign Excess Cash Flow ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05(b)(viii) .

Foreign Lender ” means (a) if the Borrower is a U.S. Person, a Lender that is not a U.S. Person, and (b) if the Borrower is not a U.S. Person, a Lender that is resident or organized under laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is resident for tax purposes. For purposes of this definition, the United States, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.

Foreign Pension Plan ” means a pension plan required to be registered under the law of a jurisdiction other than the United States (or a state or local government thereof), that is maintained or contributed to by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries for their employees or former employees.

Foreign Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of any political subdivision other than any political subdivision of the United States.

FRB ” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States.

 

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Fronting Exposure ” means, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, (a) with respect to any L/C Issuer, such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the outstanding L/C Obligations with respect to the Letters of Credit issued by such L/C Issuer other than L/C Obligations as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof, and (b) with respect to the Swing Line Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of Swing Line Loans other than Swing Line Loans as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders in accordance with the terms hereof.

Fund ” means any Person (other than a natural Person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its activities.

Funding Indemnity Letter ” means, a letter agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, that the Borrower will promptly compensate each Lender for and hold such Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a result of Borrower’s failure to borrow any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on the Closing Date.

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other principles as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States, that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, consistently applied.

Governmental Authority ” means the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

Guarantee ” means, as to any Person, (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation payable or performable by another Person (the “ primary obligor ”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such Person, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance of such Indebtedness or other obligation, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity or level of income or cash flow of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation, or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), or (b) any Lien on any assets of such Person securing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person, whether

 

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or not such Indebtedness or other obligation is assumed by such Person (or any right, contingent or otherwise, of any holder of such Indebtedness to obtain any such Lien). The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the guaranteeing Person in good faith. The term “ Guarantee ” as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

Guarantors ” means, collectively, (a) the Domestic Subsidiaries of the Borrower (other than Inactive Subsidiaries and Immaterial Subsidiaries) listed on Schedule 5.01 and each other Subsidiary of the Borrower that shall be required to execute and deliver a Guaranty or guaranty supplement pursuant to Section 6.12 and (b) with respect to (i) Obligations owing by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party (other than the Borrower) under any Hedge Agreement or any Cash Management Agreement and (ii) the payment and performance by each Specified Loan Party of its obligations under its Guaranty with respect to all Swap Obligations, the Borrower.

Guaranty ” means, collectively, the Guaranty made by the Guarantor s in favor of the Secured Parties, together with each other guaranty and guaranty supplement delivered pursuant to Section 6.12 .

Hazardous Materials ” means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants including petroleum or petroleum distillates, natural gas, natural gas liquids, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, toxic mold, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances, wastes, chemicals, pollutants, contaminants or compounds of any nature in any form, in each case, regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.

Hedge Bank ” means any Person that (a) at the time it enters into a Swap Contract with a Loan Party permitted under Article VI or VII , is the Administrative Agent, an Affiliate of the Administrative Agent, a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or (b) at the time it (or its Affiliate) becomes the Administrative Agent or a Lender, as applicable (including on the Closing Date), is a party to a Swap Contract with a Loan Party, in each case in its capacity as a party to such Swap Contract.

IFRS ” means international accounting standards within the meaning of IAS Regulation 1606/2002 to the extent applicable to the relevant financial statements delivered under or referred to herein.

Immaterial Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Borrower that, (a) together with its Subsidiaries, (i) contributed less than 2% of the Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, during the most recently-ended four fiscal quarter period (taken as a single period) and (ii) as of any applicable date of determination has assets that constitute less than 2% aggregate net book value of the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) does not Guarantee or provide a Lien on its assets or otherwise provide credit support with respect to any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s other Subsidiaries, (c) does not own, directly or indirectly, any Equity Interests or Indebtedness of, or

 

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own or hold any Lien on any property of, a Loan Party, (d) does not own any other Subsidiaries (other than Inactive Subsidiaries or Immaterial Subsidiaries) and (e) has not been designated to be a Loan Party pursuant to Section 6.12(g) hereof.

Impacted Loans ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.03 .

Inactive Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Borrower that (a) owns no assets (other than assets of de minimis value), has no Subsidiaries (other than other Inactive Subsidiaries) and conducts no operations, (b) does not Guarantee or provide a Lien on its assets or otherwise provide credit support with respect to any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s other Subsidiaries, (c) does not own, directly or indirectly, any Equity Interests or Indebtedness of, or own or hold any Lien on any property of, a Loan Party and (d) has not been designated to be a Loan Party pursuant to Section 6.12(g) hereof.

Increase Effective Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.14(c) .

Incremental Excess Yield ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.14(a) .

Incremental Increase ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.14(a) .

Incremental Term Borrowing ” means a borrowing made pursuant to Section 2.14 , with respect to Incremental Term Loans consisting of the same Type and, in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period, made by each of the Term Lenders pursuant to Section 2.14 .

Incremental Term Loans ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.14(a) .

Indebtedness ” means, as to any Person at a particular time, without duplication, all of the following, whether or not included as indebtedness or liabilities in accordance with GAAP:

(a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money and all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments;

(b) the maximum amount of all direct or contingent obligations of such Person arising under letters of credit (including standby and commercial), bankers’ acceptances, bank guaranties, surety bonds and similar instruments;

(c) net obligations of such Person under any Swap Contract;

(d) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business and current liabilities in the form of expenses that are not the result of the borrowing of money or the extension of credit and that are listed on the financial statements of the Borrower as “other current liabilities”);

(e) indebtedness (excluding prepaid interest thereon) secured by a Lien on property owned or being purchased by such Person (including indebtedness arising under conditional sales or other title retention agreements), whether or not such indebtedness shall have been assumed by such Person or is limited in recourse;

 

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(f) all Attributable Indebtedness in respect of Capitalized Leases and Synthetic Lease Obligations of such Person and all Synthetic Debt of such Person;

(g) all obligations of such Person to purchase, redeem, retire, defease or otherwise make any payment in respect of any Equity Interest in such Person or any other Person or any warrant, right or option to acquire such Equity Interest, valued, in the case of a redeemable preferred interest, at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends;

(h) all obligations of such Person with respect to asset securitization financing programs to the extent that there is recourse against such Person or such Person is liable (contingent or otherwise) under any such program;

(i) all Guarantees of such Person in respect of any of the foregoing; and

(j) all Disqualified Equity Interests issued by such Person with the amount of Indebtedness represented by such Disqualified Equity Interests being equal to the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference and its maximum fixed repurchase price or, with respect to any Subsidiary, any preferred Equity Interests (but excluding, in each case, accrued dividends, if any).

For all purposes hereof, the Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer, unless such Indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to such Person. The amount of any net obligation under any Swap Contract on any date shall be deemed to be the Swap Termination Value thereof as of such date.

Indemnified Taxes ” means (a) Taxes other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in (a), Other Taxes.

Indemnitee ” has the meaning specified in Section 10.04(b) .

Information ” has the meaning specified in Section 10.07 .

Initial Term Borrowing ” means a borrowing made on the Closing Date, with respect to Initial Term Loans consisting of the same Type and, in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period, made by each of the Term Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01(a) .

Initial Term Commitment ” means, as to each Term Lender, its obligation to make Initial Term Loans to the Borrower on the Closing Date with respect to the Initial Term Facility pursuant to Section 2.01(a) , in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01 under the caption “Term Commitment” or opposite such caption in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

 

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Initial Term Loan ” means an advance made by any Term Lender under the Term Facility pursuant to Section 2.01(a) .

Intellectual Property Security Agreement ” has the meaning specified in Section 4.01(a)(iv) .

Interest Payment Date ” means, (a) as to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan and the Maturity Date of the Facility under which such Loan was made; provided , however , that if any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Rate Loan exceeds three months, the respective dates that fall every three months after the beginning of such Interest Period shall also be Interest Payment Dates; (b) as to any Base Rate Loan, the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December and the Maturity Date of the Facility under which such Loan was made; and (c) as to any Swing Line Loan, the second Business Day after the last day of each March, June, September and December and the Maturity Date of the Revolving Credit Facility.

Interest Period ” means, as to each Eurodollar Rate Loan, the period commencing on the date such Eurodollar Rate Loan is disbursed or converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Rate Loan and ending on the date one, two, three or six months thereafter (in each case, subject to availability), as selected by the Borrower in its Committed Loan Notice; provided that:

(i) any Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless, in the case of a Eurodollar Rate Loan, such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day;

(ii) any Interest Period pertaining to a Eurodollar Rate Loan 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

(iii) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date.

Investment ” means, as to any Person, any of the following: (a) creating, acquiring or holding any Subsidiary, (b) making or holding any investment in any stocks, bonds or securities of any kind, (c) being or becoming a party to any joint venture or other partnership, (d) making or keeping outstanding any advance or loan to any Person or assumption or acquisition of any debt of another Person, or (e) any Guarantee (other than the Guaranty). For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment.

IRS ” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

 

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ISP ” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the “International Standby Practices 1998” published by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, Inc. (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).

Issuer Documents ” means with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Letter of Credit Application, and any other document, agreement and instrument entered into by an L/C Issuer and the Borrower (or any Subsidiary) or in favor of such L/C Issuer and relating to such Letter of Credit.

KeyBank ” means KeyBank National Association.

Latest Maturity Date ” means, at any date of incurrence of any Indebtedness, the latest maturity or expiration date applicable to any Loan or Commitment hereunder at such time, including the latest maturity or expiration of any Initial Term Loan or any Incremental Term Loan or any applicable Commitment in respect thereof, in each case then outstanding and as extended in accordance with this Agreement from time to time.

Laws ” means, collectively, all international, foreign, Federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case whether or not having the force of law.

L/C Advance ” means, with respect to each Revolving Credit Lender, such Lender’s funding of its participation in any L/C Borrowing in accordance with its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage.

L/C Borrowing ” means an extension of credit resulting from a drawing under any Letter of Credit which has not been reimbursed on the date when made or refinanced as a Revolving Credit Borrowing.

L/C Credit Extension ” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the issuance thereof, extension of the expiry date thereof or the increase of the amount thereof.

L/C Issuer ” means, individually or collectively as the context may indicate, (a) KeyBank, SunTrust Bank and Regions Bank, in each case, in their respective capacity as issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, or any successor issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder and (b) any other Revolving Credit Lender, selected by the Borrower and reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, which consents to its appointment by the Borrower as an issue of Letters of Credit hereunder and becomes an L/C Issuer hereunder pursuant to a joinder agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel, in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder or any successor to such Lender in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder.

L/C Obligations ” means, as at any date of determination, the aggregate amount available to be drawn under all outstanding Letters of Credit plus the aggregate of all Unreimbursed

 

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Amounts, including all L/C Borrowings. For purposes of computing the amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.07 . For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Rule 3.14 of the ISP, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be “outstanding” in the amount so remaining available to be drawn.

Lender ” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto and, as the context requires, includes the Swing Line Lender.

Lending Office ” means, as to any Lender, the office or offices of such Lender described as such in such Lender’s Administrative Questionnaire, or such other office or offices as a Lender may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, which office may include any Affiliate of such Lender or any domestic or foreign branch of such Lender or such Affiliate. Unless the context otherwise requires each reference to a Lender shall include its applicable Lending Office.

Letter of Credit ” means any standby letter of credit issued hereunder, providing for the payment of cash upon the honoring of a presentation thereunder.

Letter of Credit Application ” means an application and agreement for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit in the form from time to time in use by an L/C Issuer.

Letter of Credit Expiration Date ” means the day that is thirty days prior to the Maturity Date then in effect for the Revolving Credit Facility (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next preceding Business Day).

Letter of Credit Fee ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(h) .

Letter of Credit Sublimit ” means, in the aggregate, an amount equal to the lesser of (a) $15,000,000 and (b) the Revolving Credit Facility and, with respect to each L/C Issuer, an amount not to exceed $5,000,000 unless otherwise agreed to by such L/C Issuer. The Letter of Credit Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Revolving Credit Facility.

Lien ” means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, easement, right-of-way or other encumbrance on title to real property, lien (statutory or other), charge, or preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement in the nature of a security interest of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, and any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).

Loan ” means an extension of credit by a Lender to the Borrower under Article II in the form of a Term Loan, a Revolving Credit Loan or a Swing Line Loan.

Loan Documents ” means, collectively, (a) this Agreement, (b) the Notes, (c) any agreement creating or perfecting rights in cash collateral pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.16 of this Agreement, (d) the Collateral Documents, (e) the Guaranty, (f) the Fee Letter and (g) each Issuer Document.

 

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Loan Parties ” means, collectively, the Borrower and each Guarantor.

London Banking Day ” means any day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank eurodollar market.

Material Adverse Effect ” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, liabilities (actual or contingent), operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Borrower, (b) the business, assets, liabilities (actual or contingent), operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (c) the ability of any Loan Party to perform its obligations under any Loan Document to which it is a party, or (d) the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against any Loan Party of any Loan Document to which it is a party.

Material Indebtedness Agreement ” means any debt instrument, lease (capital, operating or otherwise), guaranty, contract, commitment, agreement or other arrangement evidencing or entered into in connection with any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in excess of $30,000,000, including, without limitation, the New Notes Documents.

Material Real Property ” means any real property owned by a Loan Party in fee simple or leasehold real property of a Loan Party that (a) has a fair market value of $7,500,000 or (b) is designated by the Borrower in accordance with Section 6.12(h) .

Maturity Date ” means (a) with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility, October 19, 2020, (b) with respect to the Initial Term Facility, October 19, 2022, and (c) with respect to any Incremental Term Facility, as determined in accordance with Section 2.14 , in each case, if such maturity is extended pursuant to Section 10.01 , such maturity date as determined pursuant to such Section; provided that, in each case, if such date is not a Business Day, the Maturity Date shall be the next preceding Business Day. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if more than $25,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the New Notes remains outstanding (and not refinanced or replaced (including by amendment and extension) with Permitted Notes Refinancing Debt on the date that is 180 days prior to the applicable Maturity Date (such date, the “ New Maturity Date ”)), the Maturity Date with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility, the Initial Term Facility and any Incremental Term Facility shall be no later than the New Maturity Date. For the purposes of this definition, “Permitted Notes Refinancing Debt” means Indebtedness that (i) is not an obligation of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, (ii) matures no earlier than 91 days after the then Latest Maturity Date at the time such Indebtedness is incurred, (iii) has no interim amortization, (iv) has no mandatory prepayments or offers to purchase that are materially more onerous, taken as a whole, than those contained as of the Closing Date in the New Notes, (v) has no other covenants and events of default that are materially more onerous, taken as a whole, to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries than those contained in the New Notes, (vi) to the extent such Indebtedness has the benefit of any assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower as collateral, such Lien is on a junior basis to each Facility and (vii) is otherwise permitted to be incurred hereunder.

Minimum Collateral Amount ” means, at any time, (i) with respect to Cash Collateral consisting of cash or deposit account balances provided to reduce or eliminate Fronting Exposure during the existence of a Defaulting Lender, an amount equal to 105% of the Fronting Exposure

 

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of the applicable L/C Issuer with respect to Letters of Credit issued and outstanding at such time, (ii) with respect to Cash Collateral consisting of cash or deposit account balances provided in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.16(a)(i) , (a)(ii) or (a)(iii) , an amount equal to 105% of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations, and (iii) otherwise, an amount determined by the Administrative Agent and the applicable L/C Issuer in their sole discretion.

Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto.

Mortgage Policy ” has the meaning specified in Schedule 6.17 .

Mortgaged Property ” means any real property owned in fee simple by any Loan Party or leased by any Loan Party, which real property is or is intended under the terms hereof to be subject to a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

Mortgages ” means deeds of trust, trust deeds, deeds to secure debt, mortgages, leasehold mortgages and leasehold deeds of trust or other equivalent document (together with related fixture filings and assignments of leases and rents) now or hereafter encumbering any Mortgaged Property of any Loan Party in favor of the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, as security for any of the Obligations, each of which shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

Multiemployer Plan ” means any employee benefit plan of the type described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate makes or is obligated to make contributions, or during the preceding five plan years, has made or been obligated to make contributions.

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

Net Cash Proceeds ” means:

(a) with respect to any Disposition by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Extraordinary Receipt received or paid to the account of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, the excess, if any, of (i) the sum of cash and Cash Equivalents received in connection with such transaction (including any cash or Cash Equivalents received by way of deferred payment pursuant to, or by monetization of, a note receivable or otherwise, but only as and when so received) over (ii) the sum of (A) the principal amount of any Indebtedness that is secured by the applicable asset and that is required to be repaid in connection with such transaction (other than Indebtedness under the Loan Documents), (B) the reasonable and customary out-of-pocket fees and expenses incurred by the Borrower or such Subsidiary in connection with such transaction (including reasonable and customary fees of attorneys, accountants, consultants and investment advisers, reasonable and customary out-of-pocket costs associated with title insurance policies, surveys, lien and judgment searching, recording documents, and transaction and recording taxes), (C) income taxes reasonably estimated to be actually payable within two years of the date of the relevant transaction as a result of any gain recognized in connection therewith; provided that, if the amount of any estimated taxes pursuant to this subclause (C) exceeds the amount of taxes actually required to be paid in cash in respect of such Disposition, the aggregate amount of

 

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such excess shall constitute Net Cash Proceeds and (D) amounts held in any reserve created for escrow, holdback, indemnity or similar obligations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with such Disposition (provided that (1) such amounts held in such reserves shall not exceed 10% of the gross cash proceeds received with respect to such Disposition and (2) such amounts held in such reserves shall constitute Net Cash Proceeds upon release to, or receipt by, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries); provided further that such cash or Cash Equivalents received in connection with any Disposition or Extraordinary Receipt shall only constitute Net Cash Proceeds under this clause (a) in any fiscal year to the extent that the aggregate amount of such cash and Cash Equivalents received in such fiscal year exceeds $5,000,000 (and solely to the extent of such excess); and

(b) with respect to the incurrence or issuance of any Indebtedness by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, the excess of (i) the sum of the cash and Cash Equivalents received in connection with such transaction over (ii) the underwriting discounts and commissions, and other reasonable and customary out-of-pocket expenses, incurred by the Borrower or such Subsidiary in connection therewith.

New Notes ” means the 10.25% Senior Notes due 2020 issued by the Borrower and any notes issued in connection with any Refinancing Indebtedness thereof to the extent permitted by Section 7.02 .

New Notes Documents ” means, collectively, (a) the New Notes, (b) the New Notes Indenture and (c) all other material documents entered into by any Loan Party in connection therewith.

New Notes Indenture ” means the Indenture dated as of Closing Date, by and between the Borrower and the Notes Trustee, and any other Indenture governing the New Notes.

New Notes Trustee ” means U.S. Bank National Association, in its capacity as trustee under the New Notes Indenture, and any other trustee under any New Notes Indenture.

Non-Consenting Lender ” means any Lender that does not approve any consent, waiver or amendment that (i) requires the approval of all Lenders or all affected Lenders in accordance with the terms of Section 10.01 and (ii) has been approved by the Required Lenders.

Non-Defaulting Lender ” means, at any time, each Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender at such time.

Note ” means a Term Note or a Revolving Credit Note, as the context may require.

Obligations ” means all advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, any Loan Party arising under any Loan Document or otherwise with respect to any Loan, Letter of Credit, Secured Cash Management Agreement or Secured Hedge Agreement, 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 Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding; provided that the Obligations shall exclude any Excluded Swap Obligations.

 

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OFAC ” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.

Organization Documents ” means, (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement; and (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such entity.

Other Connection Taxes ” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).

Other Taxes ” means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 3.06 ).

Outstanding Amount ” means (a) with respect to Term Loans, Revolving Credit Loans and Swing Line Loans on any date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to any borrowings and prepayments or repayments of Term Loans, Revolving Credit Loans and Swing Line Loans, as the case may be, occurring on such date; and (b) with respect to any L/C Obligations on any date, the amount of such L/C Obligations on such date after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension occurring on such date and any other changes in the aggregate amount of the L/C Obligations as of such date, including as a result of any reimbursements by the Borrower of Unreimbursed Amounts.

Participant ” has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(d) .

Participant Register ” has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(d) .

PATRIOT Act ” means the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)).

PBGC ” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

 

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Pension Act ” means the Pension Protection Act of 2006.

Pension Funding Rules ” means the rules of the Code and ERISA regarding minimum required contributions (including any installment payment thereof) to Pension Plans and set forth in, with respect to plan years ending prior to the effective date of the Pension Act, Section 412 of the Code and Section 302 of ERISA, each as in effect prior to the Pension Act and, thereafter, Section 412, 430, 431, 432 and 436 of the Code and Sections 302, 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA.

Pension Plan ” means any employee pension benefit plan (including a Multiple Employer Plan or a Multiemployer Plan) that is maintained or is contributed to by the Borrower and any ERISA Affiliate and is either covered by Title IV of ERISA or is subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code.

Permitted Foreign Subsidiary and other Loans and Investments ” means, collectively:

(a) any investment existing as of the Closing Date by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in, and any loan existing as of the Closing Date by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to, a Foreign Subsidiary, as set forth on Schedule 7.03 hereto;

(b) any investment by a Foreign Subsidiary in, or loan from a Foreign Subsidiary to, or Guarantee by a Foreign Subsidiary of Indebtedness of, a Loan Party; provided that any such loan or Guarantee or, if applicable, such Investment, is subordinated to the Obligations on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (unless such subordination requirement is waived by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion); and

(c) (i) any investment by any Loan Party in, or loan by any Loan Party to, or Guarantee by any Loan Party of the Indebtedness of, a Foreign Subsidiary or (ii) any investment by any Loan Party in the Equity Interest of, or loan, contribution or advance by any Loan Party to, a Person other than a Loan Party; provided that, at the time of any Investment under this clause (c) and after giving effect thereto, the aggregate amount of all such investments, loans, Guarantees, contributions and advances made pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above shall not exceed $30,000,000 during any fiscal year and $60,000,000 during the term of this Agreement.

Person ” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

Plan ” means any employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA (including a Pension Plan), maintained for employees of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate or any such Plan to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is required to contribute on behalf of any of its employees.

Platform ” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02 .

Pledged Intercompany Note ” means any promissory note made by any Subsidiary to the Borrower or a Loan Party, whether now owned or hereafter acquired by the Borrower or such Loan Party.

 

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Precious Metal Consignment Agreements ” means, collectively, (a) the Consignment Agreement dated as of July 30, 2009, between Mitsubishi International Corporation and Precision Engineered Products LLC and (b) the Consignment Agreement dated as of January 25, 2010, between Umicore Precious Metals NJ, LLC and Precision Engineered Products LLC, and in each case each other agreement entered into in connection with such consignment agreements, each as may be amended, modified, restated or replaced, in each case, in a manner not adverse to the Lenders, from time to time.

Pro Forma Leverage Test ” means, as of any date of determination, with respect to any Specified Transaction, a pro forma Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio that is equal to or less than (i) for the period from the Closing Date through December 31, 2016, 5.00 to 1.00, (ii) for the period from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017, 4.50 to 1.00 and (iii) any time after January 1, 2018, 4.00 to 1.00, in each case, determined based on the financial information received for the fiscal quarter (or fiscal year, as applicable) most recently ended prior to such date for which financial statements have been delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 4.01(a)(x) , 6.01(a) or 6.01(b) , as applicable, after giving effect to such Specified Transaction and any other Specified Transaction consummated after the date of such financial statements and on or prior to the date of such Specified Transaction.

Public Lender ” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02 .

Qualified Receivables Transaction ” means any transaction or series of transactions entered into by Borrower or any Subsidiary pursuant to which Borrower or such Subsidiary sells, contributes, conveys or otherwise transfers to, or grants a security interest in for the benefit of, any other Person (other than Borrower or a Subsidiary), any Receivables (whether now existing or arising in the future) of Borrower or such Subsidiary, and any related assets, including, without limitation, all collateral securing such Receivables, all contracts and all guarantees or other obligations in respect of such Receivables, proceeds of such Receivables and other assets (including contract rights) which are customarily transferred or in respect of which security interests are customarily granted in connection with asset securitization transactions involving Receivables; provided that all such Qualified Receivables Transactions shall be made at fair market value (including after giving effect to any Receivables Fees); provided further that (a) all such Qualified Receivables Transactions shall not (x) be Guaranteed by Borrower or any Subsidiary (excluding Guarantees of obligations (other than the principal of, and interest on, Indebtedness) pursuant to representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities and performance Guarantees that are reasonably customary in an accounts receivables financings), (y) be recourse to or obligate Borrower or any Subsidiary in any way other than pursuant to representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities and performance Guarantees that are reasonably customary in accounts receivables financings, or (z) subject any property or asset of Borrower or any Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to the satisfaction thereof, other than pursuant to representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities and performance Guarantees reasonably customary in accounts receivables financings and other than any interest in the Receivables (whether in the form of an equity interest in such Receivables payable primarily from such Receivables) retained or acquired by Borrower or any Subsidiaries and (b) the fair market value of all Receivables sold, contributed conveyed or otherwise transferred, and all Receivables in which a security interest is granted by the Borrower or any Subsidiary, shall not exceed $20,000,000 in the aggregate for all Qualified Receivables Transactions during the term of this Agreement.

 

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Real Estate Requirements ” means, with respect to any Material Real Property, the documentation and other items of the type specified in Section 1 of Schedule 6.17 .

Receivable ” means any Indebtedness and other payment obligations owed to Borrower or any Subsidiary, whether constituting an account, chattel paper, payment intangible, instrument or general intangible, in each case arising in connection with (a) the sale of goods or the rendering of service or (b) the lease, license, rental or use of equipment, facilities or software, including the obligation to pay any finance charges, fees and other charges with respect thereto.

Receivables Fees ” means distributions or payments made directly or by means of discounts with respect to any participation interest issued or sold in connection with, and other fees and expenses (including reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel) paid to a Person (other than Borrower or a Subsidiary) in connection with, any Qualified Receivables Transaction.

Recipient ” means 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.

Refinance ” means, in respect of any security or Indebtedness, to refinance, extend, renew, refund, repay, prepay, redeem, defease or retire, or to issue a security or Indebtedness in exchange or replacement for, such security or Indebtedness in whole or in part. “Refinanced” and “Refinancing” shall have correlative meanings.

Refinancing Indebtedness ” means any Refinancing, modification, replacement, restatement, refunding, deferral, extension, substitution, supplement, reissuance or resale of existing or future Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness), including any additional Indebtedness incurred to pay interest or premiums required by the instruments governing such existing or future Indebtedness as in effect at the time of issuance thereof (“ Required Premiums ”) and fees in connection therewith; provided that any such Refinancing, modification, replacement, restatement, refunding, deferral, extension, substitution, supplement, reissuance or resale shall not: (i) directly or indirectly result in an increase in the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness, except to the extent such increase is a result of a simultaneous incurrence of additional Indebtedness to pay Required Premiums and related fees and expenses; or (ii) result in Indebtedness with a weighted average life to maturity at the time of such Refinancing, modification, replacement, restatement, refunding, deferral, extension, substitution, supplement, reissuance or resale that is less than the weighted average life to maturity at such time of the Indebtedness being Refinanced, modified, replaced, renewed, restated, refunded, deferred, extended, substituted, supplemented, reissued or resold; or (iii) if the Indebtedness being Refinanced, modified, replaced, restated, refunded, deferred, extended, substituted, supplemented, reissued or resold is subordinated in right of payment or Lien priority to the Obligations or the Guarantees thereof, such Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment or Lien priority to the Obligations or the Guarantees thereof or Liens thereof, as applicable, on terms at least as favorable to the Lenders as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being Refinanced, modified, replaced, restated, refunded, deferred, extended, substituted, supplemented, reissued or resold.

 

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Register ” has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(c) .

Related Documents ” means, collectively, (a) the Closing Date Acquisition Agreement and (b) all other material documents entered into by any Loan Party in connection with the Closing Date Acquisition.

Related Parties ” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees and advisors of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.

Release ” means any release, spill, emission, discharge, deposit, disposal, leaking, pumping, pouring, dumping, emptying, injection or leaching into the Environment, or into, from or through any building, structure or facility.

Reportable Event ” means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than events for which the 30 day notice period has been waived.

Repricing Event ” means (a) any prepayment or repayment of the initial Loans (or any portion thereof) with the proceeds of, or any conversion of initial Loans into, any new or replacement Indebtedness bearing interest with an “effective yield” (taking into account, for example, upfront fees, interest rate spreads, interest rate benchmark floors and original issue discount, but excluding the effect of any arrangement, structuring, syndication or other fees payable in connection therewith that are not shared with all lenders or holders of the initial Loans or such new or replacement Indebtedness, as the case may be) less than the “effective yield” applicable to all or a portion of the initial Loans subject to such prepayment or repayment (as such comparative yields are determined by the Administrative Agent) or (b) any amendment to this Agreement which reduces the “effective yield” (determined in accordance with clause (a) above) applicable to all or a portion of the initial Loans.

Request for Credit Extension ” means (a) with respect to a Borrowing, conversion or continuation of Term Loans or Revolving Credit Loans, a Committed Loan Notice, (b) with respect to an L/C Credit Extension, a Letter of Credit Application, and (c) with respect to a Swing Line Loan, a Swing Line Loan Notice.

Required Lenders ” means, at any time, Lenders holding more than 50% of the sum of the (a) Total Outstandings (with the aggregate amount of each Revolving Credit Lender’s risk participation and funded participation in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans being deemed “held” by such Revolving Credit Lender for purposes of this definition) and (b) aggregate unused Commitments; provided that the unused Revolving Credit Commitment of, and the portion of the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings and the Term Facility held or deemed held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Lenders; provided , further , that, if at such time there are three or fewer unaffiliated Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders), Required Lenders shall also require not fewer than two unaffiliated Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders).

 

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Required Revolving Lenders ” means, as of any date of determination, Revolving Credit Lenders holding more than 50% of the sum of the (a) Total Revolving Credit Outstandings (with the aggregate amount of each Revolving Credit Lender’s risk participation and funded participation in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans being deemed “held” by such Revolving Credit Lender for purposes of this definition) and (b) aggregate unused Revolving Credit Commitments; provided that the unused Revolving Credit Commitment of, and the portion of the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings held or deemed held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Revolving Lenders; provided , further , that, if at such time there are three or fewer unaffiliated Revolving Credit Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders), Required Revolving Lenders shall also require not fewer than two unaffiliated Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders).

Required Term Lenders ” means, as of any date of determination, Term Lenders holding more than 50% of the sum of the (a) Term Loans outstanding on such date and (b) the aggregate unused Term Commitments on such date; provided that the portion of the Term Facility held by any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Term Lenders; provided , further , that, if at such time there are three or fewer unaffiliated Term Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders), Required Term Lenders shall also require not fewer than two unaffiliated Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders).

Responsible Officer ” means the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, treasurer, assistant treasurer or controller of a Loan Party, solely for purposes of the delivery of incumbency certificates pursuant to Section 4.01 , the secretary or any assistant secretary of a Loan Party and, solely for the purposes of notices given to Article II , any other officer or employee of the applicable Loan Party so designated by any of the foregoing officers in a notice to the Administrative Agent or any other officer or employee of the applicable Loan Party designated in or pursuant to an agreement between the applicable Loan Party and the Administrative Agent. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Loan Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Loan Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Loan Party.

Restricted Payment ” means, with respect to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (a) any Capital Distribution and (b) any amount paid by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in repayment, redemption, retirement or repurchase, directly or indirectly, of any Subordinated Indebtedness or the Indebtedness evidenced by the New Notes.

Revolving Credit Borrowing ” means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Revolving Credit Loans of the same Type and, in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period made by each of the Revolving Credit Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01(b) .

Revolving Credit Commitments ” means, as to each Revolving Credit Lender, its obligation to (a) make Revolving Credit Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01(b) , (b) purchase participations in L/C Obligations, and (c) purchase participations in Swing Line Loans, in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01 under the caption “Revolving Credit Commitment” or opposite such caption in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

 

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Revolving Credit Exposure ” means, as to any Lender at any time, the aggregate principal amount at such time of its outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and such Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans at such time.

Revolving Credit Facility ” means, at any time, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit Lenders’ Revolving Credit Commitments at such time. As of the Closing Date, the Revolving Credit Facility is $100,000,000.

Revolving Credit Increase ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.14(a) .

Revolving Credit Increase Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.14(d)(ii) .

Revolving Credit Lender ” means, at any time, any Lender that has a Revolving Credit Commitment at such time.

Revolving Credit Loan ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01(b) .

Revolving Credit Note ” means a promissory note made by the Borrower in favor of a Revolving Credit Lender evidencing Revolving Credit Loans or Swing Line Loans, as the case may be, made by such Revolving Credit Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit C-2 .

Sanction(s) ” means any sanction administered or enforced by the United States Government (including without limitation, OFAC), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury or other relevant sanctions authority.

S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and any successor thereto.

SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

Secured Cash Management Agreement ” means any Cash Management Agreement that is entered into by and between any Loan Party and any Cash Management Bank.

Secured Hedge Agreement ” means any Swap Contract permitted under Article VI or VII that is entered into by and between any Loan Party and any Hedge Bank.

Secured Parties ” means, collectively, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the L/C Issuers, the Hedge Banks, the Cash Management Banks, each co-agent or sub-agent appointed by the Administrative Agent from time to time pursuant to Section 9.05 , and the other Persons the Obligations owing to which are or are purported to be secured by the Collateral under the terms of the Collateral Documents.

 

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Securities Account Control Agreement ” has the meaning assigned thereto in the Security Agreement.

Security Agreement ” has the meaning specified in Section 4.01(a)(iii) .

Security Joinder Agreement ” has the meaning specified in the Security Agreement.

Sold Account ” means an Account which Borrower or a Subsidiary has sold to, or otherwise has granted a Lien on or in favor of, the purchaser pursuant to a Qualified Receivables Transaction, for which such Credit Party has received the purchase price for such Account.

Solvent ” and “ Solvency ” mean, with respect to any Person on any date of determination, that on such date (a) the fair value of the property of such Person is greater than the total amount of liabilities, including contingent liabilities, of such Person, (b) the present fair salable value of the assets of such Person is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts as they become absolute and matured, (c) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such Person’s ability to pay such debts and liabilities as they mature, (d) such Person is not engaged in business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in business or a transaction, for which such Person’s property would constitute an unreasonably small capital, and (e) such Person is able to pay its debts and liabilities, contingent obligations and other commitments as they mature in the ordinary course of business. The amount of contingent liabilities at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in the light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

Specified Loan Party ” means any Loan Party that is not an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act (determined prior to giving effect to Section 29 of the Security Agreement and any other “keepwell, support or other agreement” for the benefit of such Loan Party).

Specified Purchase Agreement Representations ” means the representations and warranties made by, or with respect to, the Company and its Subsidiaries in the Closing Date Acquisition Agreement as are material to the interests of the Lenders (in their capacities as such), but only to the extent that the Borrower (or any of its Affiliates) have the right to terminate the Borrower’s obligations under the Closing Date Acquisition Agreement (or decline or otherwise refuse to consummate the Closing Date Acquisition pursuant to the Closing Date Acquisition Agreement) as a result of a breach of any such representation and warranty in the Closing Date Acquisition Agreement or any such representation and warranty not being accurate (in each case, determined without regard to any notice requirement).

Specified Representations ” means the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 5.01 , 5.02 (other than clauses (b) and (c) thereof), 5.06 (subject to the last sentence of Section 4.01(a) with respect to the perfection of liens), 5.13 (determined for this purpose for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of the Closing Date and after giving effect to the Transactions), 5.15 , 5.21 , 5.22 and 5.26 .

Specified Transaction ” means any Acquisition, Investment or Restricted Payment (in each case, whether or not consummated and including any such transaction consummated prior

 

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to the Closing Date) and/or (ii) equity issuances, issuances of Indebtedness (including the incurrence of Incremental Loans) or other Refinancings, repayments, financings and amendments or other modifications or waivers of debt instruments or documents, mergers, Investments (other than Investments in cash or Cash Equivalents), Restricted Payments or dispositions outside of the ordinary course of business permitted by the Loan Documents

Subordinated ” means, as applied to Indebtedness, Indebtedness that shall have been subordinated in favor of the prior payment in full of the Obligations pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

Subsidiary ” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of securities or other interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “ Subsidiary ” or to “ Subsidiaries ” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower.

Swap Contract ” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “ Master Agreement ”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.

Swap Obligations ” means with respect to any Guarantor any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of Section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

Swap Termination Value ” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).

 

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Swing Line Borrowing ” means a borrowing of a Swing Line Loan pursuant to Section 2.04 .

Swing Line Lender ” means Regions, in its capacity as provider of Swing Line Loans, or any successor swing line lender hereunder.

Swing Line Loan ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.04(a) .

Swing Line Loan Notice ” means a notice of a Swing Line Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.04(b) , which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit B or such other form as may be approved by the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.

Swing Line Sublimit ” means an amount equal to the lesser of (a) $10,000,000 and (b) the Revolving Credit Facility. The Swing Line Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Revolving Credit Facility.

Synthetic Debt ” means, with respect to any Person as of any date of determination thereof, all obligations of such Person in respect of transactions entered into by such Person that are intended to function primarily as a borrowing of funds (including any minority interest transactions that function primarily as a borrowing) but are not otherwise included in the definition of “ Indebtedness ” or as a liability on the consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP.

Synthetic Lease Obligation ” means the monetary obligation of a Person under (a) a so-called synthetic, off-balance sheet or tax retention lease, or (b) an agreement for the use or possession of property (including sale and leaseback transactions), in each case, creating obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet of such Person but which, upon the application of any Debtor Relief Laws to such Person, would be characterized as the indebtedness of such Person (without regard to accounting treatment).

Taxes ” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

Term Borrowings ” means, collectively, Initial Term Borrowings and Incremental Borrowings.

Term Commitment ” means, as to each Term Lender, its obligation to (a) make Initial Term Loans to the Borrower on the Closing Date with respect to the Term Facility pursuant to Section 2.01(a) and (b) make Incremental Term Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.14(a) , in an aggregate principal amount, as of the Closing Date, not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01 under the caption “Term Commitment” or opposite such caption in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

 

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Term Facility ” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate amount of the unused Term Commitments at such time plus (b) the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loans of all Term Lenders outstanding at such time. As of the Closing Date, the Term Facility is $525,000,000.

Term Lender ” means, at any time, any Lender that either has an unused Term Commitment or holds Term Loans at such time, or both.

Term Loan ” means, collectively, the Initial Term Loans and the Incremental Term Loans, as applicable.

Term Note ” means a promissory note made by the Borrower in favor of a Term Lender evidencing Term Loans made by such Term Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit C-1 .

Total Credit Exposure ” means, as to any Lender at any time, the Total Revolving Exposure and Total Term Loan Exposure of such Lender at such time.

Total Revolving Exposure ” means, as to any Revolving Credit Lender at any time, the unused Revolving Credit Commitments and Revolving Credit Exposure of such Lender at such time.

Total Revolving Credit Outstandings ” means the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Revolving Credit Loans, Swing Line Loans and L/C Obligations.

Total Outstandings ” means the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Loans and all L/C Obligations.

Total Term Loan Exposure ” means, as to any Term Lender at any time, the unused Term Commitments and the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Term Loans of such Term Lender at such time.

Transactions ” means, collectively, (a) the consummation of the Closing Date Acquisition, (b) the entering into by the Loan Parties and their applicable Subsidiaries of the Loan Documents, the New Notes Documents and the Related Documents to which they are or are intended to be a party, (c) the refinancing of the Existing Indebtedness and the termination of all commitments with respect thereto and (d) the payment of the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the consummation of the foregoing.

Transaction Costs ” means all customary and reasonable transaction fees, charges and other similar amounts related to the Transactions or any Acquisitions completed during the term of this Agreement in accordance with Section 7.03(b) (including, without limitation, any financing fees, merger and acquisition fees, legal fees and expenses, due diligence fees or any other fees and expenses in connection therewith), in each case to the extent paid within six (6) months of the Closing Date or the closing date of such Acquisition, as applicable.

Type ” means, with respect to a Loan, its character as a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Rate Loan.

 

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UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York provided that, if perfection or the effect of perfection or non-perfection or the priority of any security interest in any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of New York, “ UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in such other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection, effect of perfection or non-perfection or priority.

UCP ” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”) Publication No. 600 (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).

Undisclosed Administration ” means in relation to a Lender or a Person that directly or indirectly controls such Lender, the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official by a supervisory authority or regulator under or based on the law in the country where such Lender or Person, as the case may be, is subject to home jurisdiction supervision if applicable law requires that such appointment is not to be publicly disclosed.

United States ” and “ U.S. ” mean the United States of America.

Unreimbursed Amount ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(c)(i) .

Unrestricted Cash and Cash Equivalents ” means, with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, cash or Cash Equivalents of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries that do not appear, or would not be required to appear, as “restricted” on the financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (unless related to the Loan Documents or the Liens created thereunder).

U.S. Person ” means any Person that is a “United States Person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.01(e)(ii)(B)(3) .

Voting Power ” means, with respect to any Person, the exclusive ability to control, through the ownership of shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests or otherwise, the election of members of the board of directors or other similar governing body of such Person. The holding of a designated percentage of Voting Power of a Person means the ownership of shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests or other interests of such Person sufficient to control exclusively the election of that percentage of the members of the board of directors or similar governing body of such Person.

Weighted Average Yield ” means, with respect to any Loan, on any date of determination, the weighted average yield to maturity, in each case, based on the interest rate applicable to such Loan on such date and giving effect to interest rate floors, upfront fees, original issue discount or similar yield related discounts or deductions payable with respect to such Loans (but, excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any customary arranging, underwriting or similar fees not paid to all Lenders) based on (i) an assumed four-year average life for the applicable Loans or (ii) if the stated maturity of the applicable Loans is less than four years, the actual life of such Loans.

 

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Wholly-Owned ” means, with respect to a Subsidiary, that all of the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary are, directly or indirectly, owned or controlled by the Borrower and/or one or more of its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries (except for directors’ qualifying shares or other shares required by applicable Laws to be owned by a Person other than the Borrower and/or one or more of its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries).

1.02 Other Interpretive Provisions . With reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Loan Document:

(a) The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.” Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document (including any Organization Document) shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein or in any other Loan Document), (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (iii) the words “hereto,” “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder,” and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document, shall be construed to refer to such Loan Document in its entirety and not to any particular provision thereof, (iv) all references in a Loan Document to Articles, Sections, Preliminary Statements, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Preliminary Statements, Exhibits and Schedules to, the Loan Document in which such references appear, (v) any reference to any law, rule or regulation shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing or interpreting such law, rule or regulation and any reference to any law, rule or regulation shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law, rule or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, and (vi) the words “ asset ” and “ property ” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

(b) In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “ from ” means “ from and including ;” the words “ to ” and “ until ” each mean “ to but excluding ;” and the word “ through ” means “ to and including .”

(c) Section headings herein and in the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

1.03 Accounting Terms .

(a) Generally . All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent basis, as in effect from time to time, applied in a

 

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manner consistent with that used in preparing the Audited Financial Statements, except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of determining compliance with any covenant (including the computation of any financial covenant) contained herein, Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be carried at 100% of the outstanding principal amount thereof, and the effects of FASB ASC 825 and FASB ASC 470-20 on financial liabilities shall be disregarded.

(b) Changes in GAAP . If at any time any change in GAAP (including the adoption of IFRS) would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and either the Borrower or the Required Lenders shall so request, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Required Lenders); provided that , until so amended, (A) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (B) the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP.

(c) Pro Forma Effect . Notwithstanding the above, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that, for purposes of all financial calculations (other than with respect to Excess Cash Flow), if the Borrower or any Subsidiary has made any Acquisition permitted by Section 7.03(b) or any Disposition outside the ordinary course of business permitted by Section 7.05(b) during the relevant period for determining compliance with such covenants, such calculations shall be made after giving pro forma effect thereto, as if such Acquisition or Disposition had occurred on the first day of such period, but in the case of an Acquisition, only so long as the results of the business being acquired are supported by financial statements or other financial data reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

1.04 Rounding . Any financial ratios required to be maintained by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).

1.05 Times of Day; Rates . Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable)

The Administrative Agent does not warrant, nor accept responsibility, nor shall the Administrative Agent have any liability with respect to the administration, submission or any other matter related to the rates in the definition of “Eurodollar Rate” or with respect to any comparable or successor rate thereto.

1.06 Currency Equivalents Generally . Any amount specified in this Agreement (other than in Article II , Article IX and Article X ) or any of the other Loan Documents to be in Dollars shall also include the equivalent of such amount in any currency other than Dollars, such equivalent amount thereof in the applicable currency to be determined by the Administrative

 

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Agent at such time on the basis of the Spot Rate (as defined below) for the purchase of such currency with Dollars. For purposes of this Section 1.06 , the “ Spot Rate ” for a currency means the rate determined by the Administrative Agent to be the rate quoted by the Person acting in such capacity as the spot rate for the purchase by such Person of such currency with another currency through its principal foreign exchange trading office at approximately 11:00 a.m. on the date two Business Days prior to the date of such determination; provided that the Administrative Agent may obtain such spot rate from another financial institution designated by the Administrative Agent if the Person acting in such capacity does not have as of the date of determination a spot buying rate for any such currency.

1.07 Letter of Credit Amounts . Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the stated amount of such Letter of Credit in effect at such time; provided that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any Issuer Document related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the maximum stated amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum stated amount is in effect at such time.

ARTICLE II

THE COMMITMENTS AND BORROWINGS

2.01 The Loans . (a)  Term Borrowings . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Term Lender severally agrees to make a single loan to the Borrower on the Closing Date in an amount not to exceed such Term Lender’s Term Commitment then in effect. The Initial Term Borrowings shall consist of Initial Term Loans made simultaneously by the Term Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentage of the Term Commitments. Amounts borrowed under this Section 2.01(a) and repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed. The Initial Term Loans made pursuant to the Initial Term Borrowings under this Section 2.01(a) shall constitute a single Term Facility. Term Loans may be Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Rate Loans, as further provided herein.

(b) Revolving Credit Borrowings . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Revolving Credit Lender severally agrees to make loans (each such loan, a “ Revolving Credit Loan ”) to the Borrower from time to time, on any Business Day during the Availability Period for the Revolving Credit Facility, in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment; provided that after giving effect to any Revolving Credit Borrowing, (i) the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings shall not exceed the Revolving Credit Facility, and (ii) the Revolving Credit Exposure of any Revolving Credit Lender shall not exceed such Revolving Credit Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment. Within the limits of each Revolving Credit Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Credit Loans. Revolving Credit Loans may be Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Rate Loans, as further provided herein.

 

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2.02 Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans .

(a) Each Term Borrowing, each Revolving Credit Borrowing, each conversion of Term Loans or Revolving Credit Loans from one Type to the other, and each continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be made upon the Borrower’s irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent, which may be given by (A) telephone, or (B) a Committed Loan Notice; provided that any telephone notice must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Administrative Agent of a Committed Loan Notice. Each such telephone notice and Committed Loan Notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (i) three Business Days prior to the requested date of any Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans or of any conversion of Eurodollar Rate Loans to Base Rate Loans, and (ii) on the requested date of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans. Each Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be in a minimum principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof. Except as provided in Section 2.03(c) and Section 2.04(c) , each Borrowing of or conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be in a minimum principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof. Each such telephone notice and Committed Loan Notice shall specify (i) whether the Borrower is requesting a Term Borrowing, a Revolving Credit Borrowing, a conversion of Term Loans or Revolving Credit Loans from one Type to the other, or a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans, (ii) the requested date of the Borrowing, conversion or continuation, as the case may be (which shall be a Business Day), (iii) the principal amount of Loans to be borrowed, converted or continued, (iv) the Type of Term Loans or Revolving Credit Loans to be borrowed or to which existing Loans are to be converted, and (v) if applicable, the duration of the Interest Period with respect thereto. If the Borrower fails to specify a Type of Loan in a Committed Loan Notice or if the Borrower fails to give a timely notice requesting a conversion or continuation, then the applicable Term Loans or Revolving Credit Loans shall be made as, or converted to, Base Rate Loans. Any such automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be effective as of the last day of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to the applicable Eurodollar Rate Loans. If the Borrower requests a Borrowing of, conversion to, or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans in any such Committed Loan Notice, but fails to specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one month. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Swing Line Loan may not be converted to a Eurodollar Rate Loan.

(b) Following receipt of a Committed Loan Notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the amount of its Applicable Percentage under the applicable Facility of the applicable Term Loans or Revolving Credit Loans, and if no timely notice of a conversion or continuation is provided by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the details of any automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans described in Section 2.02(a) . In the case of a Term Borrowing or a Revolving Credit Borrowing, each Appropriate Lender shall make the amount of its Loan available to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office not later than 1:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in the applicable Committed Loan Notice. Upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (and, if such Borrowing is the initial Credit Extension, Section 4.01 ), the Administrative Agent shall make all funds so received available to the Borrower in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent either by (i) crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of KeyBank, if any, with the amount of such funds or (ii) wire transfer of such funds, in each case in accordance with instructions provided to (and reasonably acceptable to) the Administrative Agent by the Borrower; provided , however , that if,

 

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on the date a Committed Loan Notice with respect to a Revolving Credit Borrowing is given by the Borrower, there are L/C Borrowings outstanding, then the proceeds of such Revolving Credit Borrowing, first , shall be applied to the payment in full of any such L/C Borrowings, and second , shall be made available to the Borrower as provided above.

(c) Except as otherwise provided herein, a Eurodollar Rate Loan may be continued or converted only on the last day of an Interest Period for such Eurodollar Rate Loan. During the existence of a Default, no Loans may be requested as, converted to or continued as Eurodollar Rate Loans without the consent of the Required Lenders.

(d) The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the interest rate applicable to any Interest Period for Eurodollar Rate Loans upon determination of such interest rate. At any time that Base Rate Loans are outstanding, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of any change in KeyBank’s prime rate used in determining the Base Rate promptly following the public announcement of such change.

(e) After giving effect to all Borrowings, all conversions of Loans from one Type to the other, and all continuations of Loans as the same Type, there shall not be more than ten (10) Interest Periods in effect in respect of the Facilities.

(f) Anything in this Section 2.02 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Borrower may not select the Eurodollar Rate for the initial Borrowing unless the Borrower delivers a Funding Indemnity Letter to the Administrative Agent no later than 11:00 a.m. three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date.

2.03 Letters of Credit .

(a) The Letter of Credit Commitment . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (A) each L/C Issuer agrees, in reliance upon the agreements of the Revolving Credit Lenders set forth in this Section 2.03 , (1) from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the Closing Date until the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, to issue Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, and to amend or extend Letters of Credit previously issued by it, in accordance with Section 2.03(b) , and (2) to honor drawings under the Letters of Credit; and (B) the Revolving Credit Lenders severally agree to participate in Letters of Credit issued for the account of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries and any drawings thereunder; provided that after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension with respect to any Letter of Credit, (w) the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings shall not exceed the aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments of the Revolving Credit Lenders, (x) the Revolving Credit Exposure of any Revolving Credit Lender shall not exceed such Revolving Credit Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment, (y) the face amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit issued by an L/C Issuer shall not exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit of such L/C Issuer, and (z) the Outstanding Amount of the L/C Obligations shall not exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit. Each request by the Borrower for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be a representation by the Borrower that the L/C Credit Extension so requested complies with the conditions set forth in the proviso to the preceding sentence. Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower’s ability to obtain Letters of Credit shall be fully revolving, and accordingly the Borrower may, during the foregoing period, obtain Letters of Credit to replace Letters of Credit that have expired or that have been drawn upon and reimbursed.

 

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(i) No L/C Issuer shall issue any Letter of Credit if:

(A) subject to Section 2.03(b)(iii) , the expiry date of the requested Letter of Credit would occur more than twelve months after the date of issuance or last extension, unless the applicable L/C Issuer and the Required Revolving Lenders have approved such expiry date; or

(B) the expiry date of the requested Letter of Credit would occur after the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, unless all the Revolving Credit Lenders and the applicable L/C Issuer have approved such expiry date.

(ii) No L/C Issuer shall be under any obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if:

(A) any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain such L/C Issuer from issuing the Letter of Credit, or any Law applicable to such L/C Issuer or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over such L/C Issuer shall prohibit, or request that such L/C Issuer refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or the Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon such L/C Issuer with respect to the Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which such L/C Issuer is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Closing Date, or shall impose upon such L/C Issuer any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Closing Date and which such L/C Issuer in good faith deems material to it;

(B) the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of such L/C Issuer applicable to letters of credit generally;

(C) except as otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the applicable L/C Issuer, such Letter of Credit is in an initial stated amount less than $500,000;

(D) such Letter of Credit is to be denominated in a currency other than Dollars;

(E) any Revolving Credit Lender is at that time a Defaulting Lender, unless such L/C Issuer has entered into arrangements, including the delivery of Cash Collateral, satisfactory to such L/C Issuer (in its sole discretion) with the Borrower or such Lender to eliminate such L/C Issuer’s actual or potential Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to Section 2.15(a)(iv) ) with respect to the Defaulting Lender arising from either the Letter of Credit then proposed to be issued or that Letter of Credit and all other L/C Obligations as to which such L/C Issuer has actual or potential Fronting Exposure, as it may elect in its sole discretion; or

(F) such Letter of Credit contains any provisions for automatic reinstatement of the stated amount after any drawing thereunder.

 

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(iii) No L/C Issuer shall amend any Letter of Credit if such L/C Issuer would not be permitted at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof.

(iv) No L/C Issuer shall be under any obligation to amend any Letter of Credit if (A) such L/C Issuer would have no obligation at such time to issue the Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof, or (B) the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit does not accept the proposed amendment to such Letter of Credit.

(v) Each L/C Issuer shall act on behalf of the Revolving Credit Lenders with respect to any Letters of Credit issued by it and the documents associated therewith, and each L/C Issuer shall have all of the benefits and immunities (A) provided to the Administrative Agent in Article IX with respect to any acts taken or omissions suffered by such L/C Issuer in connection with Letters of Credit issued by it or proposed to be issued by it and Issuer Documents pertaining to such Letters of Credit as fully as if the term “Administrative Agent” as used in Article IX included the L/C Issuers with respect to such acts or omissions, and (B) as additionally provided herein with respect to each L/C Issuer.

(b) Procedures for Issuance and Amendment of Letters of Credit; Auto-Extension Letters of Credit .

(i) Each Letter of Credit shall be issued or amended, as the case may be, upon the request of the Borrower delivered to the applicable L/C Issuer (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) in the form of a Letter of Credit Application, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower. Such Letter of Credit Application may be sent by facsimile, by United States mail, by overnight courier, by electronic transmission using the system provided by the applicable L/C Issuer, by personal delivery or by any other means acceptable to the applicable L/C Issuer. Such Letter of Credit Application must be received by such L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. at least two Business Days (or such later date and time as the Administrative Agent and such L/C Issuer may agree in a particular instance in their sole discretion) prior to the proposed issuance date or date of amendment, as the case may be. In the case of a request for an initial issuance of a Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to such L/C Issuer: (A) the proposed issuance date of the requested Letter of Credit (which shall be a Business Day); (B) the amount thereof; (C) the expiry date thereof; (D) the name and address of the beneficiary thereof; (E) the documents to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (F) the full text of any certificate to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (G) the purpose and nature of the requested Letter of Credit; (H) the name of the Person for whose account such requested

 

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Letter of Credit is to be issued; and (I) such other matters as such L/C Issuer may require. In the case of a request for an amendment of any outstanding Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to such L/C Issuer (1) the Letter of Credit to be amended; (2) the proposed date of amendment thereof (which shall be a Business Day); (3) the nature of the proposed amendment; and (4) such other matters as such L/C Issuer may require. Additionally, the Borrower shall furnish to such L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent such other documents and information pertaining to such requested Letter of Credit issuance or amendment, including any Issuer Documents, as such L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent may require.

(ii) Promptly after receipt of any Letter of Credit Application, the applicable L/C Issuer will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has received a copy of such Letter of Credit Application from the Borrower and, if not, such L/C Issuer will provide the Administrative Agent with a copy thereof. Unless the applicable L/C Issuer has received written notice from any Revolving Credit Lender, the Administrative Agent or any Loan Party, at least one Business Day prior to the requested date of issuance or amendment of the applicable Letter of Credit, that one or more applicable conditions contained in Article IV shall not then be satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, such L/C Issuer shall, on the requested date, issue a Letter of Credit for the account of the Borrower (or the applicable Subsidiary) or enter into the applicable amendment, as the case may be, in each case in accordance with such L/C Issuer’s usual and customary business practices. Immediately upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit, each Revolving Credit Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from such L/C Issuer a risk participation in such Letter of Credit in an amount equal to the product of such Revolving Credit Lender’s Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage times the amount of such Letter of Credit.

(iii) If the Borrower so requests in any applicable Letter of Credit Application, the applicable L/C Issuer may, in its discretion, agree to issue a Letter of Credit that has automatic extension provisions (each, an “ Auto-Extension Letter of Credit ”); provided that any such Auto-Extension Letter of Credit must permit such L/C Issuer to prevent any such extension at least once in each twelve-month period (commencing with the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit) by giving prior notice to the beneficiary thereof not later than a day (the “ Non-Extension Notice Date ”) in each such twelve-month period to be agreed upon at the time such Letter of Credit is issued. Unless otherwise directed by the applicable L/C Issuer, the Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to such L/C Issuer for any such extension. Once an Auto-Extension Letter of Credit has been issued, the Revolving Credit Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) the applicable L/C Issuer to permit the extension of such Letter of Credit at any time to an expiry date not later than the Letter of Credit Expiration Date; provided , however , that such L/C Issuer shall not permit any such extension if (A) such L/C Issuer has determined that it would not be permitted, or would have no obligation at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its revised form (as extended) under the terms hereof (by reason of the provisions of clause (ii)  or (iii)  of Section 2.03(a) or otherwise), or (B) it has received notice (which may be by telephone or in writing) on or before the day that is seven Business Days before the Non-Extension Notice Date (1) from the Administrative

 

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Agent that the Required Revolving Lenders have elected not to permit such extension or (2) from the Administrative Agent, any Revolving Credit Lender or the Borrower that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 4.02 is not then satisfied, and in each such case directing such L/C Issuer not to permit such extension.

(iv) Promptly after its delivery of any Letter of Credit or any amendment to a Letter of Credit to an advising bank with respect thereto or to the beneficiary thereof, the applicable L/C Issuer will also deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent a true and complete copy of such Letter of Credit or amendment.

(c) Drawings and Reimbursements; Funding of Participations .

(i) Upon receipt from the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit of any notice of a drawing under such Letter of Credit, the applicable L/C Issuer shall notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent thereof. Not later than 11:00 a.m. on the date of any payment by the applicable L/C Issuer under a Letter of Credit (each such date, an “ Honor Date ”), the Borrower shall reimburse such L/C Issuer through the Administrative Agent in an amount equal to the amount of such drawing. If the Borrower fails to so reimburse such L/C Issuer by such time, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Revolving Credit Lender of the Honor Date, the amount of the unreimbursed drawing (the “ Unreimbursed Amount ”), and the amount of such Revolving Credit Lender’s Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage thereof. In such event, the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a Revolving Credit Borrowing of Base Rate Loans to be disbursed on the Honor Date in an amount equal to the Unreimbursed Amount, without regard to the minimum and multiples specified in Section 2.02 for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans, but subject to the amount of the unutilized portion of the Revolving Credit Commitments and the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than the delivery of a Committed Loan Notice). Any notice given by the applicable L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 2.03(c)(i) may be given by telephone if immediately confirmed in writing; provided that the lack of such an immediate confirmation shall not affect the conclusiveness or binding effect of such notice.

(ii) Each Revolving Credit Lender shall upon any notice pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(i) make funds available (and the Administrative Agent may apply Cash Collateral provided for this purpose) for the account of the applicable L/C Issuer at the Administrative Agent’s Office in an amount equal to its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the Unreimbursed Amount not later than 1:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in such notice by the Administrative Agent, whereupon, subject to the provisions of Section 2.03(c)(iii) , each Revolving Credit Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Base Rate Loan to the Borrower in such amount. The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the applicable L/C Issuer.

(iii) With respect to any Unreimbursed Amount that is not fully refinanced by a Revolving Credit Borrowing of Base Rate Loans because the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 cannot be satisfied or for any other reason, the Borrower shall be deemed to have incurred from the applicable L/C Issuer an L/C Borrowing in the amount of the

 

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Unreimbursed Amount that is not so refinanced, which L/C Borrowing shall be due and payable on demand (together with interest) and shall bear interest at the Default Rate. In such event, each Revolving Credit Lender’s payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(ii) shall be deemed payment in respect of its participation in such L/C Borrowing and shall constitute an L/C Advance from such Lender in satisfaction of its participation obligation under this Section 2.03 .

(iv) Until each Revolving Credit Lender funds its Revolving Credit Loan or L/C Advance pursuant to this Section 2.03(c) to reimburse the applicable L/C Issuer for any amount drawn under any Letter of Credit, interest in respect of such Lender’s Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of such amount shall be solely for the account of such L/C Issuer.

(v) Each Revolving Credit Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans or L/C Advances to reimburse the applicable L/C Issuer for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit, as contemplated by this Section 2.03(c) , shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against such L/C Issuer, 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 Credit Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans pursuant to this Section 2.03(c) is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than delivery by the Borrower of a Committed Loan Notice ). No such making of an L/C Advance shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the L/C Issuer for the amount of any payment made by the applicable L/C Issuer under any Letter of Credit, together with interest as provided herein.

(vi) If any Revolving Credit Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable L/C Issuer any amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.03(c) by the time specified in Section 2.03(c)(ii) , then, without limiting the other provisions of this Agreement, such L/C Issuer shall be entitled to recover from such Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to such L/C Issuer at a rate per annum equal to the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by such L/C Issuer in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by such L/C Issuer in connection with the foregoing. If such Lender pays such amount (with interest and fees as aforesaid), the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Revolving Credit Loan included in the relevant Revolving Credit Borrowing or L/C Advance in respect of the relevant L/C Borrowing, as the case may be. A certificate of the applicable L/C Issuer submitted to any Revolving Credit Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this Section 2.03(c)(vi) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

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(d) Repayment of Participations .

(i) At any time after the applicable L/C Issuer has made a payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any Revolving Credit Lender such Lender’s L/C Advance in respect of such payment in accordance with Section 2.03(c) , if the Administrative Agent receives for the account of such L/C Issuer any payment in respect of the related Unreimbursed Amount or interest thereon (whether directly from the Borrower or otherwise, including proceeds of Cash Collateral applied thereto by the Administrative Agent), the Administrative Agent will distribute to such Lender its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage thereof in the same funds as those received by the Administrative Agent.

(ii) If any payment received by the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(i) is required to be returned under any of the circumstances described in Section 10.05 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by such L/C Issuer in its discretion), each Revolving Credit Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such L/C Issuer its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage thereof on demand of the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned by such Lender, at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect. The obligations of the Lenders under this clause shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

(e) Obligations Absolute . The obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the applicable L/C Issuer for each drawing under each Letter of Credit and to repay each L/C Borrowing shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances, including the following:

(i) any lack of validity or enforceability of such Letter of Credit, this Agreement or any other Loan Document;

(ii) the existence of any claim, counterclaim, setoff, defense or other right that the Borrower or any Subsidiary may have at any time against any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), the applicable L/C Issuer or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or by such Letter of Credit or any agreement or instrument relating thereto, or any unrelated transaction;

(iii) any draft, demand, certificate or other document presented under such Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; or any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under such Letter of Credit;

(iv) waiver by the applicable L/C Issuer of any requirement that exists for such L/C Issuer’s protection and not the protection of the Borrower or any waiver by such L/C Issuer which does not in fact materially prejudice the Borrower;

 

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(v) honor of a demand for payment presented electronically, even if such Letter of Credit requires that demand be in the form of a draft;

(vi) any payment made by the applicable L/C Issuer in respect of an otherwise complying item presented after the date specified as the expiration date of, or the date by which documents must be received under such Letter of Credit if presentation after such date is authorized by the UCC, the ISP or the UCP, as applicable;

(vii) any payment by the applicable L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or certificate that does not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; or any payment made by such L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit to any Person purporting to be a trustee in bankruptcy, debtor-in-possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver or other representative of or successor to any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit, including any arising in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law; or

(viii) any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, including any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

The Borrower shall promptly examine a copy of each Letter of Credit and each amendment thereto that is delivered to it and, in the event of any claim of noncompliance with the Borrower’s instructions or other irregularity, the Borrower will immediately notify the applicable L/C Issuer. The Borrower shall be conclusively deemed to have waived any such claim against the applicable L/C Issuer and its correspondents unless such notice is given as aforesaid.

(f) Role of L/C Issuer . Each Lender and the Borrower agree that, in paying any drawing under a Letter of Credit, no L/C Issuer shall have any responsibility to obtain any document (other than any sight draft, certificates and documents expressly required by the Letter of Credit) or to ascertain or inquire as to the validity or accuracy of any such document or the authority of the Person executing or delivering any such document. None of the applicable L/C Issuer, the Administrative Agent, any of their respective Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of such L/C Issuer shall be liable to any Lender for (i) any action taken or omitted in connection herewith at the request or with the approval of the Revolving Credit Lenders or the Required Revolving Lenders, as applicable; (ii) any action taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct; or (iii) the due execution, effectiveness, validity or enforceability of any document or instrument related to any Letter of Credit or Issuer Document. The Borrower hereby assumes all risks of the acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee with respect to its use of any Letter of Credit; provided , however , that this assumption is not intended to, and shall not, preclude the Borrower’s pursuing such rights and remedies as it may have against the beneficiary or transferee at law or under any other agreement. None of the applicable L/C Issuer, the Administrative Agent, any of their respective Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of such L/C Issuer shall be liable or responsible for any of the matters described in clauses (i)  through (viii)  of Section 2.03(e) ; provided , however , that anything in such clauses to the contrary notwithstanding, the Borrower may have a claim against such L/C Issuer, and such L/C Issuer may be liable to the Borrower, to the extent, but only to the

 

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extent, of any direct, as opposed to consequential or exemplary, damages suffered by the Borrower which the Borrower proves were caused by such L/C Issuer’s willful misconduct or gross negligence or such L/C Issuer’s willful failure to pay under any Letter of Credit after the presentation to it by the beneficiary of a sight draft and certificate(s) strictly complying with the terms and conditions of a Letter of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, the applicable L/C Issuer may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, and such L/C Issuer shall not be responsible for the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign a Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason. Each L/C Issuer may send a Letter of Credit or conduct any communication to or from the beneficiary via the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (“ SWIFT ”) message or overnight courier, or any other commercially reasonable means of communicating with a beneficiary.

(g) Applicability of ISP and UCP . Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the applicable L/C Issuer and the Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued, the rules of the ISP or UCP shall apply to each standby Letter of Credit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no L/C Issuer shall be responsible to the Borrower for, and no L/C Issuer’s rights and remedies against the Borrower shall be impaired by, any action or inaction of such L/C Issuer required or permitted under any law, order or practice that is required or permitted to be applied to any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, including the Law or any order of a jurisdiction where such L/C Issuer or the beneficiary is located, the practice stated in the ISP or UCP, as applicable, or in the decisions, opinions, practice statements or official commentary of the ICC Banking Commission, the Bankers Association for Finance and Trade – International Financial Services Association (BAFT-IFSA) or the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, whether or not any Letter of Credit chooses such law or practice.

(h) Letter of Credit Fees . The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Credit Lender in accordance with its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage a Letter of Credit fee (the “ Letter of Credit Fee ”) for each Letter of Credit equal to the Applicable Rate for a Eurodollar Rate Loan under the Revolving Credit Facility times the daily amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. For purposes of computing the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.07 . Letter of Credit Fees shall be (i) due and payable on the first Business Day after the end of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, on the Letter of Credit Expiration Date and thereafter on demand and (ii) computed on a quarterly basis in arrears. If there is any change in the Applicable Rate during any quarter, the daily amount available to be drawn under each Letter of Credit shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Rate separately for each period during such quarter that such Applicable Rate was in effect. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, upon the request of the Required Revolving Lenders, while any Event of Default exists, all Letter of Credit Fees shall accrue at the Default Rate.

(i) Fronting Fee and Documentary and Processing Charges Payable to L/C Issuer . The Borrower shall pay directly to the applicable L/C Issuer for its own account a fronting fee

 

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with respect to each Letter of Credit, at per annum rate equal to 12.5 basis points, computed on the daily amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit on a quarterly basis in arrears. Such fronting fee shall be due and payable on the first Business Day after the end of each March, June, September and December in respect of the most recently-ended quarterly period (or portion thereof, in the case of the first payment), commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, on the Letter of Credit Expiration Date and thereafter on demand. For purposes of computing the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.07 . In addition, the Borrower shall pay directly to each L/C Issuer for its own account the customary issuance, presentation, amendment and other processing fees, and other standard costs and charges, of such L/C Issuer relating to letters of credit as from time to time in effect. Such customary fees and standard costs and charges are due and payable on demand and are nonrefundable.

(j) Conflict with Issuer Documents . In the event of any conflict between the terms hereof and the terms of any Issuer Document, the terms hereof shall control.

(k) Letters of Credit Issued for Subsidiaries . Notwithstanding that a Letter of Credit issued or outstanding hereunder is in support of any obligations of, or is for the account of, a Subsidiary, the Borrower shall be obligated to reimburse the applicable L/C Issuer hereunder for any and all drawings under such Letter of Credit. The Borrower hereby acknowledges that the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of Subsidiaries inures to the benefit of the Borrower, and that the Borrower’s business derives substantial benefits from the businesses of such Subsidiaries.

(l) Additional L/C Issuers . In addition to KeyBank, SunTrust Bank and Regions Bank, the Borrower may from time to time, with notice to the Revolving Credit Lenders and the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) and the applicable Revolving Credit Lender being so appointed, appoint additional Revolving Credit Lenders to be L/C Issuers hereunder, provided that the total number of L/C Issuers at any time shall not exceed three Revolving Credit Lenders. Upon the appointment of a Revolving Credit Lender as an L/C Issuer hereunder such Person shall become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of an L/C Issuer hereunder.

(m) Removal of L/C Issuers . The Borrower may at any time remove any Revolving Credit Lender from its role as an L/C Issuer hereunder upon not less than 30 days prior notice to such L/C Issuer (or such shorter period of time as may be acceptable to such L/C Issuer); provided that such removed L/C Issuer shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of an L/C Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its removal as L/C Issuer and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto (including the right to require the Revolving Credit Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.03(c) ). Without limiting the foregoing, upon the removal of a Revolving Credit Lender as an L/C Issuer hereunder, the Borrower may, or at the request of such removed L/C Issuer the Borrower shall use commercially reasonable efforts to, arrange for one or more of the other L/C Issuers to issue Letters of Credit hereunder in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, issued by such removed L/C Issuer and outstanding at the time of such removal, or make other arrangements satisfactory to the removed L/C Issuer to effectively cause another L/C Issuer to assume the obligations of the removed L/C Issuer with respect to any such Letters of Credit.

 

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(n) Reporting of Letter of Credit Information . At any time that any Revolving Credit Lender other than the Person serving as the Administrative Agent is an L/C Issuer, then (i) on the last Business Day of each calendar month, (ii) on each date that a Letter of Credit is amended, terminated or otherwise expires, (iii) on each date that an L/C Credit Extension occurs with respect to any Letter of Credit, and (iv) upon the request of the Administrative Agent, each L/C Issuer (or, in the case of part (ii), (iii) or (iv), the applicable L/C Issuer) shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a report setting forth in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent information (including, without limitation, any reimbursement, Cash Collateral or termination in respect of Letters of Credit issued by such L/C Issuer) with respect to each Letter of Credit issued by such L/C Issuer that is outstanding hereunder, including any auto-renewal or termination of auto-renewal provisions in such Letter of Credit. No failure on the part of any L/C Issuer to provide such information pursuant to this Section 2.03(n) shall limit the obligation of the Borrower or any Revolving Credit Lender hereunder with respect to its reimbursement and participation obligations, respectively, pursuant to this Section 2.03 .

2.04 Swing Line Loans . (a)  The Swing Line . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Swing Line Lender, in reliance upon the agreements of the other Lenders set forth in this Section 2.04 , shall make loans (each such loan, a “ Swing Line 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 the amount of the Swing Line Sublimit, notwithstanding the fact that such Swing Line Loans, when aggregated with the Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of Revolving Credit Loans and L/C Obligations of the Lender acting as Swing Line Lender, may exceed the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment; provided , however , that after giving effect to any Swing Line Loan, (i) the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings shall not exceed the Revolving Credit Facility at such time, and (ii) the Revolving Credit Exposure of any Revolving Credit Lender shall not exceed such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment, (y) the Borrower shall not use the proceeds of any Swing Line Loan to refinance any outstanding Swing Line Loan, and (z) the Swing Line Lender shall not be under any obligation to make any Swing Line Loan if it shall determine (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that it has, or by such Credit Extension may have, Fronting Exposure. Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow under this Section 2.04 , prepay under Section 2.05 , and reborrow under this Section 2.04 . Each Swing Line Loan shall bear interest only at a rate based on the Base Rate. Immediately upon the making of a Swing Line Loan, each Revolving Credit Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the Swing Line Lender a risk participation in such Swing Line Loan in an amount equal to the product of such Revolving Credit Lender’s Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage times the amount of such Swing Line Loan.

(b) Borrowing Procedures . Each Swing Line Borrowing shall be made upon the Borrower’s irrevocable notice to the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent, which may be given by telephone. Each such notice must be received by the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. on the requested borrowing date, and shall specify (i) the amount to be borrowed, which shall be a minimum of $100,000, and (ii) the

 

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requested borrowing date, which shall be a Business Day; provided that, if the Revolving Credit Exposure shall be less than Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000), no Swing Line Loan Notice shall be required to the extent that funding of Swing Loans is administered through an automated cash management system with the Swing Line Lender. Each such telephonic notice must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent of a written Swing Line Loan Notice, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower. Promptly after receipt by the Swing Line Lender of any telephonic Swing Line Loan Notice, the Swing Line Lender will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has also received such Swing Line Loan Notice and, if not, the Swing Line Lender will notify the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) of the contents thereof. Unless the Swing Line Lender has received notice (by telephone or in writing) from the Administrative Agent (including at the request of any Revolving Credit Lender) prior to 2:00 p.m. on the date of the proposed Swing Line Borrowing (A) directing the Swing Line Lender not to make such Swing Line Loan as a result of the limitations set forth in the first proviso to the first sentence of Section 2.04(a) , or (B) that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Article IV is not then satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Swing Line Lender will, not later than 3:00 p.m. on the borrowing date specified in such Swing Line Loan Notice, make the amount of its Swing Line Loan available to the Borrower.

(c) Refinancing of Swing Line Loans .

(i) The Swing Line Lender at any time in its sole and absolute discretion may request, on behalf of the Borrower (which hereby irrevocably authorizes the Swing Line Lender to so request on its behalf), that each Revolving Credit Lender make a Base Rate Loan in an amount equal to such Lender’s Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the amount of Swing Line Loans then outstanding. Such request shall be made in writing (which written request shall be deemed to be a Committed Loan Notice for purposes hereof) and in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.02 , without regard to the minimum and multiples specified therein for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans, but subject to the unutilized portion of the Revolving Credit Facility and the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 . The Swing Line Lender shall furnish the Borrower with a copy of the applicable Committed Loan Notice promptly after delivering such notice to the Administrative Agent. Each Revolving Credit Lender shall make an amount equal to its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the amount specified in such Committed Loan Notice available to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds (and the Administrative Agent may apply Cash Collateral available with respect to the applicable Swing Line Loan) for the account of the Swing Line Lender at the Administrative Agent’s Office not later than 1:00 p.m. on the day specified in such Committed Loan Notice, whereupon, subject to Section 2.04(c)(ii) , each Revolving Credit Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Base Rate Loan to the Borrower in such amount. The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the Swing Line Lender.

(ii) If for any reason any Swing Line Loan cannot be refinanced by such a Revolving Credit Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.04(c)(i) , the request for Base Rate Loans submitted by the Swing Line Lender as set forth herein shall be deemed to be

 

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a request by the Swing Line Lender that each of the Revolving Credit Lenders fund its risk participation in the relevant Swing Line Loan and each Revolving Credit Lender’s payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender pursuant to Section 2.04(c)(i) shall be deemed payment in respect of such participation.

(iii) If any Revolving Credit Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender any amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.04(c) by the time specified in Section 2.04(c)(i) , the Swing Line Lender shall be entitled to recover from such Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the Swing Line Lender at a rate per annum equal to the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Swing Line Lender in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Swing Line Lender in connection with the foregoing. If such Lender pays such amount (with interest and fees as aforesaid), the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Revolving Credit Loan included in the relevant Revolving Credit Borrowing or funded participation in the relevant Swing Line Loan, as the case may be. A certificate of the Swing Line Lender submitted to any Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (iii) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(iv) Each Revolving Credit Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans or to purchase and fund risk participations in Swing Line Loans pursuant to this Section 2.04(c) shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against the Swing Line Lender, 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 Credit Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans pursuant to this Section 2.04(c) is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 . No such funding of risk participations shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrower to repay Swing Line Loans, together with interest as provided herein.

(d) Repayment of Participations .

(i) At any time after any Revolving Credit Lender has purchased and funded a risk participation in a Swing Line Loan, if the Swing Line Lender receives any payment on account of such Swing Line Loan, the Swing Line Lender will distribute to such Revolving Credit Lender its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage thereof in the same funds as those received by the Swing Line Lender.

(ii) If any payment received by the Swing Line Lender in respect of principal or interest on any Swing Line Loan is required to be returned by the Swing Line Lender under any of the circumstances described in Section 10.05 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Swing Line Lender in its discretion), each Revolving

 

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Credit Lender shall pay to the Swing Line Lender its Applicable Revolving Credit 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 Swing Line Lender. The obligations of the Lenders under this clause shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

(e) Interest for Account of Swing Line Lender . The Swing Line Lender shall be responsible for invoicing the Borrower for interest on the Swing Line Loans. Until each Revolving Credit Lender funds its Base Rate Loan or risk participation pursuant to this Section 2.04 to refinance such Revolving Credit Lender’s Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of any Swing Line Loan, interest in respect of such Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage shall be solely for the account of the Swing Line Lender.

(f) Payments Directly to Swing Line Lender . The Borrower shall make all payments of principal and interest in respect of the Swing Line Loans directly to the Swing Line Lender.

(g) Notices and Reporting of Swing Line Loan Information .

(i) Promptly after receipt of any Swing Line Loan Notice or notice under clause (b) hereof, the Swing Line Lender will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has received a copy of such notice from the Borrower and, if not, the Swing Line Lender will provide the Administrative Agent with a copy thereof.

(ii) If at any time that any Revolving Credit Lender other than the Person serving as the Administrative Agent is the Swing Line Lender, then (A) on the first Business Day of each calendar month, (B) on each date that a Swing Line Loan is issued, continued or converted, and (C) promptly upon the request of the Administrative Agent, the Swing Line Lender shall deliver (or in the case of clause (B), use commercially reasonable efforts to deliver) to the Administrative Agent a report setting forth in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent information (including, without limitation, any reimbursement, Cash Collateral, conversion, extension or repayment in respect of Swing Line Loans issued by the Swing Line Lender) with respect to each Swing Line Loan issued by the Swing Line Lender that is outstanding hereunder. No failure on the part of the Swing Line Lender to provide such information pursuant to this Section 2.04(g) shall limit the obligation of the Borrower or any Lender hereunder with respect to its reimbursement and participation obligations, respectively, pursuant to this Section 2.04.

(h) Removal of Swing Line Lender . The Borrower may at any time remove any Revolving Credit Lender from its role as Swing Line Lender hereunder upon not less than 30 days prior notice to the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent (or such shorter period of time as may be acceptable to the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent) so long as prior to the removal of such Revolving Credit Lender from its role as Swing Line Lender, (x) the Borrower appoints another Revolving Credit Lender to serve as successor Swing Line Lender, (y) such Revolving Credit Lender accepts its appointment to serve as Successor Swing Line

 

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Lender, and (z) such successor Swing Line Lender is reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent; provided that the Swing Line Lender shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of a Swing Line Lender hereunder with respect to all Swing Loans outstanding as of the effective date of its removal as the Swing Line Lender (including the right to require the Revolving Credit Lenders to make Base Rate Loans).

2.05 Prepayments .

(a) Optional .

(i) Subject to Section 2.05(c) , the Borrower may, upon notice to the Administrative Agent, at any time or from time to time after the date that is ten (10) Business Days after the Closing Date, voluntarily prepay Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty; provided that (A) such notice must be in a form acceptable to the Administrative Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent) appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer and be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (1) three Business Days prior to any date of prepayment of Eurodollar Rate Loans and (2) on the date of prepayment of Base Rate Loans; (B) any prepayment of Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof; and (C) any prepayment of Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof or, in each case, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding. Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment and the Type(s) of Loans to be prepaid and, if Eurodollar Rate Loans are to be prepaid, the Interest Period(s) of such Loans. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Lender of its receipt of each such notice, and of the amount of such Lender’s ratable portion of such prepayment (based on such Lender’s Applicable Percentage in respect of the relevant Facility). If such notice is given by the Borrower, the Borrower shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein. Any prepayment of a Loan shall be accompanied by all accrued interest on the amount prepaid, together with, in the case of a Eurodollar Rate Loan, any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05 . Each prepayment of the outstanding Term Loans pursuant to this Section 2.05(a) shall be applied to the principal repayment installments thereof as directed by the Borrower, and subject to Section 2.15 , each such prepayment shall be paid to the Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages in respect of each of the relevant Facility.

(ii) The Borrower may, upon notice to the Swing Line Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at any time or from time to time, voluntarily prepay Swing Line Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty; provided that (A) such notice must be received by the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. on the date of the prepayment, and (B) any such prepayment shall be in a minimum principal amount of $100,000; provided further that, with respect to a repayment of a Swing Loan that is administered through an automated cash management system with the Swing Line Lender, no prepayment notice shall be required. Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment. If such notice is given by the Borrower, the Borrower shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein.

 

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(b) Mandatory .

(i) Commencing with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016, within the later of (x) five Business Days after financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) and the related Compliance Certificate has been delivered pursuant to Section 6.02(b) and (y) ninety-five (95) days after the end of such fiscal year, the Borrower shall prepay an aggregate principal amount of Loans equal to the excess (if any) of (A) the ECF Percentage of Excess Cash Flow for the fiscal year covered by such financial statements over (B) the aggregate principal amount of Term Loans prepaid pursuant to Section 2.05(a) and the aggregate principal amount of optional prepayments of Revolving Credit Loans during such fiscal year (solely to the extent such prepayments are accompanied by a concurrent equivalent permanent reduction in the Revolving Credit Commitments); provided that any such prepayments were not made with proceeds of any Indebtedness, Disposition, equity issuance, Extraordinary Receipts or other proceeds that would not be included in calculating Consolidated EBITDA for the applicable fiscal year (such prepayments to be applied as set forth in clause (v) below).

(ii) If the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries Disposes of any property (other than any Disposition of any property permitted by Section 7.05 (other than clause (b) thereof) which results in the realization by such Person of Net Cash Proceeds, the Borrower shall prepay an aggregate principal amount of Loans equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds within ten (10) Business Days of receipt thereof by such Person (such prepayments to be applied as set forth in clause (v) below); provided , however , that, with respect to any Net Cash Proceeds realized under a Disposition described in this Section 2.05(b)(ii) , at the election of the Borrower (as notified by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date of such Disposition), and so long as no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Borrower or such Subsidiary may reinvest all or any portion of such Net Cash Proceeds in operating assets so long as within 365 days after the receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds, such reinvestment shall have been consummated (as certified by the Borrower in writing to the Administrative Agent) and if such Net Cash Proceeds are not so reinvested within such 365-day period but such Net Cash Proceeds are subject to a definitive agreement within such 365-day period to reinvest such Net Cash Proceeds in accordance with this Section 2.05(b)(ii) then the Borrower or such Subsidiary shall have an additional 180 days after the end of the such initial 365-day period to reinvest such Net Cash Proceeds in accordance with this Section 2.05(b)(ii) ; and provided further , however , that any Net Cash Proceeds not subject to such definitive agreement or so reinvested shall be promptly applied to the prepayment of the Loans as set forth in this Section 2.05(b)(ii) .

(iii) Upon the incurrence or issuance by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness expressly permitted to be incurred or issued pursuant to Section 7.02 ), the Borrower shall prepay an aggregate principal amount of Loans equal to 100% of all Net Cash Proceeds received therefrom within five (5) Business Days of receipt thereof by the Borrower or such Subsidiary (such prepayments to be applied as set forth in clause (v) below).

 

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(iv) Upon any Extraordinary Receipt received by or paid to or for the account of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and not otherwise included in clause (ii) or (iii) of this Section 2.05(b) , the Borrower shall prepay an aggregate principal amount of Loans equal to 100% of all Net Cash Proceeds received therefrom within ten (10) Business Days of receipt thereof by the Borrower or such Subsidiary (such prepayments to be applied as set forth in clause (v) below); provided , however , that with respect to any proceeds of insurance, condemnation awards (or payments in lieu thereof) or indemnity payments, at the election of the Borrower (as notified by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date of receipt of such insurance proceeds, condemnation awards or indemnity payments), and so long as no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Borrower or such Subsidiary may apply within 365 days after the receipt of such cash proceeds to replace or repair the equipment, fixed assets or real property in respect of which such cash proceeds were received and if such Net Cash Proceeds are not so reinvested within such 365-day period but such Net Cash Proceeds are subject to a definitive agreement within such 365-day period to reinvest such Net Cash Proceeds in accordance with this Section 2.05(b)(iv) then the Borrower or such Subsidiary shall have an additional 180 days after the end of the such initial 365-day period to reinvest such Net Cash Proceeds in accordance with this Section 2.05(b)(iv) ; and provided , further , however , that any cash proceeds not so applied shall be promptly applied to the prepayment of the Loans as set forth in this Section 2.05(b)(iv) .

(v) Each prepayment of Loans pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.05(b) shall be applied, first , in direct order of maturity to the next four principal repayment installments of the Initial Term Facility (and, to the extent provided in the definitive loan documentation therefor in accordance with Section 2.14 , of any Incremental Term Loans) and, thereafter , to the remaining scheduled principal installments of the Initial Term Facility (and, to the extent provided in the definitive loan documentation therefor in accordance with Section 2.14 , of any Incremental Term Loans) on a pro rata basis; and, second , upon payment in full of all Term Loans, to the Revolving Credit Facility (without permanent reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitments) in the manner set forth in clause (vii)  of this Section 2.05(b) . Subject to Section 2.15 , such prepayments shall be paid to the Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages in respect of the relevant Facilities.

(vi) If for any reason the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings at any time exceed the Revolving Credit Facility at such time, the Borrower shall immediately prepay Revolving Credit Loans, Swing Line Loans and L/C Borrowings and/or Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations (other than the L/C Borrowings) in an aggregate amount equal to such excess.

(vii) Except as otherwise provided in Section  2.15, prepayments of the Revolving Credit Facility made pursuant to this Section 2.05(b) , first, shall be applied ratably to the L/C Borrowings and the Swing Line Loans, second, shall be applied ratably to the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans, and, third, shall be used to Cash Collateralize

 

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the remaining L/C Obligations in full; and, in the case of prepayments of the Revolving Credit Facility required pursuant to this Section 2.05(b) , the amount remaining, if any, after the prepayment in full of all L/C Borrowings, Swing Line Loans and Revolving Credit Loans outstanding at such time and the Cash Collateralization of the remaining L/C Obligations in full may be retained by the Borrower for use in the ordinary course of its business. Upon the drawing of any Letter of Credit that has been Cash Collateralized, the funds held as Cash Collateral shall be applied (without any further action by or notice to or from the Borrower or any other Loan Party or any Defaulting Lender that has provided Cash Collateral) to reimburse the applicable L/C Issuer or the applicable Revolving Credit Lenders, as applicable.

(viii) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 2.05(b) any mandatory prepayments arising under Section 2.05(b)(ii) or (iv)  from the receipt of Net Cash Proceeds from any Disposition or Extraordinary Receipts by any Foreign Subsidiary (each, a “ Foreign Disposition ”) or arising under Section 2.05(b)(i) from Excess Cash Flow directly attributable to Foreign Subsidiaries (“ Foreign Excess Cash Flow ”) shall not be required to the extent that the repatriation of such Net Cash Proceeds or Foreign Excess Cash Flow would (A) give rise to a material adverse tax consequence or (B) be prohibited or delayed by any requirement of applicable Laws. The Borrower hereby agreeing to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the applicable Foreign Subsidiary to promptly file any required forms, obtain any necessary consents and take all similar actions reasonably required by the applicable local Laws to permit such repatriation; provided that if such repatriation of any such affected Net Cash Proceeds or Foreign Excess Cash Flow is later permitted under applicable Laws and can be accomplished without material adverse tax consequences, such repatriation shall be effected as promptly as practicable and such repatriated Net Cash Proceeds or Foreign Excess Cash Flow, as applicable, will be promptly after such repatriation applied to the repayment of the Loans pursuant to this Section 2.05(b) to the extent provided herein.

(c) Call Premium . In the event that, on or prior to the date that is six-months after the Closing Date a Repricing Event occurs, the Borrower will pay a premium (a “ Call Premium ”), for the ratable account of each Lender that holds initial Loans, in an amount equal to 1.00% of the aggregate principal amount of the initial Loans subject to such Repricing Event (it being understood that any such Call Premium with respect to a Repricing Event under clause (ii) of the definition of Repricing Event shall be paid to each Non-Consenting Lender that is replaced in such Repricing Event pursuant to Section 10.13 ). Such Call Premium shall be due and payable within three (3) Business Days of the date of the effectiveness of such Repricing Event.

2.06 Termination or Reduction of Commitments .

(a) Optional . The Borrower may, upon notice to the Administrative Agent, terminate the Revolving Credit Facility, the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swing Line Sublimit, or from time to time permanently reduce the Revolving Credit Facility, the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swing Line Sublimit; provided that (i) any such notice shall be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. five Business Days prior to the date of termination or reduction, (ii) any such partial reduction shall be in an aggregate amount of $5,000,000 or any whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof and (iii) the Borrower shall

 

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not terminate or reduce (A) the Revolving Credit Facility if, after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent prepayments hereunder, the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings would exceed the Revolving Credit Facility, (B) the Letter of Credit Sublimit if, after giving effect thereto, the Outstanding Amount of L/C Obligations not fully Cash Collateralized hereunder would exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit or (C) the Swing Line Sublimit if, after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent prepayments hereunder, the Outstanding Amount of Swing Line Loans would exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit.

(b) Mandatory .

(i) The aggregate Initial Term Commitments shall be automatically and permanently reduced by the amount of the Term Borrowing made on the Closing Date and by the amount of any Term Borrowing made after the Closing Date, in each case pursuant to Section 2.01(a) .

(ii) Any unused Term Commitments shall be automatically and permanently reduced to zero on the last day of the applicable Availability Period (which, with respect to the Initial Term Commitments, shall be the Closing Date).

(iii) The Revolving Credit Commitment of each Revolving Credit Lender shall automatically and permanently reduce to $0 on the Maturity Date of the Revolving Credit Facility.

(iv) If after giving effect to any reduction or termination of Revolving Credit Commitments under this Section 2.06 , the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swing Line Sublimit exceeds the Revolving Credit Facility at such time, the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swing Line Sublimit, as the case may be, shall be automatically reduced by the amount of such excess.

(c) Application of Commitment Reductions; Payment of Fees .

(i) The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Lenders of any termination or reduction of the Letter of Credit Sublimit, Swing Line Sublimit or the Revolving Credit Commitment under this Section 2.06 . Upon any reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitments, the Revolving Credit Commitment of each Revolving Credit Lender shall be reduced by such Lender’s Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of such reduction amount. All fees in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility accrued until the effective date of any termination of the Revolving Credit Facility shall be paid on the effective date of such termination.

(ii) The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Lenders of any termination or reduction of the unused portion of the aggregate Term Commitments under this Section 2.06 . Upon any reduction of the unused portion of the aggregate Term Commitments, the Term Commitment of each Term Lender shall be reduced by such Lender’s ratable portion of such reduction amount.

 

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2.07 Repayment of Loans . (a)  Term Loans . The Borrower shall repay to the Term Lenders the aggregate principal amount of all Initial Term Loans outstanding on the following dates in an amount equal to the percentage set forth opposite such date times the aggregate initial principal amount of the Initial Term Loans actually made pursuant to Section 2.01(a) (which amounts shall be reduced as a result of the application of prepayments in accordance with the order of priority set forth in Section 2.05 ):

 

Fiscal Quarter Ending

   Repayment Percentage

December 31, 2015

   0.25%

March 31, 2016

June 30, 2016

September 30, 2016

December 31, 2016

   0.25%

0.25%

0.25%

0.25%

March 31, 2017

June 30, 2017

September 30, 2017

December 31, 2017

   0.25%

0.25%

0.25%

0.25%

March 31, 2018

June 30, 2018

September 30, 2018

December 31, 2018

   0.25%

0.25%

0.25%

0.25%

March 31, 2019

June 30, 2019

September 30, 2019

December 31, 2019

   0.25%

0.25%

0.25%

0.25%

March 31, 2020

June 30, 2020

September 30, 2020

December 31, 2020

   0.25%

0.25%

0.25%

0.25%

March 31, 2021

June 30, 2021

September 30, 2021

December 31, 2021

   0.25%

0.25%

0.25%

0.25%

March 31, 2022

June 30, 2022

September 30, 2022

   0.25%

0.25%

0.25%

Maturity Date with respect to the Initial Term Loans

   All outstanding principal amount
of the Initial Term Loans

In the event that any Incremental Term Loans are made, the Borrower shall repay such Incremental Term Loans on the dates and in the amounts set forth documentation entered into in connection with such Incremental Term Loans, with all outstanding principal amounts of such Incremental Term Loans being made on the applicable Maturity Date thereof.

(b) Revolving Credit Loans . The Borrower shall repay to the Administrative Agent for the ratable account of the applicable Revolving Credit Lenders on the Maturity Date for the Revolving Credit Facility the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Credit Loans outstanding on such date.

(c) Swing Line Loans . The Borrower shall repay each Swing Line Loan on the earlier to occur of (i) the date seven days after such Loan is made and (ii) the Maturity Date for the Revolving Credit Facility.

 

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2.08 Interest .

(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.08(b) , (i) each Eurodollar Rate Loan under a Facility shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each Interest Period at a rate per annum equal to the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Rate for such Facility; (ii) each Base Rate Loan under a Facility shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate for such Facility; and (iii) each Swing Line Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate for the Revolving Credit Facility.

(b) (i) If any amount of principal of any Loan is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.

(ii) While any Event of Default exists and is continuing under Section 8.01(j) , the Borrower shall pay interest on all outstanding Obligations hereunder at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.

(iii) Upon the request of the Required Lenders, while any Event of Default exists (other than to the extent set forth in Sections 2.08(b)(i) and (b)(ii) above), the Borrower shall pay interest on the principal amount of all outstanding Obligations hereunder at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.

(iv) While a Financial Covenant Event of Default exists, the Borrower shall pay interest on the principal amount of all outstanding Total Revolving Credit Obligations hereunder at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.

(v) Accrued and unpaid interest on past due amounts (including interest on past due interest) shall be due and payable upon demand.

(c) Interest on each Loan shall be due and payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date applicable thereto and at such other times as may be specified herein. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof before and after judgment, and before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.

 

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2.09 Fees . In addition to certain fees described in Sections 2.03(h) and (i) :

(a) Commitment Fee . The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Credit Lender in accordance with its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage, a commitment fee (the “ Commitment Fee ”) equal to the Applicable Fee Rate times the actual daily amount by which the Revolving Credit Facility exceeds the sum of (i) the Outstanding Amount of Revolving Credit Loans plus (ii) the Outstanding Amount of L/C Obligations, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.15 . For the avoidance of doubt, the Outstanding Amount of Swing Line Loans shall not be counted towards or considered usage of the Aggregate Commitments for purposes of determining the Commitment Fee. The Commitment Fee shall accrue at all times during the relevant Availability Period, including at any time during which one or more of the conditions in Article IV is not met, and shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on the first Business Day after the end of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the Closing Date, and on the last day of the Availability Period for the Revolving Credit Facility. The Commitment Fee shall be calculated quarterly in arrears, and if there is any change in the Applicable Fee Rate during any quarter, the actual daily amount shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Fee Rate separately for each period during such quarter that such Applicable Fee Rate was in effect.

(b) Other Fees .

(i) The Borrower shall pay to the Arrangers and the Administrative Agent for their own respective accounts fees in the amounts and at the times specified in the Fee Letter. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.

(ii) The Borrower shall pay to the Lenders such fees as shall have been separately agreed upon in writing in the amounts and at the times so specified. All such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.

2.10 Computation of Interest and Fees; Retroactive Adjustments of Applicable Rate .

(a) All computations of interest for Base Rate Loans (including Base Rate Loans determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate) shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All other computations of fees and interest shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365 or 366-day year). Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid; provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall, subject to Section 2.12(a) , bear interest for one day. Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an interest rate or fee hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

(b) If, as a result of any restatement of or other adjustment to the financial statements of the Borrower or for any other reason, the Borrower or the Lenders determine that (i) the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as calculated by the Borrower as of any applicable date was inaccurate and (ii) a proper calculation of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio would have resulted in higher pricing for such period, the Borrower shall immediately and retroactively be obligated to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Lenders or the applicable L/C Issuers, as the case may be, promptly on demand by the Administrative Agent (or, after the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to the Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, automatically and without further action by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any L/C Issuer), an amount equal to the excess of the amount of interest and fees that should have been paid for such period over the amount of interest and fees actually paid for such period. This paragraph shall not limit the rights of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any L/C Issuer, as the case may be, under Section 2.03(c)(iii) , Section 2.03(i) or Section 2.08(b) or under Article VIII. The Borrower’s obligations under this paragraph shall survive the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the repayment of all other Obligations hereunder.

 

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2.11 Evidence of Debt .

(a) The Credit Extensions made by each Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender and by the Administrative Agent in the ordinary course of business. The accounts or records maintained by the Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the amount of the Credit Extensions made by the Lenders to the Borrower and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error. Upon the request of any Lender made through the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender (through the Administrative Agent) a Note, which shall evidence such Lender’s Loans in addition to such accounts or records. Each Lender may attach schedules to its Note and endorse thereon the date, Type (if applicable), amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.

(b) In addition to the accounts and records referred to in Section 2.11(a) , each Lender and the Administrative Agent shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice accounts or records evidencing the purchases and sales by such Lender of participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by the Administrative Agent and the accounts and records of any Lender in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error.

2.12 Payments Generally; Administrative Agent’s Clawback .

(a) General . All payments to be made by the Borrower shall be made free and clear of and without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff.

 

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Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by the Borrower hereunder shall be made to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at the Administrative Agent’s Office in Dollars and in immediately available funds not later than 2:00 p.m. on the date specified herein. The Administrative Agent will promptly distribute to each Lender its Applicable Percentage in respect of the relevant Facility (or other applicable share as provided herein) of such payment in like funds as received by wire transfer to such Lender’s Lending Office. All payments received by the Administrative Agent after 2:00 p.m. shall be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue. If any payment to be made by the Borrower shall come due on a day other than a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next following Business Day, and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the case may be.

(b) (i) Funding by Lenders; Presumption by Administrative Agent . Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing of Eurodollar Rate Loans (or, in the case of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, prior to 12:00 noon on the date of such Borrowing) that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section 2.02 (or, in the case of a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, that such Lender has made such share available in accordance with and at the time required by Section 2.02 ) 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 such corresponding amount in immediately available funds 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 (A) in the case of a payment to be made by such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Administrative Agent in connection with the foregoing, and (B) in the case of a payment to be made by the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to Base Rate Loans. If the Borrower and such Lender shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrower the amount of such interest paid by the Borrower for such period. If such Lender pays its share of the applicable Borrowing to the Administrative Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing. Any payment by the Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.

(ii) Payments by Borrower; Presumptions by Administrative Agent . Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the time at which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the L/C Issuers 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 Appropriate Lenders or the applicable L/C Issuer, as the case may be, the amount due. In

 

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such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Appropriate Lenders or the applicable L/C Issuer, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or such L/C Issuer, in immediately available funds 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 Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender or the Borrower with respect to any amount owing under this subsection (b) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

(c) Failure to Satisfy Conditions Precedent . If any Lender makes available to the Administrative Agent funds for any Loan to be made by such Lender as provided in the foregoing provisions of this Article II , and such funds are not made available to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent because the conditions to the applicable Credit Extension set forth in Article IV are not satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof, the Administrative Agent shall return such funds (in like funds as received from such Lender) to such Lender, without interest.

(d) Obligations of Lenders Several . The obligations of the Lenders hereunder to make Loans and to make Term Loans and Revolving Credit Loans, to fund participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans and to make payments pursuant to Section 10.04(c) are several and not joint. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan, to fund any such participation or to make any payment under Section 10.04(c) on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Loan, to purchase its participation or to make its payment under Section 10.04(c) .

(e) Funding Source . Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner.

(f) Insufficient Funds . If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, L/C Borrowings, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first , toward payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii)  second , toward payment of principal and L/C Borrowings then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and L/C Borrowings then due to such parties.

2.13 Sharing of Payments by Lenders. If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of (a) Obligations due and payable to such Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time in excess of its ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of such Obligations due and payable to such Lender at such time to (ii) the aggregate amount of the Obligations due and payable to all

 

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Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time) of payments on account of the Obligations due and payable to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time obtained by all the Lenders at such time or (b) Obligations owing (but not due and payable) to such Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time in excess of its ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of such Obligations owing (but not due and payable) to such Lender at such time to (ii) the aggregate amount of the Obligations owing (but not due and payable) to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Parties at such time) of payment on account of the Obligations owing (but not due and payable) to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time obtained by all of the Lenders at such time then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (a) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and subparticipations in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of Obligations then due and payable to the Lenders or owing (but not due and payable) to the Lenders, as the case may be, provided that:

(i) if any such participations or subparticipations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations or subparticipations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest; and

(ii) the provisions of this Section shall not be construed to apply to (A) any payment made by or on behalf of the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement (including the application of funds arising from the existence of a Defaulting Lender), (y) the application of Cash Collateral provided for in Section 2.16 , or (z) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or subparticipations in L/C Obligations or Swing Line Loans to any assignee or participant, other than an assignment to the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this Section shall apply).

The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable Laws, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of setoff 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.

2.14 Increase in Commitments .

(a) Request . The Borrower may, from time to time, request by notice to the Administrative Agent (x) one or more increases in the Revolving Credit Facility (each, a “ Revolving Credit Increase ”) or (y) one or more term loan tranches to be made available to the Borrower (each, an “ Incremental Term Loan ”; each Incremental Term Loan and each Revolving Credit Increase, collectively, referred to as the “ Incremental Increases ”); provided that:

(i) the principal amount for all such Incremental Increases in the aggregate since the Closing Date (including the then requested Incremental Increase) shall not exceed $100,000,000;

 

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(ii) any such request for an Incremental Increase shall be in a minimum amount of $25,000,000 (or a lesser amount in the event such amount represents all remaining availability under this Section);

(iii) no Revolving Credit Increase shall (A) increase the Letter of Credit Sublimit without the consent of each L/C Issuer (or, if such increase applies only to certain L/C Issuers pursuant to their agreement, such L/C Issuers) or (B) increase the Swing Line Sublimit without the consent of the Swing Line Lender;

(iv) no Incremental Term Loan shall mature earlier than the Latest Maturity Date then in effect or have a shorter weighted average life to maturity than the remaining weighted average life to maturity of any then-existing series of Term Loans;

(v) each Incremental Term Loan shall (A) rank pari passu in right of payment, prepayment, voting and/or security with the then-existing Term Loans, including sharing in mandatory prepayments under Section 2.05(b) pro rata with the then-existing Term Loans (unless agreed to be paid on a basis less than pro rata with the then-existing Term Loans by the Lenders providing such Incremental Term Loans) and (B) shall have an Applicable Rate or pricing grid as determined by the Lenders providing such Incremental Term Loans and the Borrower; provided , that if the Weighted Average Yield applicable to the Incremental Term Loans made pursuant to this Section 2.14 exceeds the Weighted Average Yield for any then-existing Term Loans by more than 50 basis points per annum (such amount in excess of 50 basis points, hereafter referred to as the “ Incremental Excess Yield ”), then the Weighted Average Yield with respect to any applicable then-existing Term Loans shall be increased by the Incremental Excess Yield (it being understood that any increase in the Weighted Average Yield of any then-existing Term Loans, may (A) take the form of upfront fees or original issue discount, with such upfront fees or original issue discount being equated to interest margins in a manner determined by the Administrative Agent and consistent with generally accepted financial practice based on an assumed four-year life to maturity or (B) be accomplished by a combination of an increase in the weighted average interest rates, interest rate floors and/or upfront fees or original issue discount) of such Incremental Term Loans made pursuant to this Section 2.14 ;

(vi) both before and immediately after giving effect to such Incremental Increase, as of the Increase Effective Date, no Default or Event of Default shall exist and be continuing;

(vii) immediately after giving effect to such Incremental Increase, as of the Increase Effective Date, the Borrower shall be in pro forma compliance (after giving effect to the incurrence of such Incremental Increase and the use of proceeds thereof, but disregarding any cash constituting proceeds of such Incremental Increase solely for purposes of determining the Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio in connection with this

 

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clause (vii) (assuming, in the case of a Revolving Credit Increase, that such new Revolving Credit Commitments are fully drawn)) with (x) in the case of a Revolving Credit Increase, the financial covenant contained in Section 7.14 (regardless of whether or not compliance with such ratio was in fact required as of the end of such fiscal quarter pursuant to Section 7.14) and (y) in the case of any Incremental Term Loan, the Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio shall not exceed the Closing Date Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio;

(viii) the representations and warranties of the Borrower and each other Loan Party contained in Article V or any other Loan Document, or which are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith, shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, with respect to representations and warranties modified by a materiality or Material Adverse Effect standard, in all respects) on and as of the Increase Effective Date, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they are true and correct in all material respects (or, with respect to representations and warranties modified by a materiality or Material Adverse Effect standard, in all respects) as of such earlier date, and except that for purposes of this clause (a)(viii) , the representations and warranties contained in Sections 5.05(a) and (b)  shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to Sections 6.01(a) and (b) , respectively;

(ix) except as provided above, all other terms and conditions applicable to any Incremental Term Loans, to the extent not consistent with the terms and conditions applicable to the Initial Term Loans, shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, the applicable Lenders providing such Incremental Term Loan and the Borrower (it being understood that if any terms taken as a whole are adverse to the interests of the existing Lenders, as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent, then that shall constitute a reasonable basis for the Administrative Agent not to be satisfied with such terms); and

(x) each Incremental Increase shall constitute Obligations hereunder and shall be guaranteed and secured pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement and the other Collateral Documents on a pari passu basis with the other Obligations hereunder.

(b) Process for Increase . Incremental Increases may be (but shall not be required to be) provided by any existing Lender, in each case on terms permitted in this Section 2.14 and otherwise on terms reasonably acceptable to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, or by any other Person that qualifies as an Eligible Assignee (each such other Person, an “ Additional Lender ”) pursuant to a joinder agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; provided that (i) the Administrative Agent shall have consented (in each case, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) to each proposed Additional Lender providing such Incremental Increase to the extent the Administrative Agent would be required to consent to an assignment to such Additional Lender pursuant to Section 10.06(b)(iii) and (ii) in the case of any Revolving Credit Increase, the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender shall have consented (in each case, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) to each such Lender or proposed Additional Lender providing such Revolving Credit Increase if such consent by the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, as

 

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the case may be, would be required under Section 10.06(b)(iii) for an assignment of Revolving Credit Loans or Revolving Credit Commitments to such Lender or proposed Additional Lender; provided further that the Borrower shall not be required to offer or accept commitments from existing Lenders for any Incremental Increase. No Lender shall have any obligation to increase its Revolving Credit Commitment, increase its Term Commitment or Term Loans or participate in any Incremental Term Loan, as the case may be, and no consent of any Lender, other than the Lenders agreeing to provide any portion of an Incremental Increase, shall be required to effectuate such Incremental Increase.

(c) Effective Date and Allocations . The Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall determine the effective date of any Incremental Increase (the “ Increase Effective Date ”), which shall be a date not less than 10 Business Days after the date on which such notice is delivered to the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the final allocation of such Incremental Increase and the Increase Effective Date.

(d) Conditions to Effectiveness of Increase .

(i) As a condition precedent to each Incremental Increase, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of the Borrower and, if reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent to be necessary or desirable under applicable Laws with respect to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement of a Guarantor, of each such Guarantor, dated as of the Increase Effective Date, signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower or Guarantor and (A) certifying and attaching the resolutions adopted by the Borrower or Guarantor approving or consenting to such Incremental Increase (which, with respect to any such Loan Party, may, if applicable, be the resolutions entered into by such Loan Party in connection with the incurrence of the Obligations on the Closing Date) and (B) certifying that (1) both before and immediately after giving effect to such Incremental Increase, as of the Increase Effective Date no Default or Event of Default shall exist and be continuing, (2) immediately after giving effect to such Incremental Increase, as of the Increase Effective Date, the Borrower shall be in pro forma compliance (after giving effect to the incurrence of such Incremental Increase and the use of proceeds thereof, but disregarding any cash constituting proceeds of such Incremental Increase solely for purposes of determining the Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio in connection with clause (a)(vii) above (assuming, in the case of a Revolving Credit Increase, that such new Revolving Credit Commitments are fully drawn)) with (x) in the case of a Revolving Credit Increase, the financial covenant contained in Section 7.14 (regardless of whether or not compliance with such ratio was in fact required as of the end of such fiscal quarter pursuant to Section 7.14 ) and (y) in the case of any Incremental Term Loan, the Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio shall not exceed the Closing Date Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio and (3) the representations and warranties of the Borrower and each other Loan Party contained in Article V or any other Loan Document, or which are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith, are true and correct in all material respects (or, with respect to representations and warranties modified by a materiality or Material Adverse Effect standard, in all respects) on and as of the Increase Effective Date, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they are true and correct in all material respects (or, with respect to representations and

 

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warranties modified by a materiality or Material Adverse Effect standard, in all respects) as of such earlier date, and except that for purposes of this clause (i)(B)(3) , the representations and warranties contained in Sections 5.05(a) and (b)  shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to Sections 6.01(a) and (b) , respectively. In addition, as a condition precedent to each Incremental Increase, the Borrower shall deliver or cause to be delivered such other officer’s certificates, Organization Documents and legal opinions of the type delivered on the Closing Date as are reasonably requested by, and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to, the Administrative Agent.

(ii) Each Revolving Credit Increase shall have the same terms as the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and be part of the existing Revolving Credit Facility hereunder. Upon each Revolving Credit Increase (x) each Revolving Credit Lender having a Revolving Credit Commitment immediately prior to such increase will automatically and without further act be deemed to have assigned to each Revolving Credit Lender providing a portion of the Revolving Credit Increase (each, a “ Revolving Credit Increase Lender ”) in respect of such increase, and each such Revolving Credit Increase Lender will automatically and without further act be deemed to have assumed, a portion of such Revolving Credit Lender’s participations hereunder in outstanding Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans such that, after giving effect to each such deemed assignment and assumption of participations, the percentage of the aggregate outstanding (1) participations hereunder in Letters of Credit and (2) participations hereunder in Swing Line Loans, will, in each case, equal each Revolving Credit Lender’s Applicable Revolving Credit Percentages (after giving effect to such increase in the Revolving Credit Facility) and (y) if, on the date of such increase there are any Revolving Credit Loans outstanding, the Revolving Credit Lenders shall make such payments among themselves as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request to the extent necessary to keep the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans ratable with any revised Applicable Revolving Credit Percentages arising from such Revolving Credit Increase, and the Borrower shall pay to the applicable Lenders any amounts required to be paid pursuant to Section 3.05 in connection with such payments among the Revolving Credit Lenders as if such payments were effected by prepayments of Revolving Credit Loans.

(iii) To the extent that any Incremental Increase shall take the form of an Incremental Term Loan, this Agreement may be amended to the extent necessary (without the need to obtain the consent of any Lender or any L/C Issuer other than the Lenders providing such Incremental Term Loans), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to include such terms as are customary for a term loan commitment, including mandatory prepayments, assignments and voting provisions; provided that (i) if any terms taken as a whole are adverse to the material interests of the existing Lenders, as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent, then that shall constitute a reasonable basis for the Administrative Agent not to be satisfied with such terms or amendment and (ii) no such terms or amendment shall contravene any of the terms of the then existing Loan Documents. On any Increase Effective Date on which any Incremental Increase in the form of an Incremental Term Loan is effective, subject to the satisfaction of the terms and conditions in this Section 2.14 , each Lender of such Incremental Term Loan shall make an amount equal to its commitment to such Incremental Term Loan available to the Borrower, in a manner consistent with Borrowings hereunder.

(iv) As a condition precedent to each Incremental Increase, all fees and expenses relating to each Incremental Increase, to the extent due and payable, shall have been paid in full.

(e) Conflicting Provisions . This Section shall supersede any provisions in Section 2.13 or 10.01 to the contrary.

 

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2.15 Defaulting Lenders .

(a) Adjustments . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as that Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable Laws:

(i) Waivers and Amendments . Such Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in Section 10.01 and in the definition of “Required Lender”.

(ii) Defaulting Lender Waterfall . Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article VIII or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 10.08 shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first , to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second , to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the L/C Issuers or Swing Line Lender hereunder; third , to Cash Collateralize each L/C Issuer’s Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with Section 2.16 ; fourth , 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 such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; fifth , if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to (x) satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans under this Agreement and (y) Cash Collateralize each L/C Issuer’s future Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement, in accordance with Section 2.16 ; sixth , to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the L/C Issuers or Swing Line Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, any L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; seventh , 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 such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and eighth , to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of

 

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competent jurisdiction; provided that if such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or L/C Borrowings in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and L/C Obligations owed to, all Non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or L/C Obligations owed to, such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans and funded and unfunded participations in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Commitments hereunder without giving effect to Section 2.15(a)(iv) . 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 this Section 2.15(a)(ii) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.

(iii) Certain Fees .

(A) No Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive any fee payable under Section 2.09(a) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and the Borrower shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Lender).

(B) Each Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive Letter of Credit Fees for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender only to the extent allocable to its Applicable Percentage of the stated amount of Letters of Credit for which it has provided Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 2.16 .

(C) With respect to any fee payable under Section 2.09(a) or any Letter of Credit Fee not required to be paid to any Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (A)  or (B)  above, the Borrower shall (x) pay to each Non-Defaulting Lender that portion of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations or Swing Line Loans that has been reallocated to such Non-Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (iv)  below, (y) pay to each L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender, as applicable, the amount of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender to the extent allocable to such L/C Issuer’s or Swing Line Lender’s Fronting Exposure to such Defaulting Lender and (z) not be required to pay the remaining amount of any such fee.

(iv) Reallocation of Applicable Percentages to Reduce Fronting Exposure . All or any part of such Defaulting Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans shall be reallocated among the Non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages (calculated without regard to such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment) but only to the extent that (x) the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 are satisfied at the time of such reallocation (and, unless the Borrower shall have otherwise notified the Administrative Agent at such time, the Borrower shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that such conditions are satisfied at such time) and (y) such reallocation does not cause the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure of any Non-Defaulting Lender to exceed such Non-Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Credit

 

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Commitment. No reallocation hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder against a Defaulting Lender arising from that Lender having become a Defaulting Lender, including any claim of a Non-Defaulting Lender as a result of such Non-Defaulting Lender’s increased exposure following such reallocation.

(v) Cash Collateral, Repayment of Swing Line Loans . If the reallocation described in clause (a)(iv) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall, without prejudice to any right or remedy available to it hereunder or under applicable Laws, (x) first, prepay Swing Line Loans in an amount equal to the Swing Line Lenders’ Fronting Exposure and (y) second, Cash Collateralize the L/C Issuers’ Fronting Exposure in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.16 .

(b) Defaulting Lender Cure . If the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and the L/C Issuers agree in writing that a Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any Cash Collateral), that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase at par that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Revolving Credit Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans to be held on a pro rata basis by the Lenders in accordance with their Applicable Percentages (without giving effect to Section 2.15(a)(iv) ), whereupon such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the 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 Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

2.16 Cash Collateral .

(a) Certain Credit Support Events . If (i) an L/C Issuer has honored any full or partial drawing request under any Letter of Credit and such drawing has resulted in an L/C Borrowing, (ii) as of the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, any L/C Obligation for any reason remains outstanding, (iii) the Borrower shall be required to provide Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 8.02(c) or (iv) there shall exist a Defaulting Lender, the Borrower shall immediately (in the case of clause (iii) above) or within one Business Day (in all other cases), following any request by the Administrative Agent or an L/C Issuer, provide Cash Collateral in an amount not less than the applicable Minimum Collateral Amount (determined in the case of Cash Collateral provided pursuant to clause (iv)  above, after giving effect to Section 2.15(a)(iv) and any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender). If at any time the Administrative Agent determines that any funds held as Cash Collateral are subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Administrative Agent or that the total amount of such funds is less than the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations, the Borrower will, forthwith upon demand by the Administrative Agent, pay to the Administrative Agent, as additional funds to be deposited as Cash Collateral, an amount equal to the excess of (x) such aggregate Outstanding Amount over (y) the total amount of funds, if any, then held as Cash Collateral that the Administrative Agent determines to be free and clear of any such right and claim. Upon the

 

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drawing of any Letter of Credit for which funds are on deposit as Cash Collateral, such funds shall be applied, to the extent permitted under applicable Laws, to reimburse the applicable L/C Issuer.

(b) Grant of Security Interest . The Borrower, and to the extent provided by any Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender, hereby grants to (and subjects to the control of) the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuers and the Lenders, and agrees to maintain, a first priority security interest in all such cash, deposit accounts and all balances therein, and all other property so provided as collateral pursuant hereto, and in all proceeds of the foregoing, all as security for the obligations to which such Cash Collateral may be applied pursuant to Section 2.16(c) . If at any time the Administrative Agent determines that Cash Collateral is subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Administrative Agent or the applicable L/C Issuer as herein provided, or that the total amount of such Cash Collateral is less than the Minimum Collateral Amount, the Borrower will, promptly upon demand by the Administrative Agent, pay or provide to the Administrative Agent additional Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to eliminate such deficiency. All Cash Collateral (other than credit support not constituting funds subject to deposit) shall be maintained in blocked, non-interest bearing deposit accounts at KeyBank. The Borrower shall pay on demand therefor from time to time all customary account opening, activity and other administrative fees and charges in connection with the maintenance and disbursement of Cash Collateral.

(c) Application . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Cash Collateral provided under any of this Section 2.16 or Sections 2.03 , 2.04 , 2.05 , 2.15 or 8.02 in respect of Letters of Credit or Swing Line Loans shall be held and applied to the satisfaction of the specific L/C Obligations, Swing Line Loans, obligations to fund participations therein (including, as to Cash Collateral provided by a Defaulting Lender, any interest accrued on such obligation) and other obligations for which the Cash Collateral was so provided, prior to any other application of such property as may be provided for herein.

(d) Release . Cash Collateral (or the appropriate portion thereof) provided to reduce Fronting Exposure or to secure other obligations shall be released promptly following (i) the elimination of the applicable Fronting Exposure or other obligations giving rise thereto (including by the termination of Defaulting Lender status of the applicable Lender (or, as appropriate, its assignee following compliance with Section 10.06(b)(vi) )) or (ii) the determination by the Administrative Agent and the applicable L/C Issuer that there exists excess Cash Collateral; provided , however, (x) any such release shall be without prejudice to, and any disbursement or other transfer of Cash Collateral shall be and remain subject to, any other Lien conferred under the Loan Documents and the other applicable provisions of the Loan Documents, and (y) the Person providing Cash Collateral and the applicable L/C Issuer may agree that Cash Collateral shall not be released but instead held to support future anticipated Fronting Exposure or other obligations.

 

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ARTICLE III

TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

3.01 Taxes . (a)  Payments Free of Taxes; Obligation to Withhold; Payments on Account of Taxes .

(i) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder or under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable Laws. If any applicable Law (as determined in the good faith discretion of the Administrative Agent) require the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by the Administrative Agent or a Loan Party, then the Administrative Agent or such Loan Party shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding, upon the basis of the information and documentation to be delivered pursuant to subsection (e)  below.

(ii) If any Loan Party or the Administrative Agent shall be required by the Code to withhold or deduct any Taxes, including both United States Federal backup withholding and withholding taxes, from any payment, then (A) the Administrative Agent shall withhold or make such deductions as are determined by the Administrative Agent to be required based upon the information and documentation it has received pursuant to subsection (e)  below, (B) the Administrative Agent shall timely pay the full amount withheld or deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with the Code, and (C) to the extent that the withholding or deduction is made on account of Indemnified Taxes, the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after any required withholding or the making of all required deductions (including deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 3.01 ) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such withholding or deduction been made.

(iii) If any Loan Party or the Administrative Agent shall be required by any applicable Laws other than the Code to withhold or deduct any Taxes from any payment, then (A) such Loan Party or the Administrative Agent, as required by such Laws, shall withhold or make such deductions as are determined by it to be required based upon the information and documentation it has received pursuant to subsection (e)  below, (B) such Loan Party or the Administrative Agent, to the extent required by such Laws, shall timely pay the full amount withheld or deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with such Laws, and (C) to the extent that the withholding or deduction is made on account of Indemnified Taxes, the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after any required withholding or the making of all required deductions (including deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 3.01 ) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such withholding or deduction been made.

(b) Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower . Without limiting the provisions of subsection (a)  above, the Borrower shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Laws, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.

(c) Tax Indemnifications . (i) The Borrower shall, and does hereby, indemnify each Recipient, and shall make payment in respect thereof within 10 days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 3.01 ) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient, and any penalties,

 

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interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender or an L/C Issuer (with a copy to the Administrative Agent, or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or an L/C Issuer, shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall, and does hereby, indemnify the Administrative Agent, and shall make payment in respect thereof within 10 days after demand therefor, for any amount which a Lender or an L/C Issuer for any reason fails to pay indefeasibly to the Administrative Agent as required pursuant to Section 3.01(c)(ii) below.

(ii) Each Lender and each L/C Issuer shall, and does hereby, severally indemnify, and shall make payment in respect thereof within 10 days after demand therefor, (x) the Administrative Agent against any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender or such L/C Issuer (but only to the extent that the Borrower has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so), (y) the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, as applicable, against any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 10.06(d) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, as applicable, against any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender or such L/C Issuer, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender and each L/C Issuer hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender or such L/C Issuer, as the case may be, under this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this clause (ii) .

(d) Evidence of Payments . Upon request by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, after any payment of Taxes by the Borrower or by the Administrative Agent to a Governmental Authority as provided in this Section 3.01 , the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent or the Administrative Agent shall deliver to the Borrower, as the case may be, the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of any return required by Laws to report such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be.

(e) Status of Lenders; Tax Documentation .

(i) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of

 

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withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 3.01(e)(ii)(A) , (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.

(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Borrower is a U.S. Person,

(A) any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;

(B) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:

(1) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;

(2) executed originals of IRS Form W-8ECI;

(3) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit E-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank”

 

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within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “ U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate ”) and (y) executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable; or

(4) to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed originals of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit E-2 or Exhibit E-3 , IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit E-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;

(C) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal with-holding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and

(D) if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

(iii) Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered pursuant to this Section 3.01 expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.

 

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(f) Treatment of Certain Refunds . Unless required by applicable Laws, at no time shall the Administrative Agent have any obligation to file for or otherwise pursue on behalf of a Lender or an L/C Issuer, or have any obligation to pay to any Lender or an L/C Issuer, any refund of Taxes withheld or deducted from funds paid for the account of such Lender or such L/C Issuer, as the case may be. If any Recipient determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by the Borrower or with respect to which the Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 3.01 , it shall pay to the Borrower an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Borrower under this Section 3.01 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) incurred by such Recipient, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund), provided that the Borrower, upon the request of the Recipient, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Recipient in the event the Recipient is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this subsection, in no event will the applicable Recipient be required to pay any amount to the Borrower pursuant to this subsection the payment of which would place the Recipient in a less favorable net after-Tax position than such Recipient would have been in if Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This subsection shall not be construed to require any Recipient to available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the Borrower or any other Person.

(g) Survival . Each party’s obligations under this Section 3.01 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender or an L/C Issuer, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all other Obligations.

3.02 Illegality . If any Lender determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable Lending Office to make, maintain or fund Loans whose interest is determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurodollar Rate, or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, Dollars in the London interbank market, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent, (i) any obligation of such Lender to make or continue Eurodollar Rate Loans or to convert Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be suspended, and (ii) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender making or maintaining Base Rate Loans the interest rate on which is determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate component of the Base Rate, the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the Eurodollar Rate component of the Base Rate, in

 

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each case 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, (x) the Borrower shall, upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay or, if applicable, convert all Eurodollar Rate Loans of such Lender to Base Rate Loans (the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the Eurodollar Rate component of the Base Rate), either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Rate Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Rate Loans and (y) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender determining or charging interest rates based upon the Eurodollar Rate, the Administrative Agent shall during the period of such suspension compute the Base Rate applicable to such Lender without reference to the Eurodollar Rate component thereof until the Administrative Agent is advised in writing by such Lender that it is no longer illegal for such Lender to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurodollar Rate. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.

3.03 Inability to Determine Rates . If in connection with any request for a Eurodollar Rate Loan or a conversion to or continuation thereof, (a) the Administrative Agent determines that (i) Dollar deposits are not being offered to banks in the London interbank eurodollar market for the applicable amount and Interest Period of such Eurodollar Rate Loan, or (ii) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining the Eurodollar Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurodollar Rate Loan or in connection with an existing or proposed Base Rate Loan (in each case with respect to clause (a) (i) above, “ Impacted Loans ”), or (b) the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders determine that for any reason the Eurodollar Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurodollar Rate Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding such Eurodollar Rate Loan, the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Borrower and each Lender. Thereafter, (x) the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be suspended (to the extent of the affected Eurodollar Rate Loans or Interest Periods) and (y) in the event of a determination described in the preceding sentence with respect to the Eurodollar Rate component of the Base Rate, the utilization of the Eurodollar Rate component in determining the Base Rate shall be suspended, in each case until the Administrative Agent upon the instruction of the Required Lenders revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans (to the extent of the affected Eurodollar Rate Loans or Interest Periods) or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans in the amount specified therein.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Administrative Agent has made the determination described in clause (a) (i) of this section, the Administrative Agent, in consultation with the Borrower and the affected Lenders, may establish an alternative interest rate for the Impacted Loans , in which case, such alternative rate of interest shall apply with respect to the Impacted Loans until (1) the Administrative Agent revokes the notice delivered with respect to the Impacted Loans under clause (a) of the first sentence of this section, (2) the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that such alternative interest rate does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding

 

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the Impacted Loans, or (3) any Lender determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for such Lender or its applicable Lending Office to make, maintain or fund Loans whose interest is determined by reference to such alternative rate of interest or to determine or charge interest rates based upon such rate or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to do any of the foregoing and provides the Administrative Agent and the Borrower written notice thereof.

3.04 Increased Costs; Reserves on Eurodollar Rate Loans . (a) Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:

(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any reserve requirement contemplated by Section 3.04(e) ) or any L/C Issuer;

(ii) subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b)  through (d)  of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; or

(iii) impose on any Lender or any L/C Issuer or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or Eurodollar Rate Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making, converting to, continuing or maintaining any Loan the interest on which is determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate (or, in the case of clause (ii) above, any Loan), or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan, or to increase the cost to such Lender or such L/C Issuer of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or such L/C Issuer hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender or such L/C Issuer, the Borrower will pay to such Lender or such L/C Issuer, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such L/C Issuer, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

(b) Capital Requirements . If any Lender or any L/C Issuer determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or such L/C Issuer or any Lending Office of such Lender or such Lender’s or such L/C Issuer’s holding company, if any, regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or such L/C Issuer’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or such L/C Issuer’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments of such Lender or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit or Swing Line Loans held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by such L/C Issuer, to a level below that which such Lender or such L/C Issuer or such Lender’s or such L/C Issuer’s holding company could have achieved but for such

 

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Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or such L/C Issuer’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or such L/C Issuer’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy or liquidity), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender or such L/C Issuer, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such L/C Issuer or such Lender’s or such L/C Issuer’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

(c) Certificates for Reimbursement . A certificate of a Lender or an L/C Issuer setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or such L/C Issuer or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in subsection (a)  or (b)  of this Section and delivered to the Borrower shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or such L/C Issuer, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

(d) Delay in Requests . Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or any L/C Issuer to demand compensation pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.04 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or such L/C Issuer’s right to demand such compensation, provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or an L/C Issuer pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than nine months prior to the date that such Lender or such L/C Issuer, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or such L/C Issuer’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the nine-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).

(e) Reserves on Eurodollar Rate Loans . The Borrower shall pay to each Lender, as long as such Lender shall be required to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency funds or deposits (currently known as “Eurocurrency liabilities”), additional interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Eurodollar Rate Loan equal to the actual costs of such reserves allocated to such Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), which shall be due and payable on each date on which interest is payable on such Loan, provided that the Borrower shall have received at least 10 days’ prior notice (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of such additional interest from such Lender. If a Lender fails to give notice 10 days prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date, such additional interest shall be due and payable 10 days from receipt of such notice.

3.05 Compensation for Losses . Upon demand of any Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) from time to time, the Borrower shall promptly compensate such Lender for and hold such Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a result of:

(a) any continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment of any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise);

 

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(b) any failure by the Borrower (for a reason other than the failure of such Lender to make a Loan) to prepay, borrow, continue or convert any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on the date or in the amount notified by the Borrower; or

(c) any assignment of a Eurodollar Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period therefor as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 10.13 ;

including any loss of anticipated profits and any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain such Loan or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained. The Borrower shall also pay any customary administrative fees charged by such Lender in connection with the foregoing.

For purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrower to the Lenders under this Section 3.05 , each Lender shall be deemed to have funded each Eurodollar Rate Loan made by it at the Eurodollar Rate for such Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the London interbank eurodollar market for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such Eurodollar Rate Loan was in fact so funded.

3.06 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders .

(a) Designation of a Different Lending Office . Each Lender may fund any Borrowing through any Lending Office, provided that the exercise of this option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Borrowing in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04 , or requires the Borrower to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender, any L/C Issuer, or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender or any L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 3.01 , or if any Lender gives a notice pursuant to Section 3.02 , then at the request of the Borrower such Lender or such L/C Issuer shall, as applicable, use reasonable efforts to designate a different Lending Office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender or such L/C Issuer, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.01 or 3.04, as the case may be, in the future, or eliminate the need for the notice pursuant to Section 3.02 , as applicable, and (ii) in each case, would not subject such Lender or such L/C Issuer, as the case may be, to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender or such L/C Issuer, as the case may be. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender or any L/C Issuer in connection with any such designation or assignment.

(b) Replacement of Lenders . If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04 , or if the Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01 , and in each case, such Lender has declined or is unable to designate a different lending office in accordance with Section 3.06(a) , the Borrower may replace such Lender in accordance with Section 10.13 .

 

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3.07 Survival . All of the Borrower’s obligations under this Article III shall survive termination of the Aggregate Commitments, repayment of all other Obligations hereunder, and resignation of the Administrative Agent.

ARTICLE IV

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CLOSING AND BORROWING

4.01 Conditions of Closing and Initial Borrowing . The effectiveness of this Agreement and the obligation of each Lender and each L/C Issuer to make its Loans on the Closing Date are subject to satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:

(a) The Administrative Agent’s receipt of the following, each of which shall be originals or telecopies (followed promptly by originals) unless otherwise specified, each properly executed by a Responsible Officer of the signing Loan Party, each dated the Closing Date (or, in the case of certificates of governmental officials, a recent date before the Closing Date) and each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders:

(i) executed counterparts of this Agreement and the Guaranty;

(ii) (A) a Revolving Credit Note executed by the Borrower in favor of each Revolving Credit Lender requesting a Revolving Credit Note, and (B) a Term Note executed by the Borrower in favor of each Term Lender requesting a Term Note;

(iii) a security agreement (together with each other security agreement and security agreement supplement delivered pursuant to Section 6.12 , in each case as amended, the “ Security Agreement ”), duly executed by each Loan Party, together with:

(A) certificates and instruments representing the Collateral consisting of Certificated Securities or Instruments (each such term as defined in the UCC) accompanied by undated stock powers, allonges or instruments of transfer executed in blank;

(B) proper UCC financing statements in form appropriate for filing under the Uniform Commercial Code of all jurisdictions that the Administrative Agent may deem necessary or desirable in order to perfect the Liens created under the Security Agreement, covering the Collateral described in the Security Agreement;

(C) certified copies of UCC, United States Patent and Trademark Office and United States Copyright Office, tax and judgment lien searches, or equivalent reports or searches, each of a recent date listing all effective financing statements, lien notices or comparable documents (together with copies of such financing statements and documents) that name any Loan Party as debtor and that are filed in those state and county jurisdictions in which any Loan Party is organized or maintains its principal place of business and such other searches that the Administrative Agent deems necessary or appropriate, none of which encumber the Collateral covered or intended to be covered by the Collateral Documents (other than Liens permitted under Section 7.01 );

 

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(D) the Deposit Account Control Agreements and the Securities Account Control Agreement, in each case as referred to in the Security Agreement and duly executed by the appropriate parties; and

(E) evidence that all other actions, recordings and filings that the Administrative Agent may deem necessary or desirable in order to perfect or protect the Liens created under the Security Agreement has been taken (including receipt of duly executed payoff letters, UCC-3 termination statements, evidence and endorsement of insurance policies and landlords’ and bailees’ waiver and consent agreements);

(iv) a Copyright Security Agreement, Patent Security Agreement and Trademark Security Agreement (as each such term is defined in Security Agreement and to the extent applicable) (together with each other intellectual property security agreement delivered pursuant to Section 6.12 , in each case as amended, the “ Intellectual Property Security Agreements ” and each, individually, an “ Intellectual Property Security Agreement ”), duly executed by each Loan Party, together with evidence that all action that the Administrative Agent may deem necessary or desirable in order to perfect the Liens created under the Intellectual Property Security Agreement has been taken;

(v) such resolutions or other action, incumbency certificates and/or other certificates of Responsible Officers of each Loan Party as the Administrative Agent may require evidencing the identity, authority and capacity of each Responsible Officer thereof authorized to act as a Responsible Officer in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party or is to be a party;

(vi) such documents and certifications as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require to evidence that each Loan Party is duly organized or formed, and that the Borrower and each other Loan Party is validly existing, in good standing and qualified to engage in business in each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(vii) a favorable opinion of (A) Husch Blackwell LLP, counsel to the Loan Parties, and (B) appropriate local counsel to the Loan Parties (which counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), in each case addressed to the Administrative Agent, each L/C Issuer and each Lender, as to such matters concerning the Loan Parties and the Loan Documents as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request;

(viii) a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower (A) certifying that (1) each of the representations and warranties contained in Article V hereof, in each other Loan Document and in any document furnished at any time under or

 

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in connection herewith or therewith, shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, if any such representation or warranty is by its terms qualified by concepts of materiality or reference to Material Adverse Effect, such representation or warranty shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of the Closing Date; provided that, in the case of the Company and its Subsidiaries, the only such representations and warranties the accuracy of which shall be a condition to the availability of the Loans on the Closing Date shall be the Specified Representations; (2) each of the Specified Purchase Agreement Representations shall be true and correct to the extent provided in, and subject to, Section 7.02(a) of the Closing Date Acquisition Agreement; and (3) since May 31, 2015, there shall not have been any Company Material Adverse Effect, nor shall any event or events have occurred that, individually or in the aggregate, with or without the lapse of time, would reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect and (B) either (1) attaching copies of all consents, licenses and approvals required in connection with the consummation by such Loan Party of the Transaction and the execution, delivery and performance by such Loan Party and the validity against such Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and such consents, licenses and approvals shall be in full force and effect, or (2) stating that no such consents, licenses or approvals are so required;

(ix) unaudited consolidated balance sheets and related consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2015 and each fiscal quarter ended after June 30, 2015 and at least 45 days prior to the Closing Date (if any) of (A) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis (collectively, the “ Borrower Interim Financial Statements ”) and (B) the Company and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis (the “ Company Interim Financial Statements ”) and the Audited Financial Statements;

(x) a pro forma consolidated balance sheet as of the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2015 and related pro forma consolidated statements of income and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of and for the most recent four fiscal quarter period ended June 30, 2015, prepared (after giving effect to the Transactions and the incurrence and repayment of Indebtedness related thereto) as if all of the Transactions occurring on the Closing Date had occurred as of the last day of such four-quarter period (in the case of such balance sheet) or at the beginning of such period (in the case of such other financial statements), in each case calculated in accordance with GAAP and Regulation S-X of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “ Borrower Pro Forma Financial Statements ”);

(xi) the then most recent five-year forecasts prepared by management of the Borrower (after giving effect to the Transactions and the incurrence and repayment of Indebtedness related thereto) of consolidated balance sheets and statements of income or operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a quarterly basis for the first year following the Closing Date and on an annual basis thereafter;

(xii) a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower attesting (A) to the Solvency of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis (after giving effect to the Transactions and the incurrence and repayment of Indebtedness related thereto) and

 

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(B) that the Borrower Pro Forma Financial Statements and forecasts required under this Section 4.01(a) accurately present the pro forma financial position of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP and Regulation S-X of the Securities Act of 1933 (and in any event after giving effect to the Transactions and the incurrence and repayment of Indebtedness related thereto);

(xiii) evidence (including customary payoff letters) that all Existing Indebtedness has been, or concurrently with the funding of the Loans will be, repaid in full, all commitments thereunder have been, or concurrently with the funding of the Loans will be, terminated, and all Liens securing obligations thereunder have been, or substantially concurrently with the funding of the Loans will be, released;

(xiv) if the Borrower selects the Eurodollar Rate for the Borrowing on the Closing Date, a Funding Indemnity Letter;

(xv) a Committed Loan Notice in accordance with the requirements hereof; and

(xvi) an executed funds flow statement with respect to all Loans to be advanced on the Closing Date and all other Transactions to occur on the Closing Date.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this clause (a), to the extent that any security interests in any Collateral or any deliverable related to the perfection of a security interest in any Collateral (other than (1) grants of security interests in Collateral subject to the Uniform Commercial Code (and the equivalent law or statute in the relevant foreign jurisdictions) that may be perfected by the filing of Uniform Commercial Code financing statements (and the equivalents thereof in any relevant foreign jurisdiction), (2) the delivery of stock certificates (or the equivalent thereof) evidencing certificated stock (or other Equity Interests) that is part of the Collateral and (3) the filing of Intellectual Property Security Agreements with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office, as applicable) is not or cannot be perfected on the Closing Date after the Borrower’s use of commercially reasonable efforts to do so, the perfection of security interests therein shall not constitute a condition precedent to the availability of the Loans on the Closing Date, but shall be required to be completed after the Closing Date pursuant to Section 6.17 .

(b) The Borrower and each of the other Loan Parties shall have provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders the documentation and other information requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date in order to comply with requirements of the PATRIOT Act, applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations;

(c) The Borrower shall have paid (i) all fees required to be paid to the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers on or before the Closing Date (including, without limitation, all fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent (directly to such counsel if requested by the Administrative Agent), plus such additional amounts of such fees, charges and disbursements as shall constitute its reasonable estimate of such fees, charges and disbursements

 

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incurred or to be incurred by it through the closing proceedings ( provided that such estimate shall not thereafter preclude a final settling of accounts between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent) and (ii) all fees required to be paid to the Lenders on or before the Closing Date;

(d) (i) The Related Documents shall each be in full force and effect and the Arrangers shall have received a true, correct and fully executed copy of each of the Related Documents (certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower to be true, correct and complete);

(ii) The Closing Date Acquisition shall have been consummated in accordance with the terms of the Closing Date Acquisition Agreement (without giving effect to any amendment, modification, consent or waiver (including, without limitation, any updates to the exhibits, annexes and schedules thereto) that is materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders (in their capacity as such), either individually or in the aggregate, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) and in compliance with applicable Laws and regulatory and required third party approvals;

(e) Each of the representations and warranties contained in Article V hereof, in each other Loan Document and in any other document furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith, shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, if any such representation or warranty is by its terms qualified by concepts of materiality or reference to Material Adverse Effect, such representation or warranty shall be true and correct in all respects); provided that, in the case of the Company and its Subsidiaries, the only such representations and warranties the accuracy of which shall be a condition to the availability of the Loans on the Closing Date shall be the Specified Representations;

(f) Each of the Specified Closing Date Acquisition Agreement Representations shall be true and correct;

(g) Since May 31, 2015, there shall not have been any Company Material Adverse Effect, nor shall any event or events have occurred that, individually or in the aggregate, with or without the lapse of time, would reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect; and

(h) A detailed calculation, in form satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, of the Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio and Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio, in each case, on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to the Transactions.

Without limiting the generality of the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 9.03 , for purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 4.01 , each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Closing Date specifying its objection thereto.

 

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4.02 Conditions to All Credit Extensions . The obligation of each Lender to honor any Request for Credit Extension (other than a Committed Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Loans to the other Type, or a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans) is subject to the following conditions precedent:

(a) Except with respect to Credit Extensions on the Closing Date, the representations and warranties of the Borrower and each other Loan Party contained in Article V or any other Loan Document, or which are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith, shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, with respect to representations and warranties modified by a materiality or Material Adverse Effect standard, in all respects) on and as of the date of such Credit Extension, 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 (or, with respect to representations and warranties modified by a materiality or Material Adverse Effect standard, in all respects) as of such earlier date, and except that for purposes of this Section 4.02 , the representations and warranties contained in clauses (a)  and (b)  of Section 5.05 shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to clauses (a)  and (b) , respectively, of Section 6.01 .

(b) No Default shall exist, or would result from such proposed Credit Extension or from the application of the proceeds thereof.

(c) The Administrative Agent and, if applicable, the L/C Issuers or the Swing Line Lender shall have received a Request for Credit Extension in accordance with the requirements hereof.

Each Request for Credit Extension (other than a Committed Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Loans to the other Type or a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans) submitted by the Borrower shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty that the conditions specified in Sections 4.02(a) and (b)  have been satisfied on and as of the date of the applicable Credit Extension.

ARTICLE V

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

The Borrower represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuers and the Lenders that:

5.01 Corporate Existence; Subsidiaries; Foreign Qualification . Each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries is duly incorporated or organized (as the case may be), validly existing and in good standing (or comparable concept in the applicable jurisdiction) under the laws of its state or jurisdiction of incorporation or organization, and is duly qualified and authorized to do business and is in good standing (or comparable concept in the applicable jurisdiction) as a foreign entity in the jurisdictions set forth opposite its name on Schedule 5.01 hereto, which are all of the states or jurisdictions where the character of its property or its business activities makes such qualification necessary, except where a failure to so qualify, either individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each Foreign Subsidiary is validly existing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization. Schedule 5.01 hereto sets forth, as of the Closing Date, each Subsidiary of each Loan Party (and whether such Subsidiary is an Inactive Subsidiary, Immaterial Subsidiary, Foreign Subsidiary or Loan Party),

 

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its state (or jurisdiction) of formation, its registered office or similar concept if a foreign organization, its relationship to such Loan Party, including the percentage of each class of stock or other Equity Interest owned, directly or indirectly, by a Loan Party, each Person that owns the stock or other Equity Interest of each Loan Party, the location of its chief executive office and its principal place of business. The Borrower, directly or indirectly, owns all of the Equity Interests of each of its Subsidiaries (excluding directors’ qualifying shares and, in the case of Foreign Subsidiaries, other nominal amounts of shares held by a Person other than a Loan Party).

5.02 Corporate Authority . Each Loan Party has the right and power and is duly authorized and empowered to enter into, execute and deliver the Loan Documents to which it is a party and to perform and observe the provisions of the Loan Documents. Each Loan Party has duly executed and delivered the Loan Documents to which it is a party. The Loan Documents to which each Loan Party is a party have been duly authorized and approved by Loan Party’s board of directors or other governing body, as applicable, and are the valid and binding obligations of such Loan Party, enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with their respective terms. The execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents do not conflict with, result in a breach in any of the provisions of, constitute a default under, or result in the creation of a Lien (other than Liens permitted under Section 7.01 hereof) upon any assets or property of any Loan Party under the provisions of, (a) such Loan Party’s Organization Documents, (b) the New Notes Documents, (c) any material agreement to which any Loan Party is a party, (d) any order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority or (e) any Law, except with respect to any conflict, breach, default or violation referred to in clauses (d) and (e) above, solely to the extent that such conflicts, breaches, defaults or violations, either individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect

5.03 Governmental Authorization; Other Consents . Each Loan Party and each of their Subsidiaries:

(a) holds permits, certificates, licenses, orders, registrations, franchises, authorizations, and other approvals from any Governmental Authority necessary for the conduct of its business and is in compliance with all applicable laws relating thereto, except where the failure to do so, either individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect;

(b) is in compliance with all federal, state, local, or foreign applicable statutes, rules, regulations, and orders including, without limitation, those relating to environmental protection, occupational safety and health, and equal employment practices, except where the failure to be in compliance, either individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect;

(c) is not in violation of or in default under any agreement to which it is a party or by which its assets are subject or bound, except with respect to any violation or default that, either individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect; and

(d) is in material compliance with all applicable Bank Secrecy Act (“ BSA ”) and anti-money laundering laws and regulations.

 

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5.04 Litigation and Administrative Proceedings . Except as disclosed on Schedule 5.04 hereto, there are (a) no lawsuits, actions, investigations, examinations or other proceedings pending or threatened against any Loan Party or any of their Subsidiaries, or in respect of which any Loan Party or any of their Subsidiaries may have any liability, in any court or before or by any Governmental Authority, arbitration board or other tribunal, (b) no orders, writs, injunctions, judgments, or decrees of any court or Governmental Authority to which any Loan Party or any of their Subsidiaries is a party or by which the property or assets of any Loan Party or any of their Subsidiaries are bound, and (c) no grievances, disputes, or controversies outstanding with any union or other organization of the employees of any Loan Party or any of their Subsidiaries, or threats of work stoppage, strike, or pending demands for collective bargaining, that, as to (a) through (c) above, if violated or determined adversely, either individually or in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.05 Title to Assets . Each Loan Party and each of their Subsidiaries has good title to and ownership of all material property it purports to own, which property is free and clear of all Liens, except those permitted under Section 7.01 hereof. As of the Closing Date, the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries own the real property listed on Schedule 5.05 hereto.

5.06 Liens and Security Interests . On and after the Closing Date, except for Liens permitted pursuant to Section 7.01 hereof, (a) there is and will be no financing statements or similar notice of Lien outstanding covering any personal property of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof; (b) there is and will be no mortgage or deed or hypothec outstanding covering any real property of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof; and (c) no real or personal property of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof is subject to any Lien of any kind. The Administrative Agent has a valid and enforceable and, subject to the last paragraph of Section 4.01(a) perfected first-priority Lien on the Collateral (subject to the priority of any Liens permitted under Section 7.01 ). No Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof has entered into any contract or agreement (other than a contract or agreement entered into in connection with the purchase or lease of fixed assets that prohibits Liens on such fixed assets) that exists on or after the Closing Date that would prohibit the Administrative Agent or the Lenders from acquiring a Lien on, or a collateral assignment of, any of the property or assets of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof.

5.07 Tax Returns . All federal, state, provincial and local tax returns and other reports required by law to be filed in respect of the income, business, properties and employees of each Loan Party and each of their Subsidiaries have been filed and all taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental charges that are due and payable have been paid, except as otherwise permitted herein. The provision for taxes on the books of each Loan Party and each Subsidiary thereof is adequate for all years not closed by applicable statutes and for the current fiscal year.

5.08 Environmental Laws . Except where non-compliance, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, each Loan Party and each Subsidiary is in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, including, without limitation, all Environmental Laws in all jurisdictions in which any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof owns or operates, or has owned or operated, a facility or site, arranges or has arranged for disposal or treatment of hazardous substances, solid waste or other wastes, accepts or has accepted for transport any hazardous substances, solid waste or other wastes or holds or has held

 

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any interest in real property or otherwise. No material litigation or proceeding arising under, relating to or in connection with any Environmental Law or Environmental Permit is pending or, to the knowledge of each Loan Party and each Subsidiary thereof, threatened, against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, any real property in which any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof holds or has held an interest or any past or present operation of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof. No release, threatened release or disposal of hazardous waste, solid waste or other wastes is occurring, or has occurred (other than those that are currently being remediated in accordance with Environmental Laws), on, under or to any real property in which any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof holds any interest or performs any of its operations, in material violation of or which result in material liability under any Environmental Law. As used in this Section 5.08 , “litigation or proceeding” means any demand, claim, notice, suit, suit in equity, action, administrative action, investigation or inquiry whether brought by any Governmental Authority or private Person, or otherwise.

5.09 Locations . As of the Closing Date, the Loan Parties have places of business or maintain their accounts, inventory and equipment at the locations (including third party locations) set forth on Schedule 5.09 hereto, and each Loan Party’s chief executive office is set forth on Schedule 5.09 hereto. Schedule 5.09 hereto further specifies whether each location, as of the Closing Date, (a) is owned by the Loan Parties, or (b) is leased by a Loan Party from a third party, and, if leased by a Loan Party from a third party, if a landlord’s waiver has been requested. As of the Closing Date, Schedule 5.09 hereto correctly identifies the name and address of each third party location where a material portion of the assets of the Loan Parties are located.

5.10 Continued Business . There exists no actual, pending, or, to each Loan Party’s and each of their Subsidiaries’ knowledge, any threatened termination, cancellation or limitation of, or any modification or change in the business relationship of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof and any customer or supplier, or any group of customers or suppliers, whose purchases or supplies, individually or in the aggregate, are material to the business of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, and there exists no present condition or state of facts or circumstances that would prevent a Loan Party or a Subsidiary from conducting such business or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in substantially the same manner in which it was previously conducted.

5.11 Employee Benefits Plans .

(a) US Employee Benefit Plans . Schedule 5.11 hereto identifies each Plan as of the Closing Date. No ERISA Event has occurred or is expected to occur with respect to a Plan. Full payment has been made of all amounts that the Borrower and each ERISA Affiliate is required, under applicable Laws or under the governing documents, to have paid as a contribution to or a benefit under each Plan. The liability of the Borrower and each ERISA Affiliate with respect to each Plan has been fully funded based upon reasonable and proper actuarial assumptions, has been fully insured, or has been fully reserved for on its financial statements. No changes have occurred or are expected to occur that would cause a material increase in the cost of providing benefits under any Plan. With respect to each Plan that is intended to be qualified under Code Section 401(a), (a) the Plan and any associated trust operationally comply with the applicable requirements of Code Section 401(a); (b) the Plan and any associated trust have been amended to

 

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comply with all such requirements as currently in effect, other than those requirements for which a retroactive amendment can be made within the “remedial amendment period” available under Code Section 401(b) (as extended under Treasury Regulations and other Treasury pronouncements upon which taxpayers may rely); (c) the Plan and any associated trust have received a favorable determination letter or opinion letter from the IRS stating that the Plan qualifies under Code Section 401(a), that the associated trust qualifies under Code Section 501(a) and, if applicable, that any cash or deferred arrangement under the Plan qualifies under Code Section 401(k), unless the Plan was first adopted at a time for which the above-described “remedial amendment period” has not yet expired; (d) the Plan currently satisfies the requirements of Code Section 410(b), subject to any retroactive amendment that may be made within the above-described “remedial amendment period”; and (e) no contribution made to the Plan is subject to an excise tax under Code Section 4972. With respect to any Pension Plan, the “accumulated benefit obligation” of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate with respect to the Pension Plan (as determined in accordance with Statement of Accounting Standards No. 87, “Employers’ Accounting for Pensions”) does not exceed the fair market value of Pension Plan assets. Neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a transaction that could be subject to Section 4069 or Section 4212(c) of ERISA. Except as could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (i) each Plan is in compliance with applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code, and other applicable Laws, (ii) there are no pending or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental Authority, with respect to any Plan and (iii) there has been no prohibited transaction or violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Plan.

(b) Foreign Pension Plan and Benefit Plans . As of the Closing Date, Schedule 5.11 hereto lists all Foreign Benefit Plans and Foreign Pension Plans currently maintained or contributed to by a Loan Party, any Subsidiary thereof or any Foreign Subsidiaries. The Foreign Pension Plans are duly registered under all applicable Laws which require registration and are approved for tax purposes by the relevant tax authorities in the jurisdiction in which such Foreign Pension Plans are registered. Each Loan Party, Subsidiary thereof and any appropriate Foreign Subsidiaries have complied with and performed all of its obligations under and in respect of the Foreign Pension Plans and Foreign Benefit Plans under the terms thereof, any funding agreements and all applicable laws (including any fiduciary, funding, investment and administration obligations) except to the extent as, either individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. All employer and employee payments, contributions or premiums to be remitted, paid to or in respect of each Foreign Pension Plan or Foreign Benefit Plan have been paid in a timely fashion in accordance with the terms thereof, any funding agreement and all applicable laws except to the extent the failure to do so, either individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There are no outstanding actions or suits concerning the assets of the Foreign Pension Plans or the Foreign Benefit Plans. Each of the Foreign Pension Plans is fully funded on an ongoing basis (using actuarial methods and assumptions as of the date of the valuations last filed with the applicable Governmental Authorities and that are consistent with generally accepted actuarial principles).

5.12 Consents or Approvals . No consent, approval or authorization of, or filing, registration or qualification with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is required to be obtained or completed by any Loan Party in connection with the execution, delivery or performance of any of the Loan Documents, that has not already been obtained or completed.

 

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5.13 Solvency . The Borrower has received consideration that is the reasonable equivalent value of the obligations and liabilities that the Borrower has incurred to Administrative Agent and the Lenders. Each Loan Party is, individually and collectively with its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, Solvent.

5.14 Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect . The Audited Financial Statements, the Borrower Interim Financial Statements and the Company Interim Financial Statements, furnished to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, are true and complete, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, and fairly present the financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and the Company and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, as of the dates of such financial statements and the results of their operations for the periods then ending. Since the dates of such Borrower Interim Financial Statements, there has been no material adverse change in the Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiary’s financial condition, properties or business or any change in any Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiary’s accounting procedures. Since the dates of such Company Interim Financial Statements, there has been no material adverse change in the Company’s or any of its Subsidiary’s financial condition, properties or business or any change in any Company’s or any of its Subsidiary’s accounting procedures. Since December 31, 2014, there has been no event or circumstance either individually or in the aggregate that has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.15 Regulations . No Loan Party or Subsidiary thereof is engaged principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any “margin stock” (within the meaning of Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States). Neither the granting of the Loans (or any conversion thereof) nor the use of the proceeds of the Loans will violate, or be inconsistent with, the provisions of Regulation T, U or X or any other Regulation of such Board of Governors. Following the application of the proceeds of the Loans, not more than 25% of the value of the assets (either of the Borrower only or of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis) subject to the provisions of Section 7.01 , Section 7.05 or subject to any restriction contained in any agreement or instrument between the Borrower and any Lender or Affiliate of a Lender relating to Indebtedness within the scope of Section 8.01(e) will be margin stock.

5.16 Material Agreements . Except as disclosed on Schedule 5.16 hereto, as of the Closing Date, no Loan Party or Subsidiary thereof is a party to any (a) debt instrument (excluding the Loan Documents and the New Notes Documents); (b) lease (capital, operating or otherwise), whether as lessee or lessor thereunder; (c) contract, commitment, agreement, or other arrangement involving the purchase or sale of any inventory by it, or the license of any right to or by it; (d) contract, commitment, agreement, or other arrangement with any of its “Affiliates” (as such term is defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) other than a Loan Party or a Subsidiary thereof; (e) management or employment contract or contract for personal services with any of its Affiliates that is not otherwise terminable at will or on less than ninety (90) days’ notice without liability; (f) collective bargaining agreement; or (g) other contract, agreement, understanding, or arrangement with a third party; that, as to subsections (a) through (g), above, if violated, breached, or terminated for any reason, either individually or in the aggregate, would have or would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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5.17 Intellectual Property . Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary thereof owns, or has the right to use, all of the material patents, patent applications, industrial designs, designs, trademarks, service marks, copyrights , trade secrets, software and rights with respect to the foregoing necessary for the conduct of its business without any known conflict with the rights of others. Schedule 5.17 hereto sets forth all patents, trademarks, registered copyrights, service marks, and material license agreements owned by each Loan Party or Subsidiary or to which a Loan Party or Subsidiary is a party.

5.18 Insurance . Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary thereof maintains with financially sound and reputable insurers (or is self-insured) insurance with coverage and limits as required by Law and as is customary with Persons engaged in the same businesses as the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries. Schedule 5.18 hereto sets forth all insurance carried by the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries on the Closing Date, setting forth in detail the amount and type of such insurance.

5.19 Casualty, Etc . Neither the businesses nor the properties of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof are affected by any fire, explosion, accident, strike, lockout or other labor dispute, drought, storm, hail, earthquake, embargo, act of God or of the public enemy or other casualty (whether or not covered by insurance), condemnation or eminent domain proceeding that, either individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.20 Labor Matters . There are no collective bargaining agreements or Multiemployer Plans covering the employees of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date and neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary has suffered any strikes, walkouts, work stoppages or other material labor difficulty within the last five years.

5.21 OFAC; Anti-Money Laundering; FCPA .

(a) No Loan Party, nor any of their Subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, any Related Party, (i) is currently the subject of any Sanctions, (ii) is located, organized or residing in any Designated Jurisdiction or (iii) is or has been (within the previous five (5) years) engaged in any transaction with any Person who is now or was then the subject of Sanctions or who is located, organized or residing in any Designated Jurisdiction. No Loan or Letter of Credit, nor the proceeds from any Loan or Letter of Credit, has been used, directly or indirectly, to lend, contribute, provide or has otherwise made available to fund any activity or business in any Designated Jurisdiction or to fund any activity or business of any Person located, organized or residing in any Designated Jurisdiction or who is the subject of any Sanctions, or in any other manner that will result in any violation by any Person (including any Lender, the Arrangers, the Administrative Agent, any L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender) of Sanctions.

(b) To the Borrower’s knowledge after making due inquiry, no Loan Party or Subsidiary (i) is under investigation by any Governmental Authority for, or has been charged with, or convicted of, money laundering or terrorist-related activities under any applicable Laws,

 

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including, without limitation, the PATRIOT Act (collectively, “ AML / Terrorist Laws ”), (ii) has been assessed civil penalties under any AML / Terrorist Laws or (iii) has had any of its funds seized or forfeited in an action under any AML / Terrorist Laws. Each Loan Party has taken reasonable measures appropriate to the circumstances (in any event as required by applicable Laws) to seek to ensure that such Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all AML / Terrorist Laws applicable to it.

(c) None of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any director, officer, agent, employee, Affiliate of, or other person associated with or acting on behalf of the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries) has (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity; (ii) made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee from corporate funds; (iii) violated or is in violation of any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977; or (iv) made any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment.

5.22 Certain Treasury Regulation Matters . The Borrower does not intend to treat the Loans and related transactions as being a “reportable” transaction (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation 1.6011-4). The Borrower acknowledges that the Administrative Agent and one or more of the Lenders may treat its Loans as part of a transaction that is subject to Treasury Regulation Section 301.6112-1 to the extent that the Borrower’s application of the proceeds of the Loans requires the same and the Administrative Agent and such Lender or Lenders, as applicable, may, in connection therewith, maintain such lists and other records as they may determine is required by such Treasury Regulation.

5.23 Deposit Accounts; Securities Accounts . Schedule 5.23 hereto lists all banks and other financial institutions at which any Loan Party maintains deposit, securities or other accounts as of the Closing Date, and Schedule 5.23 hereto correctly identifies the name, address and telephone number of each depository, the name in which the account is held, a description of the purpose of the account, and the complete account number therefor.

5.24 Accurate and Complete Statements . No report, financial statement, certificate or other information furnished by or on behalf of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder or any other Loan Document (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished), when taken as a whole, contains any material misstatement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein (when taken as a whole), in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading; provided that (a) no representation is made with respect to general economic or industry information and (b) with respect to projected and pro forma financial information, the Borrower represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions reasonably believed by the Borrower to be reasonable at the time of preparation; it being understood that such projections may vary from actual results and that such variances may be material.

5.25 [Reserved] .

 

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5.26 Investment Company . No Loan Party or Subsidiary thereof is an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

5.27 Defaults . No Default exists hereunder, nor will any begin to exist immediately after the execution and delivery hereof.

5.28 Senior Debt Status . The Obligations (a) rank at least pari passu in right of payment with all material senior Indebtedness of Borrower and its Subsidiaries and (b) are designated as “Senior Indebtedness”, “Designated Senior Debt” or such similar term under all instruments and documents relating to all Subordinated Indebtedness and all senior unsecured Indebtedness of such Person.

ARTICLE VI

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

So long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, any Loan or other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied (other than contingent indemnification obligations not then due) or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding, the Borrower shall, and shall (except in the case of the covenants set forth in Sections 6.01 , 6.02 , 6.03 and 6.11 ) cause each Subsidiary to:

6.01 Financial Statements . Deliver to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, in form and detail satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders:

(a) within ninety-five (95) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower (commencing with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015), an annual audit report of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for that year prepared on a consolidated basis, in accordance with GAAP, and certified by an unqualified opinion of an independent public accountant satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, which report shall include balance sheets and statements of income (loss), stockholders’ equity and cash-flow for that period;

(b) within fifty (50) days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarter periods of each fiscal year of the Borrower (commencing with the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2015), balance sheets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such period and statements of income (loss), stockholders’ equity and cash flow for the quarter and fiscal year to date periods, setting forth in comparative form the figures for the corresponding fiscal quarter of the previous fiscal year and the corresponding portion of the previous fiscal year, all prepared on a consolidated basis, in accordance with GAAP, and certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower; and

(c) within forty-five (45) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, an annual business plan and budget of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, including forecasts prepared by management of the Borrower, of consolidated balance sheets and statements of income or operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a quarterly basis for the immediately following fiscal year (including the fiscal year in which the Maturity Date occurs).

 

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As to any information contained in materials furnished pursuant to Section 6.02(d) , the Borrower shall not be separately required to furnish such information under Section 6.01(a) or (b)  above, but the foregoing shall not be in derogation of the obligation of the Borrower to furnish the information and materials described in Sections 6.01(a) and (b)  above at the times specified therein.

6.02 Certificates; Other Information . Deliver to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, in form and detail satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders:

(a) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Section 6.01(a) (commencing with the delivery of the financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015), a certificate of its independent certified public accountants certifying such financial statements;

(b) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 6.01(a) and (b)  (commencing with the delivery of the financial statements for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2015), a duly completed Compliance Certificate signed by a Financial Officer of the Borrower (which delivery may, unless the Administrative Agent, or a Lender requests executed originals, be by electronic communication including fax or email and shall be deemed to be an original authentic counterpart thereof for all purposes), which Compliance Certificate shall (x) provide that no Default exists or, if a Default exists, specifying the nature and extent thereof and (y) set forth (i) any change in the identity of any of the Immaterial Subsidiaries or Inactive Subsidiaries during such period and (ii) a detailed calculation of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio, the Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio, the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio and the amount available for Investments and Restricted Payments under Sections 7.03(a)(xiv) and 7.06(d), in each case as of the last day of such period, and solely with respect to the delivery concurrently with the financial statements referred to in Section 6.01(a) , a calculation of Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year);

(c) promptly after the same are available, copies of any detailed audit reports or management letters submitted to the board of directors (or the audit committee of the board of directors) of the Borrower by independent accountants in connection with any audit of the Borrower or any Subsidiary;

(d) promptly after the same are available, copies of all notices, reports, definitive proxy or other statements and other documents (other than any routine ministerial notices, reports or other documents) sent by the Borrower to its shareholders, to the holders of any of its debentures or bonds or the trustee of any indenture securing the same or pursuant to which they are issued, or sent by the Borrower (in final form) to any securities exchange or over the counter authority or system, or to the SEC or any similar federal agency having regulatory jurisdiction over the issuance of the Borrower’s securities, including, without limitation, a transcript and summary (in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) of any earnings calls or similar calls with respect to the Borrower;

(e) promptly after the furnishing thereof, copies of any statement or report (other than any routine ministerial statements or reports) furnished to any holder of debt securities, including, without limitation, any holders of Indebtedness governed by any Material

 

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Indebtedness Agreement, of any Loan Party or of any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of any indenture, loan or credit or similar agreement and not otherwise required to be furnished to the Lenders pursuant to Section 6.01 or any other clause of this Section 6.02 ;

(f) within 30 days of the written request of the Administrative Agent, a report summarizing the insurance coverage (specifying type, amount and carrier) in effect for each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries and containing such additional information as the Administrative Agent, or any Lender through the Administrative Agent, may reasonably specify;

(g) promptly, and in any event within five Business Days after receipt thereof by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, copies of each notice or other correspondence received from the SEC (or comparable agency in any applicable non-U.S. jurisdiction) concerning any investigation or possible investigation or other material inquiry by such agency regarding financial or other operational results of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof;

(h) not later than five Business Days after receipt thereof by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, copies of all material notices, requests and other documents (including amendments, waivers and other modifications) so received under or pursuant to any Related Document, any New Notes Document or any Material Indebtedness Agreement and, from time to time upon request by the Administrative Agent, such information and reports regarding any Related Document, any New Notes Document or any Material Indebtedness Agreement as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request;

(i) promptly after the assertion or occurrence thereof, notice of any action or proceeding against or of any noncompliance by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries under or with any Environmental Law or Environmental Permit that would (i) either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) cause any property described in the Mortgages to be subject to any restrictions on ownership, occupancy, use or transferability under any Environmental Law (other than Liens permitted pursuant to Section 7.01) ;

(j) as soon as available, but in any event within 30 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, (i) a report supplementing Schedules 5.05 and Section 5.09 , including an identification of all owned and leased real property disposed of by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof during such fiscal year, a list and description (including the street address, county or other relevant jurisdiction, state, record owner, book value thereof and, in the case of leases of property, lessor, lessee, expiration date and annual rental cost thereof) of all real property acquired or leased during such fiscal year and a description of such other changes in the information included in such Schedules as may be necessary for such Schedules to be accurate and complete and (ii) a report supplementing Schedules 5.01 and 5.17 containing a description of all changes in the information included in such Schedules as may be necessary for such Schedules to be accurate and complete, each such report to be signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and to be in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

(k) promptly after any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof obtains knowledge that any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof or any Person which owns, directly or indirectly, any Equity Interest of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, or any other holder at any time of

 

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any direct or indirect equitable, legal or beneficial interest therein is in violation or breach of any of Sections 6.08(b) or 7.10 , such Loan Party or Subsidiary will deliver reasonably prompt notice to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of such violation. Upon the request of any Lender, such Loan Party or Subsidiary, as applicable, will provide any information such Lender believes is reasonably necessary to be delivered to comply with the PATRIOT Act;

(l) concurrently with the delivery thereof to the New Notes Trustee or any holder of the New Notes, any other notices or information provided to the New Notes Trustee or the holders of the New Notes under the New Notes Documents not otherwise provided to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders;

(m) within ten days of the written request of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, such other information about the financial condition, properties and operations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as may from time to time be reasonably requested, which information shall be submitted in form and detail satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as case may be, in question; and

(n) concurrently with the making of an Investment pursuant to Section 7.03(a)(xiv) or a Restricted Payment pursuant to Section 7.06(d) , as the case may be, a certificate executed by a Financial Officer of the Borrower in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent setting forth (i) the Cumulative Retained Excess Cash Flow Amount, the cumulative initial amount of Investments made to date pursuant to Section 7.03(a)(xiv) , the cumulative amount of Restricted Payments made to date pursuant to Section 7.06(d) and the remaining amount available for Investments and Restricted Payments under Sections 7.03(a)(xiv) and 7.06(d) and (ii) the Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio (calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Investment or Restricted Payment and any Indebtedness incurred or repaid in connection therewith).

Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b)  or Section 6.02(d) (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Borrower’s website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 10.02 ; or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Borrower’s behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent); provided that the Borrower shall deliver paper copies of such documents to the Administrative Agent or any Lender upon its request to the Borrower to deliver such paper copies until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is given by the Administrative Agent or such Lender. The Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery of or to maintain paper copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by the Borrower with any such request by a Lender for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery to it or maintaining its copies of such documents.

 

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The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or one or more of the Arrangers will make available to the Lenders and the L/C Issuers materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, “ Borrower Materials ”) by posting the Borrower Materials on IntraLinks, SyndTrak or another similar electronic system (the “ Platform ”) and (b) certain of the Lenders (each, a “Public Lender”) may have personnel who do not wish to receive material non-public information (for purposes of the United States Federal and state securities laws) with respect to the Borrower or its 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 that are to be made available to Public Lenders shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, means 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 Arrangers, the L/C Issuers 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 Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States federal and state securities laws (provided, however, that to the extent such Borrower Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 10.07 ); (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 and the Arrangers shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated “Public Side Information.”

6.03 Notices . Promptly, after a Responsible Officer of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has knowledge thereof, notify the Administrative Agent and each Lender:

(a) whenever a Default may occur hereunder;

(b) of any matter that has resulted, or, either individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to result, in a Material Adverse Effect;

(c) of the occurrence of any ERISA Event;

(d) of any material change in accounting policies or financial reporting practices by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof;

(e) of the (i) occurrence of any Disposition of property or assets for which the Borrower is required to make a mandatory prepayment pursuant to Section 2.05(b)(ii) , (ii) incurrence or issuance of any Indebtedness for which the Borrower is required to make a mandatory prepayment pursuant to Section 2.05(b)(iii) , and (iii) receipt of any Extraordinary Receipt for which the Borrower is required to make a mandatory prepayment pursuant to Section 2.05(b)(iv) ;

 

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(f) of the occurrence of any default or event of default or any event that requires the Borrower to redeem or otherwise acquire, or to make any offer to purchase, any New Notes, in each case, under or with respect to the New Notes or any other New Notes Document); and

(g) of any announcement by Moody’s or S&P of any change or possible change in any Debt Rating.

Each notice pursuant to Section 6.03 (other than Section 6.03(g) ) shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action the Borrower has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto. Each notice pursuant to Section 6.03(a) shall describe with particularity any and all provisions of this Agreement and any other Loan Document that have been breached. Each notice pursuant to Section 6.03(f) shall describe with particularity any and all provisions of the New Notes Documents that have been breached.

6.04 Payment of Taxes and Other Obligations . Pay in full (a) prior in each case to the date when penalties would attach, all material Taxes, assessments and governmental charges and levies (except only those so long as and to the extent that the same shall be contested in good faith by appropriate and timely proceedings and for which adequate provisions have been established in accordance with GAAP) for which it may be or become liable or to which any or all of its properties may be or become subject; (b) in the case of the Borrower and Domestic Subsidiaries, all of its material wage obligations to its employees in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (29 U.S.C. §§ 206-207) or any comparable provisions, and, in the case of the Foreign Subsidiaries, those obligations under foreign laws with respect to employee source deductions, obligations and employer obligations to its employees; and (c) except where failure to pay such obligations, either individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, all of its other obligations calling for the payment of money (except only those so long as and to the extent that the same shall be contested in good faith and for which adequate provisions have been established in accordance with GAAP) before such payment becomes overdue.

6.05 Preservation of Existence, Etc . Other than any Inactive Subsidiary or Immaterial Subsidiary (a) preserve, renew and maintain in full force and effect its legal existence and good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization except in a transaction permitted by Section 7.04 or 7.05 ; (b) take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges, permits, licenses and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except to the extent that failure to do so, either individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (c) preserve or renew all of its registered patents, trademarks, trade names and service marks, the non-preservation of which, either individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

6.06 Maintenance of Properties . Except where the failure to do so, either individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (a) maintain, preserve and protect all of its material properties and equipment necessary in the operation of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, (b) make all necessary repairs thereto and renewals and replacements thereof and (c) use the standard of care typical in the industry in the operation and maintenance of its facilities.

 

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6.07 Maintenance of Insurance .

(a) Maintain insurance upon its inventory, equipment and other personal and real property in such form, written by such companies, in such amounts, for such periods, and against such risks as customarily insured against by Persons engaged in the same or similar business and as required by applicable Laws and the Collateral Documents, with provisions for, with respect to Loan Parties, payment of all losses thereunder to the Administrative Agent and such Loan Parties as their interests may appear (with lender’s loss payable, mortgagee, and additional insured endorsements, as appropriate, in favor of the Administrative Agent). Any such policies of insurance shall provide for no fewer than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice of cancellation to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders. The Administrative Agent is hereby authorized to act as attorney-in-fact for the Loan Parties in (after the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default) obtaining, adjusting, settling and canceling such insurance and indorsing any drafts. Within ten (10) Business Days of the Administrative Agent’s written request, the Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent such information about the insurance of the Loan Parties and the Subsidiaries thereof (including, without limitation, copies of insurance policies of the Loan Parties and the Subsidiaries) as the Administrative Agent may from time to time reasonably request, which information shall be prepared in form and detail satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and certified by a Responsible Officer.

(b) If any portion of any Mortgaged Property is at any time located in an area identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (or any successor agency) as a Special Flood Hazard Area with respect to which flood insurance has been made available under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (as now or hereafter in effect or successor act thereto), then the Borrower shall, or shall cause each Loan Party to (i) maintain, or cause to be maintained, with a financially sound and reputable insurer, flood insurance in an amount and otherwise sufficient to comply with all applicable rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to applicable flood insurance Laws and (ii) deliver to the Administrative Agent evidence of such compliance in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

6.08 Compliance with Laws .

(a) Comply in all material respects with the requirements of all Laws (including, without limitation, ERISA) and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its business or property, except in such instances in which (a) such requirement of Law or order, writ, injunction or decree is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted; or (b) the failure to comply therewith, either individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Conduct its businesses in compliance with applicable Anti-Corruption Laws and maintain policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.

 

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6.09 Books and Records .

(a) Maintain proper books of record and account, in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP consistently applied shall be made of all financial transactions and matters involving the assets and business of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be.

(b) Maintain such books of record and account in material conformity with all applicable requirements of any Governmental Authority having regulatory jurisdiction over the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be.

6.10 Inspection Rights . At any time during normal business hours, allow the Administrative Agent and the Lenders by or through any of the Administrative Agent’s officers, agents, employees, attorneys or accountants to (a) examine, inspect and make extracts from any Loan Party’s or any Subsidiary’s books, corporate, financial and operating records and other records, including, without limitation, the tax returns of such Loan Party or such Subsidiary and make copies thereof or abstracts therefrom, and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with its directors, officers, and independent public accountants, (b) arrange for verification of any Loan Party’s or any Subsidiary’s accounts, under reasonable procedures, directly with account debtors or by other methods, and (iii) examine and inspect any Loan Party’s or Subsidiary’s properties, inventory and equipment, wherever located, in each case, at the expense of the Borrower and upon reasonable advance notice to such Loan Party or Subsidiary; provided , however , that (i) if an Event of Default does not exist, such examinations and inspections shall be limited to not more than two times per any calendar year and (ii) if an Event of Default exists, the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or any of their respective representatives or independent contractors) may do any of the foregoing at the expense of the Borrower at any time during normal business hours and without advance notice.

6.11 Use of Proceeds . Use the proceeds of the Loans solely for (a) the funding of the Closing Date Acquisition, (b) the refinancing of Existing Indebtedness, (c) the payment of fees, commissions and expenses in connection with the Transactions (including the payment of make whole premiums in connection with the payment of the Existing Note Purchase Agreement Indebtedness) and (d) to the extent any portion of the Loans is remaining after giving effect to the items specified in clauses (a) through (c) of this Section 6.11 , working capital and other general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

6.12 Covenant to Guarantee Obligations and Give Security .

(a) Guaranties and Security Documents . Each Domestic Subsidiary (other than any Inactive Subsidiary or an Immaterial Subsidiary) created, acquired or held subsequent to the Closing Date, and each Domestic Subsidiary that at any time ceases to be an Inactive Subsidiary or an Immaterial Subsidiary (including by virtue of clause (g) of this Section 6.12 ), shall within thirty (30) days (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent shall approve in its sole discretion) after such creation, acquisition, holding or cessation execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a Guaranty (or guaranty supplement) and the appropriate Collateral Documents, such agreements to be in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent, along with any such other supporting documentation, corporate governance and authorization documents, and an opinion of counsel as may be deemed necessary or advisable by the Administrative Agent.

 

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(b) Pledge of Equity Interests . With respect to the creation or acquisition of a Subsidiary, the appropriate Loan Party shall within thirty (30) days (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent shall approve in its sole discretion) after such creation or acquisition execute a Security Agreement (or a Security Joinder Agreement) and, in connection therewith, pledge all of its Equity Interests in such Subsidiary to the Administrative Agent as security for the Obligations; provided that (i) no Foreign Subsidiary shall be required to pledge any of its Equity Interests in any other Foreign Subsidiary, (ii) the Borrower or any Domestic Subsidiary shall not be required to pledge more than sixty-five percent (65%) of the voting Equity Interests of any first-tier Foreign Subsidiary, and (iii) such pledge shall be legally available and shall not result in materially adverse tax consequences on such Loan Party. The Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the share certificates (or other evidence of equity) evidencing any of the Equity Interests pledged pursuant to this Section 6.12(b) if such Equity Interests are certificated or so evidenced.

(c) Perfection or Registration of Interest in Foreign Equity Interests . With respect to any foreign Equity Interests pledged to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower or any Domestic Subsidiary, on or after the Closing Date, the Administrative Agent shall at all times, in the reasonable discretion of the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders, have the right to require the perfection, at Borrowers’ cost, payable upon request therefor (including, without limitation, any foreign counsel, or foreign notary, filing, registration or similar, fees, costs or expenses), of the security interest in such Equity Interests in the respective foreign jurisdiction.

(d) Pledged Intercompany Notes . With respect to the creation or acquisition by a Loan Party of a Pledged Intercompany Note, the appropriate Loan Party shall pledge to the Administrative Agent, as security for the Obligations, such Pledged Intercompany Note. Such Loan Party shall promptly deliver to the Administrative Agent such Pledged Intercompany Note and an accompanying allonge.

(e) Collateral Generally . The Borrower shall:

(i) promptly furnish to the Administrative Agent or any Lender upon request (x) additional statements and information with respect to the Collateral, and all writings and information relating to or evidencing any of the Borrower’s or any Subsidiary’s accounts (including, without limitation, computer printouts or typewritten reports listing the mailing addresses of all present account debtors), and (y) any other writings and information as the Administrative Agent or such Lender may reasonably request;

(ii) promptly notify the Administrative Agent in writing upon the creation of any accounts with respect to which the account debtor is the United States or any other Governmental Authority, or any business that is located in a foreign country;

(iii) promptly notify the Administrative Agent in writing upon the creation by any Loan Party of a deposit account or securities account not listed on Schedule 5.23 hereto and, if such deposit account is owned by the Borrower or another Loan Party and is not an Excluded Account, promptly provide for the execution of a Deposit Account Control Agreement or Securities Account Control Agreement, as applicable, with respect thereto, if required by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders;

 

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(iv) promptly notify the Administrative Agent in writing whenever a material amount of assets of a Loan Party is located at a location of a third party (other than another Loan Party) that is not listed on Schedule 5.09 hereto and use commercially reasonable efforts to cause to be executed any bailee’s waiver, processor’s waiver, consignee’s waiver or similar document or notice that may be required by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders;

(v) promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in writing of any information that the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has or may receive with respect to the Collateral that would reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the value thereof or the rights of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect thereto;

(vi) promptly deliver to the Administrative Agent, to hold as security for the Obligations, within ten Business Days after the written request of the Administrative Agent, all certificated investment property owned by a Loan Party, in suitable form for transfer by delivery, or accompanied by duly executed instruments of transfer or assignment in blank, all in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, or in the event such investment property is in the possession of a securities intermediary or credited to a securities account (other than an Excluded Account), execute with the related securities intermediary an investment property control agreement over such securities account in favor of the Administrative Agent in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

(vii) promptly provide to the Administrative Agent a list of any patents, trademarks or copyrights that have been federally registered by the Borrower or any other Loan Party since the last list so delivered, and provide for the execution of an appropriate Intellectual Property Security Agreement; and

(viii) upon the reasonable request of the Administrative Agent, promptly take such action and promptly make, execute, and deliver all such additional and further items, deeds, assurances, instruments and any other writings as the Administrative Agent may from time to time deem necessary or appropriate, including, without limitation, chattel paper, to carry into effect the intention of this Agreement, or so as to completely vest in and ensure to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders their respective rights hereunder and in or to the Collateral.

The Borrower hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to file UCC financing statements (or similar notice filings applicable in foreign jurisdictions) with respect to the Collateral. If certificates of title or applications for title are issued or outstanding with respect to any of the inventory or equipment of any Loan Party, the Borrower shall (or cause such applicable Loan Party to), upon request of the Administrative Agent, (i) execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a short form security agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and (ii) deliver such certificate or application to the Administrative Agent and cause the interest of the Administrative Agent to be properly noted thereon. The Borrower hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent or its respective

 

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designated agent (but without obligation by the Administrative Agent to do so) to incur expenses with respect to the foregoing (whether prior to, upon, or subsequent to any Default), and the Borrower shall promptly repay, reimburse, and indemnify the Administrative Agent and the Lenders for any and all such expenses.

(f) Property Acquired Subsequent to the Closing Date and Right to Take Additional Collateral . The Borrower shall provide the Administrative Agent with prompt written notice with respect to any Material Real Property or material personal property (other than accounts, inventory, equipment and general intangibles and other property acquired in the ordinary course of business) acquired (including, in the case of Material Real Property, leased) by any Loan Party subsequent to the Closing Date. In addition to any other right that the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may have pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, upon written request of the Administrative Agent, whenever made, the Borrower shall, and shall cause each Loan Party to, grant to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, as additional security for the Obligations, a perfected first-priority Lien on any Material Real Property or personal property of each Loan Party (other than for leased equipment or equipment subject to a purchase money security interest in which the lessor or purchase money lender of such equipment holds a first priority security interest, in which case, the Administrative Agent shall have the right to obtain a security interest junior only to such lessor or purchase money lender), including, without limitation, such property acquired subsequent to the Closing Date, in which the Administrative Agent does not have a perfected first priority Lien. The Borrower agrees, (i) in the case of Material Real Property, to provide all Real Estate Requirements with respect to such Material Real Property within 60 days (or such later time as may be specified by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion), and (ii) in all other cases, within ten days after the date of a written request by the Administrative Agent, to secure all of the Obligations by delivering to the Administrative Agent security agreements, intellectual property security agreements, pledge agreements, mortgages (or deeds of trust, if applicable) or other documents, instruments or agreements or such thereof as the Administrative Agent may require. The Borrower shall pay all recordation, legal and other expenses in connection therewith.

(g) Designation of Immaterial Subsidiaries . In the event that the Immaterial Subsidiaries and Inactive Subsidiaries, when taken as a whole, (i) contribute more than 5% of the Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, during the most recently-ended four fiscal quarter period (taken as a single period) or (ii) as of any applicable date of determination have assets that in the aggregate constitute more than 5% aggregate net book value of the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, the Borrower shall promptly designate one or more Immaterial Subsidiaries or Inactive Subsidiaries to be Loan Parties hereunder (at which time such Subsidiaries shall cease to be Immaterial Subsidiaries or Inactive Subsidiaries, as applicable) such that the resulting EBITDA attributable to, and net book value of the assets held by, the remaining Immaterial Subsidiaries and Inactive Subsidiaries, when taken as a whole, shall be less than the required percentages set forth in clauses (i) and (ii) of this clause (g). Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary and for the avoidance of doubt, no Subsidiary shall constitute either an Immaterial Subsidiary or Inactive Subsidiary if such Subsidiary guarantees or provides a Lien on its assets or otherwise provide credit support with respect to the New Notes or any other Indebtedness of any Loan Party.

 

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(h) Designation of Material Real Property . In the event that the aggregate fair market value of (i) the real property owned in fee simple by the Loan Parties that is not subject to a Mortgage and (ii) the leasehold real property of the Loan Parties that is not subject to a Mortgage exceeds $30,000,000, the Borrower shall promptly designate one or more of such owned or leased real property locations to be Material Real Property (at which time such real property shall constitute Material Real Property for all purposes hereunder and under the other Loan Documents). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall real property with a fair market value of less than $4,000,000 be required to be subject to a Mortgage.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Loan Party shall be required to pledge or grant a Lien on any Excluded Assets (as defined in the Security Agreement).

6.13 Compliance with Environmental Laws . Except where non-compliance, either individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, comply in all respects with any and all applicable Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits including, without limitation, all Environmental Laws in jurisdictions in which such Person owns or operates a facility or site, arranges for disposal or treatment of hazardous substances, solid waste or other wastes, accepts for transport any hazardous substances, solid waste or other wastes or holds any interest in real property or otherwise. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall furnish to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, promptly after receipt thereof, a copy of any notice the Borrower or such Subsidiary may receive from any Governmental Authority or private Person, or otherwise, that any material litigation or proceeding pertaining to any environmental, health or safety matter has been filed or is threatened against the Borrower or such Subsidiary, any real property in which the Borrower or such Subsidiary holds any interest or any past or present operation of the Borrower or such Subsidiary. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall allow the material release or material disposal of hazardous waste, solid waste or other wastes on, under or to any real property in which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries holds any ownership interest or performs any of its operations, in violation of or which result in material liability under any Environmental Law. As used in this Section 6.13 , “litigation or proceeding” means any demand, claim, notice, suit, suit in equity action, administrative action, investigation or inquiry whether brought by any Governmental Authority or private Person, or otherwise.

6.14 Information Regarding Collateral . Provide the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with at least thirty (30) days’ prior written notice before any change its legal name, organizational structure or its state, province or other jurisdiction of organization. The Borrower shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent of (a) any change in any location where a material portion of any Loan Party’s assets are maintained, and any new locations where any material portion of any Loan Party’s assets are to be maintained; (b) any change in the location of the office where any Loan Party’s records pertaining to its accounts are kept; (c) the location of any new places of business and the changing or closing of any of its existing places of business; and (d) any change in the location of any Loan Party’s chief executive office.

6.15 Maintenance of Debt Ratings . Use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain Debt Ratings from both Moody’s and S&P.

 

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6.16 Further Assurances .

(a) Promptly upon request by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders through the Administrative Agent, (i) correct any material defect or error that may be discovered in any Loan Document or in the execution, acknowledgment, filing or recordation thereof, and (ii) do, execute, acknowledge, deliver, record, re-record, file, re-file, register and re-register any and all such further acts, deeds, certificates, assurances and other instruments as the Administrative Agent, or the Required Lenders through the Administrative Agent, may reasonably require from time to time in order to carry out more effectively the purposes of the Loan Documents.

(b) If deemed appropriate by the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent is hereby authorized to file new UCC financing statements (or similar notice filings applicable in foreign jurisdictions) describing the Collateral and otherwise in form and substance sufficient for recordation wherever necessary or appropriate, as determined in the Administrative Agent’s sole discretion, to perfect or continue perfected the security interest of the Administrative Agent in the Collateral. The Borrower shall pay all filing and recording fees and taxes in connection with the filing or recordation of such UCC financing statements (or similar notice filings applicable in foreign jurisdictions) and security interests and shall promptly reimburse the Administrative Agent therefor if the Administrative Agent pays the same.

6.17 Post-Closing Matters . Execute and deliver the documents and complete the tasks set forth on Schedule 6.17 , in each case within the time limits specified on such schedule.

6.18 Lender Meeting . Within 95 days after the close of each fiscal year of the Borrower, at the request of the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders, hold a meeting (at a mutually agreeable location and time) with all Lenders who choose to attend such meeting or conference call at which meeting or conference call shall be reviewed the financial results of the previous fiscal year and the financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and the budgets presented for the current fiscal year of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

ARTICLE VII

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

So long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, any Loan or other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied (other than contingent indemnification obligations not then due) or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding, the Borrower shall not, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to:

7.01 Liens . Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist (upon the happening of a contingency or otherwise) any Lien upon any of its property or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired; provided that this Section 7.01 shall not apply to the following:

(a) Liens for Taxes not yet due or that are being actively contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves shall have been established in accordance with GAAP;

(b) other statutory Liens incidental to the conduct of its business or the ownership of its property and assets that (i) were not incurred in connection with the borrowing of money or the obtaining of advances or credit, and (ii) do not in the aggregate materially detract from the value of its property or assets or materially impair the use thereof in the operation of its business;

 

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(c) Liens on property or assets of a Subsidiary to secure obligations of such Subsidiary to a Loan Party;

(d) purchase money Liens on fixed assets securing the loans and Indebtedness under Capitalized Leases pursuant to Section 7.02(b) hereof; provided that any such Lien is limited to the purchase price and only attaches to the property being acquired or financed thereby;

(e) any Lien of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties;

(f) the Liens existing on the Closing Date as set forth in Schedule 7.01 hereto and replacements, extensions, renewals, refundings or refinancings thereof, but only to the extent that the amount of Indebtedness secured thereby shall not be increased (except by an amount equal to a reasonable premium or other reasonable amount paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such replacement, extension, renewal, refunding or refinancing and by an amount equal to any existing commitments unutilized thereunder) and the property covered thereby is not changed;

(g) easements or other minor defects or irregularities in title of real property not interfering in any material respect with the use of such property in the business of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;

(h) pledges or deposits in connection with workers’ compensation insurance, unemployment insurance and like matters;

(i) Liens in respect of any writ of execution, attachment, garnishment, judgment or judicial award solely to the extent not constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.01(h)(i) ;

(j) Liens arising solely from precautionary UCC financing statements filed with respect to any consignment agreement entered into by Borrower or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

(k) any statutory or civil law Lien arising in the Netherlands under Netherland’s General Banking Conditions (other than arising under article 26 thereof) so long as such Lien does not secure Indebtedness;

(l) Liens on tangible property of a Person existing at the time such Person is acquired by the Borrower or a Subsidiary pursuant to an Acquisition permitted under Section 7.03(b) ; provided that such Liens were not created in contemplation of such Acquisition and do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person acquired by the Borrower or such Subsidiary, and the applicable Indebtedness secured by such Lien is permitted under Section 7.02(l) ;

(m) other Liens securing Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.02(m) ; provided that no such Lien shall extend to, or cover, any Collateral;

 

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(n) other non-consensual Liens not securing Indebtedness, (i) the amount of which does not exceed $7,500,000 in the aggregate, and (ii) the existence of which, either individually or in the aggregate, will not have a Material Adverse Effect; provided that any Lien permitted by this clause (n) is permitted only for so long as is reasonably necessary for the affected Loan Party or the affected Subsidiary, using its best efforts, to remove or eliminate such Lien and, provided further that, any Lien not otherwise permitted by this clause (n) shall be permitted so long as such Loan Party or the affected Subsidiary shall within thirty (30) days after the filing thereof either (A) cause such Lien to be discharged, or (B) post with the Administrative Agent a bond or other security in form and amount satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in all respects and shall thereafter diligently pursue its discharge;

(o) for the avoidance of doubt, any Lien on a Sold Account; and

(p) Liens granted pursuant to the Precious Metal Consignment Agreements so long as such Lien does not secure Indebtedness.

Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall enter into any contract or agreement (other than a contract or agreement entered into in connection with the purchase or lease of fixed assets that prohibits Liens on such fixed assets) that would prohibit the Administrative Agent or the Lenders from acquiring a security interest, mortgage or other Lien on, or a collateral assignment of, any of the property or assets of the Borrower or such Subsidiary.

7.02 Indebtedness . Create, incur, assume or have outstanding any Indebtedness of any kind; provided that this Section 7.02 shall not apply to the following:

(a) the Loans and any other Obligation under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document;

(b) any loans granted to or Indebtedness under Capitalized Leases entered into by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries for the purchase or lease of fixed assets and any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, which loans and Indebtedness under Capitalized Leases shall only be secured by the fixed assets being purchased or leased, so long as the aggregate principal amount of all such loans and Indebtedness under Capitalized Leases for the Borrower and all of its Subsidiaries shall not exceed $40,000,000 at any time outstanding;

(c) the Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date, in addition to the other Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to this Section 7.02 , as set forth in Schedule 7.02 hereto and any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

(d) loans to a Loan Party from another Loan Party;

(e) loans to a Foreign Subsidiary from another Foreign Subsidiary;

(f) Indebtedness under any Swap Contract, so long as such Swap Contract shall have been entered into in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;

(g) Permitted Foreign Subsidiary and other Loans and Investments, so long as (i) no Default shall exist immediately prior to or immediately after giving effect thereto and (ii) after giving pro forma effect thereto (and to any Indebtedness incurred in connection therewith), the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be in compliance with the Pro Forma Leverage Test;

 

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(h) Indebtedness incurred in connection with the financing of insurance premiums, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $5,000,000 at any time outstanding;

(i) contingent obligations consisting of Guarantees executed by (i) any Loan Party with respect to Indebtedness otherwise permitted by this Agreement and (ii) any Foreign Subsidiary with respect to any Indebtedness of a Foreign Subsidiary otherwise permitted by this Agreement;

(j) other unsecured Indebtedness (including unsecured Subordinated Indebtedness), in addition to the Indebtedness listed above, in an aggregate principal amount for the Borrower and all of its Subsidiaries not to exceed $25,000,000 at any time outstanding;

(k) unsecured Indebtedness evidenced by the New Notes (and any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof) in an aggregate outstanding principal amount not to exceed $300,000,000;

(l) Indebtedness of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower after the date hereof pursuant to an Acquisition permitted under Section 7.03(b) ; provided that (i) such Indebtedness is existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower (other than Indebtedness incurred solely in contemplation of such Person’s becoming a Subsidiary of the Borrower) and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness shall not exceed $25,000,000 at any time;

(m) other secured Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount for the Borrower and all of its Subsidiaries not to exceed $25,000,000 at any time outstanding, so long as (i) no Default shall exist prior to or after giving effect thereto and (ii) after giving pro forma effect thereto (and to any Indebtedness incurred in connection therewith), the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be in compliance with the Pro Forma Leverage Test;

(n) the following that do not constitute Indebtedness, but that are listed for purposes of clarification, contingent obligations consisting of the indemnification by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of (i) the officers, directors, employees and agents of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, to the extent permissible under the corporation law of the jurisdiction in which such Person is organized, (ii) commercial banks, investment bankers and other independent consultants or professional advisors pursuant to agreements relating to the underwriting of the Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ securities or the rendering of banking or professional services to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (iii) landlords, licensors, licensees and other parties pursuant to agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and (iv) other Persons under agreements relating to Acquisitions permitted under Section 7.03(b) ; provided that each of the foregoing is only permitted to the extent that such indemnity obligation is not incurred in connection with the borrowing of money or the extension of credit; and

(o) for the avoidance of doubt, any Indebtedness under any Qualified Receivables Transaction.

 

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7.03 Investments and Acquisitions .

(a) Make or hold any Investments (other than Investments pursuant to the Closing Date Acquisition), except:

(i) any endorsement of a check or other medium of payment for deposit or collection through normal banking channels or similar transaction in the normal course of business;

(ii) any investment in (A) direct obligations of the United States or in certificates of deposit issued by a member bank (having capital resources in excess of $100,000,000) of the Federal Reserve System or (B) commercial paper or securities that at the time of such investment is assigned the highest quality rating in accordance with the rating systems employed by either Moody’s or S&P;

(iii) the holding of each of the Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 5.01 hereto, and the creation, acquisition and holding of, and any investment in, any new Subsidiary after the Closing Date so long as such new Subsidiary shall have been created, acquired or held, and investments made, in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and pursuant to transactions otherwise permitted under this Section 7.03 ;

(iv) any Permitted Foreign Subsidiary and other Loans and Investments, so long as (A) no Default shall exist prior to or after giving effect thereto and (B) after giving pro forma effect to such investments or loans (and to any Indebtedness incurred in connection therewith), the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be in compliance with the Pro Forma Leverage Test;

(v) loans to, investments in, and Guarantees of Indebtedness of, the Borrower or any other Loan Party from or by another Loan Party;

(vi) loans to, investments in, and Guarantees of Indebtedness of, a Foreign Subsidiary from or by a another Foreign Subsidiary;

(vii) any advance or loan to an officer or employee of the Borrower or any Subsidiary as an advance on commissions, travel, relocation and other similar items in the ordinary course of business, so long as all such advances and loans from the Borrower and all Subsidiaries aggregate not more than the maximum principal sum of $1,000,000 at any time outstanding;

(viii) the holding of any Equity Interests that has been acquired pursuant to an Acquisition permitted by subsection (b) hereof;

(ix) the creation of a Subsidiary for the purpose of making an Acquisition permitted by subsection (b)  hereof or the holding of any Subsidiary as a result of an Acquisition made pursuant subsection (b)  hereof, so long as, in each case, if required pursuant to Section 6.12 hereof, such Subsidiary becomes a Guarantor promptly following such Acquisition;

 

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(x) the Investments existing on the Closing Date, in addition to the other Investments permitted to be incurred pursuant to this Section 7.03 , as set forth in Schedule 7.03 ;

(xi) Investments consisting of extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or notes receivable arising from the grant of trade credit in the ordinary course of business, and Investments received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors to the extent reasonably necessary in order to prevent or limit loss;

(xii) Guarantees permitted pursuant to Section 7.02 ;

(xiii) Investments in Wuxi Weitu Autocam Precision Machinery Components Co., Ltd., so long as (A) no Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom and (B) the aggregate amount of such Investments outstanding at any time shall not exceed $10,000,000;

(xiv) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may make Investments not otherwise permitted by this Section 7.03(a) , so long as (A) no Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, (B) after giving effect thereto the aggregate amount of all Investments made pursuant to this clause (a)(xiv) and Restricted Payments made pursuant to Section 7.06(d) , shall not exceed sum of (1) $25,000,000 plus (2) the Cumulative Retained Excess Cash Flow Amount, (C) the Administrative Agent shall have received the certificate required by Section 6.02(n) and (D) after giving pro forma effect to such Investment (and to any Indebtedness incurred in connection therewith), the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be in compliance with the Pro Forma Leverage Test; and

(xv) non-cash Investments made by Borrower or any Loan Party in any Foreign Subsidiary consisting of obligations of such Foreign Subsidiary to pay Capital Distributions to the Borrower or any other Loan Party that have been declared but the payment of which has been deferred (whether or not such obligation to pay such Capital Distributions is represented by a promissory note that has been pledged to the Administrative Agent in accordance with the Collateral Documents).

For purposes of this Section 7.03(a) , the amount of any Investment in Equity Interests shall be based upon the initial amount invested and shall not include any appreciation in value or return on such investment.

(b) Effect an Acquisition (other than the Closing Date Acquisition or any Acquisition permitted under Sections 7.04(a) , (b) , (c)  or (d) ); provided that, so long as no Default shall exist prior to or after giving pro forma effect thereto (and any Indebtedness incurred in connection therewith), the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may make an Acquisition so long as:

(i) in the case of a merger, amalgamation or other combination including the Borrower, the Borrower shall be the surviving entity;

 

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(ii) in the case of a merger, amalgamation or other combination including a Loan Party (other than the Borrower), a Loan Party shall be the surviving entity;

(iii) the business to be acquired shall be similar to the lines of business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or reasonably related and/or complementary or ancillary to such lines of business and reasonable extensions and expansions thereof;

(iv) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be in full compliance with the Loan Documents both prior to and subsequent to the transaction;

(v) such Acquisition shall not be actively opposed by the board of directors (or similar governing body) of the selling Persons or the Persons whose equity interests are to be acquired;

(vi) the aggregate Consideration for all Acquisitions by Foreign Subsidiaries, Acquisitions of Persons or Equity Interests of Persons that do not become Loan Parties (including by way of merger into a Loan Party) and Acquisitions of assets that are not included in the Collateral, shall not exceed $100,000,000 during the term of this Agreement and Borrower shall have delivered evidence demonstrating that after giving pro forma effect to each such Acquisition described in this clause (vi) (and to any Indebtedness incurred, assumed or acquired in connection therewith), the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be in compliance with the Pro Forma Leverage Test; and

(vii) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be in compliance with the Pro Forma Leverage Test, and if the aggregate Consideration for any Acquisition permitted under this clause (b) is greater than or equal to $15,000,000, the Borrower shall have provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, at least five (5) days prior to such Acquisition, a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower showing that, both before and after giving pro forma effect to such Acquisition (and to any Indebtedness incurred, assumed or acquired in connection therewith), the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be in compliance with the Pro Forma Leverage Test.

7.04 Fundamental Changes . Dissolve, liquidate, merge, amalgamate or consolidate with or into any other Person, except that, if no Default shall then exist or immediately thereafter shall begin to exist:

(a) a Domestic Subsidiary may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with or into (i) the Borrower (provided that the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person), or (ii) any one or more Guarantors ( provided that a Guarantor shall be the continuing or surviving Person);

(b) a Domestic Subsidiary (other than a Loan Party) may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with or into any other Domestic Subsidiary (other than a Loan Party);

(c) a Foreign Subsidiary may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with or into another Foreign Subsidiary or the Borrower or a Guarantor ( provided that, in any merger, amalgamation or consolidation involving the Borrower or a Guarantor, the Borrower or Guarantor shall be the continuing or surviving Person);

 

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(d) any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary may be dissolved or liquidated so long as such Subsidiary is not, at the time, a Loan Party or, if it is a Loan Party at such time, all assets and interests of such Subsidiary, are transferred to another Loan Party on or before the time of its dissolution or liquidation; and

(e) Acquisitions may be effected in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.03(b) hereof.

7.05 Dispositions . Make any Disposition or enter into any agreement to make any Disposition, other than in the ordinary course of business, except that, if no Default shall then exist or immediately thereafter shall begin to exist:

(a) a Loan Party may sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its assets to any other Loan Party;

(b) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may Dispose of any assets, so long as the aggregate amount of all such Dispositions, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, shall not exceed $15,000,000 per fiscal year of the Borrower;

(c) a Domestic Subsidiary (other than a Loan Party) may Dispose of any of its assets to the Borrower or any other Domestic Subsidiary; provided that in the case of any Disposition to a Loan Party such Disposition shall not be for more than the fair market value of the assets which are the subject of such Disposition;

(d) a Foreign Subsidiary may Dispose of any of its assets to any Loan Party; provided that such Disposition shall not be for more than the fair market value of the assets which are the subject of such Disposition;

(e) Dispositions permitted by Section 7.04 ;

(f) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of fixed assets in the ordinary course of business for the purpose of replacing such fixed assets; provided that any such fixed assets are replaced within one hundred eighty (180) days of such sale or other disposition with other fixed assets which have a fair market value not materially less than the fair market value of the fixed assets sold or otherwise disposed;

(g) a Foreign Subsidiary may Dispose of any of its assets to any other Foreign Subsidiary;

(h) the Disposition of owned real property (and related furniture, fixtures and equipment) in connection with a sale leaseback transaction with a Governmental Authority with respect to such owned real property, so long as the amount of such Disposition does not exceed $10,000,000;

(i) the Disposition of any Immaterial Subsidiary or any other Subsidiary identified to the Administrative Agent prior to the Closing Date, so long as (i) the consideration received for the assets to be so disposed is at least equal to the fair market value of such assets and for at least 75% cash and (ii) no Default or Event of Default is occurring and continuing at the time of such Disposition; and

(j) Dispositions of Receivables in connection with any Qualified Receivables Transaction.

 

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7.06 Restricted Payments . Make or commit itself to make or declare any Restricted Payment at any time, provided that:

(a) each Subsidiary may make Capital Distributions to the Borrower, any Subsidiaries of the Borrower that are Guarantors and any other Person that owns a direct Equity Interest in such Subsidiary, ratably according to their respective holdings of the type of Equity Interest in respect of which such Capital Distribution is being made;

(b) so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may make payment of current interest, expenses and indemnities in respect of Subordinated Indebtedness (other than any such payments prohibited by the subordination provisions applicable thereto);

(c) the Borrower and each Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments with the proceeds received from the substantially concurrent issue of new common Equity Interests;

(d) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may make Restricted Payments not otherwise permitted by this Section, so long as (i) no Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, (ii) after giving effect thereto the aggregate amount of all Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (d) and Investments made pursuant to Section 7.03(a)(xiv) , shall not exceed sum of (1) $25,000,000 plus (2) the Cumulative Retained Excess Cash Flow Amount, (iii) the Administrative Agent shall have received the certificate required by Section 6.02(n) and (iv) after giving pro forma effect to such Restricted Payment (and to any Indebtedness incurred in connection therewith), the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be in compliance with the Pro Forma Leverage Test;

(e) the Borrower may make Capital Distributions, consistent with its past practice, in the form of dividends to shareholders of Equity Interests in the Borrower; provided that (i) the aggregate amount of all such Capital Distributions shall not exceed $2,500,000 per fiscal quarter of the Borrower; and (ii) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from any such Capital Distribution;

(f) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may make Restricted Payments constituting a prepayment of Indebtedness in connection with the Refinancing of such Indebtedness;

(g) so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, each of Autocam do Brasil Usinagem, LTDA, Bouverat Industries S.A.S., and Autocam France, SARL may at any time repay its respective Indebtedness set forth on Schedule 7.02 ;

(h) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may make payment of current interest, expenses and indemnities in respect of the New Notes; and

 

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(i) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may make Restricted Payments with respect to the New Notes not otherwise permitted by this Section, so long as (i) no Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, and (ii) after giving pro forma effect to such Restricted Payment (and to any Indebtedness incurred in connection therewith), the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio of Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be equal to or less than 2.00 to 1.00, determined based on the financial information received for the fiscal quarter (or fiscal year, as applicable) most recently ended prior to such date for which financial statements have been delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 4.01(a)(x) , 6.01(a) or 6.01(b) , as applicable, after giving effect to such Restricted Payments.

7.07 Change in Nature of Business . Engage in any business if, as a result thereof, the general nature of the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole would be substantially changed from the general nature of the business the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are engaged in on the Closing Date.

7.08 Transactions with Affiliates . Directly or indirectly, enter into or permit to exist any transaction (including, without limitation, the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any property or the rendering of any service) with any Affiliate (other than a Loan Party) on terms that shall be less favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time in a transaction with a non Affiliate; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit the payment of customary and reasonable directors’ fees to directors who are not employees of the Borrower or any Subsidiary or an Affiliate.

7.09 Burdensome Agreements . Except as set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Subsidiary to (a) make, directly or indirectly, any Capital Distribution to the Borrower, (b) make, directly or indirectly, loans or advances or capital contributions to the Borrower or (c) transfer, directly or indirectly, any of the properties or assets of such Subsidiary to the Borrower; except for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of (i) applicable Law, (ii) customary non-assignment provisions in leases or other agreements entered in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices, (iii) documents or instruments governing the New Notes or any permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof or (iv) customary restrictions in agreements in connection with Qualified Receivables Transactions, consignment agreements, security agreements or mortgages permitted hereunder securing Indebtedness or Capitalized Leases permitted hereunder, of a Subsidiary to the extent such restrictions shall only restrict the transfer of the property subject to such security agreement, mortgage or lease.

7.10 Use of Proceeds . Directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately:

(a) use the proceeds of any Borrowing, to purchase or carry margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U of the FRB) or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock or to refund indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose;

(b) use the proceeds of any Borrowing, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other individual or entity, to

 

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fund any activities of or business with any individual or entity, or in any Designated Jurisdiction, that, at the time of such funding, is the subject of Sanctions, or in any other manner that will result in a violation by any individual or entity (including any individual or entity participating in the transaction, whether as Lender, Arranger, Administrative Agent or otherwise) of Sanctions; or

(c) use the proceeds of any Borrowing for any purpose which would breach any Anti-Corruption Laws.

7.11 Amendments of Organization Documents . Amend its Organization Documents to change its name or state, province or other jurisdiction of organization, or otherwise amend its Organization Documents in a manner adverse to the Lenders, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

7.12 Accounting Changes . Make any change in (a) accounting policies or reporting practices, except as required by GAAP, or (b) fiscal year

7.13 Sanctions; FCPA . Directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of any Credit Extension, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds:

(a) to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other individual or entity, to fund any activities of or business with any individual or entity, or in any Designated Jurisdiction, that, at the time of such funding, is the subject of Sanctions, or in any other manner that will result in a violation by any individual or entity (including any individual or entity participating in the transaction, whether as Lender, Arranger, Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer, Swing Line Lender, or otherwise) of Sanctions; or

(b) directly or indirectly, for any payments to any governmental official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977.

7.14 Financial Covenant. For the benefit of the Revolving Credit Lenders, the Swing Line Lender and the L/C Issuers only (and the Administrative Agent on their behalf), permit the Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the last day of any fiscal quarter of the Borrower to exceed the Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio set forth in the applicable fiscal quarter below if the Aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure (excluding any Revolving Credit Exposure in respect of any Letter of Credit (a) which has been cash collateralized in an amount equal to 103% or more of the maximum stated amount of such Letter of Credit or (b) which remains undrawn, provided that the Revolving Credit Exposure in respect of any such Letters of Credit shall only be excluded to the extent the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure of all such Letters of Credit excluded pursuant to this clause (b) does not exceed $5,000,000) outstanding as of the last day of such fiscal quarter exceeds an amount equal to 30% of the aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments as of such day.

 

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Fiscal Quarter

   Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio

September 30, 2015; December 31, 2015; March 31, 2016; June 30, 2016; September 30, 2016; December 31, 2016

   5.50 to 1.00

March 31, 2017; June 30, 2017; September 30, 2017; December 31, 2017

   5.00 to 1.00

March 31, 2018; June 30, 2018; September 30, 2018; December 31, 2018

   4.50 to 1.00

March 31, 2019 and each fiscal quarter thereafter

   4.00 to 1.00

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 10.01 , the provisions of this Section  7.14, and the definition of the term “Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio” and its constituent parts, in each case as used for purposes of this Section 7.14 , may only be amended, waived or otherwise modified with the prior written consent of the Required Revolving Lenders.

7.15 Restrictions Pertaining to Certain Indebtedness .

(a) Permit any supplement, modification or amendment of the New Notes Documents if the effect of such supplement, modification or amendment as a whole would materially increase the obligations (including, without limitation, the pricing thereof) of the obligor or confer additional material rights on the holders of the Indebtedness outstanding thereunder in a manner that would be, or could reasonably be expected to be, materially detrimental to the Borrower or materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders, as determined in good faith by the Borrower.

(b) Permit any supplement, modification or amendment in any manner of any term or condition of any Material Indebtedness Agreement, any Indebtedness set forth in Schedule 7.02 or any Indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in payment to the Obligations, except for (i) any permitted Refinancing Indebtedness thereof or (ii) amendments, modifications or changes that would not reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders.

7.16 New Notes . Permit or give rise to any Indebtedness or obligation that will require the granting of a Lien to holders of the New Notes.

ARTICLE VIII

EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

8.01 Events of Default . Any of the following shall constitute an Event of Default:

(a) Payments . If (a) the interest on any Loan or any Commitment or any other fee or other amount (other than the principal of any Loan) shall not be paid in full when due and payable or within five (5) Business Days thereafter, or (b) the principal of any Loan shall not be paid in full when due and payable;

 

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(b) Special Covenants .

(i) If any Loan Party or Subsidiary thereof shall fail or omit to perform and observe Sections 6.01 , 6.03(a) , 6.12 (other than clause (e) thereof), 6.15 , 6.16 , 6.17 , 6.18 or any Section in Article VII hereof (other than Section 7.14 );

(ii) Solely with respect to the Revolving Credit Lenders, the Swing Line Lender and the L/C Issuers (and the Administrative Agent on their behalf), and only so long as the Revolving Credit Commitments shall not have been terminated in accordance with terms hereof, the failure by the Borrower to comply with the covenant set forth in Section  7.14 (a “ Financial Covenant Event of Default ”); provided that a Financial Covenant Event of Default shall constitute an Event of Default with respect to the Term Lenders upon the Revolving Credit Lenders terminating the Revolving Credit Commitments or declaring all amounts outstanding with respect to the Revolving Loans or Swing Line Loans to be immediately due and payable in accordance with this Agreement as a result of a Financial Covenant Event of Default and only for so long as such declaration has not been rescinded;

(c) Other Covenants . If any Loan Party or Subsidiary thereof shall fail or omit to perform and observe any covenant, agreement or other provision (other than those referred to in Sections 8.01(a) or 8.01(b) hereof) contained or referred to in this Agreement or any other Loan Document that is on such Loan Party’s or Subsidiary’s part to be complied with, and that failure or omission shall not have been fully corrected within thirty (30) days after the earlier of (i) any Financial Officer of such Loan Party or Subsidiary, as applicable, becomes aware of the occurrence thereof, or (b) the giving of written notice thereof to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders that the specified failure or omission is to be remedied;

(d) Representations and Warranties . If any representation, warranty or statement made in or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any other material information furnished by any Loan Party or Subsidiary thereof to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, or any thereof, or any other holder of any Note, shall be false or erroneous in any material respect (or, if any such representation, warranty or statement is by its terms qualified by concepts of materiality or reference to Material Adverse Effect, such representation, warranty or statement in any respect);

(e) Cross Default . If any Loan Party or any Subsidiary shall default in (i) the payment of any amount due and owing with respect to any Material Indebtedness Agreement beyond any period of grace provided with respect thereto or (ii) the performance or observance of any other agreement, term or condition contained in any agreement under which such obligation is created, if the effect of such default is to allow the acceleration of the maturity of any Indebtedness under any Material Indebtedness Agreement or to permit the holder thereof to cause such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity;

(f) ERISA Default . The occurrence of one or more ERISA Events that (a) the Required Lenders determine, either individually or in the aggregate, has or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or (b) results in a Lien on any of the assets of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof and such Lien is not released within thirty (30) days; provided that adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP with respect to such Lien;

 

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(g) Change in Control . If any Change in Control shall occur;

(h) Judgments . (i) A final judgment or order for the payment of money shall be rendered against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof by a court of competent jurisdiction, that remains unpaid or unstayed and undischarged for a period (during which execution shall not be effectively stayed) of thirty (30) days after the date on which the right to appeal has expired and the aggregate of all such judgments, for all such Loan Parties or Subsidiaries, shall exceed $30,000,000 (to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer is rated at least “A” by A.M. Best Company, has been notified of the potential claim and does not dispute coverage) or (ii) any one or more non-monetary final judgments or orders shall be rendered against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof by a court of competent jurisdiction that have, or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect and, in either case, (1) enforcement proceedings are commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order, or (2) there is a period of 10 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, is not in effect;

(i) Validity of the Loan Documents .

(i) If any Lien granted in this Agreement or any other Loan Document in favor of the Administrative Agent shall be determined to be (i) void, voidable or invalid, or is subordinated or not otherwise given the priority contemplated by this Agreement and the Borrower has (or the appropriate Loan Party has) failed to promptly execute appropriate documents to correct such matters, or (ii) unperfected as to any material amount of Collateral (as determined by the Administrative Agent, in its reasonable discretion) and the Borrower has (or the appropriate Loan Party has) failed to promptly execute appropriate documents to correct such matters;

(ii) (A) The validity, binding effect or enforceability of any Loan Document against any Loan Party shall be contested by any Loan Party; (B) any Loan Party shall deny that it has any or further liability or obligation under any Loan Document; or (C) any Loan Document shall be terminated, invalidated or set aside, or be declared ineffective or inoperative or in any way cease to give or provide to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders the benefits purported to be created thereby;

(j) Bankruptcy and Solvency . If any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof (other than an Inactive Subsidiary or Immaterial Subsidiary) shall (1) except as permitted pursuant to Section 7.04 hereof, discontinue business, (2) generally not pay its debts as such debts become due, (3) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, (4) apply for or consent to the appointment of an interim receiver, a receiver, a receiver and manager, an interim examiner, an examiner, an administrator, sequestrator, monitor, a custodian, a trustee, an interim trustee or liquidator of all or a substantial part of its assets or of such Person, (5) be adjudicated a debtor or insolvent or have entered against it an order for relief under any Debtor Relief Law, whether or not foreign, federal, state or provincial, in any applicable jurisdiction, now or hereafter existing,

 

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as any of the foregoing may be amended from time to time, or other applicable statute for jurisdictions outside of the United States, as the case may be, (6) file a voluntary petition in bankruptcy, or file a petition for the appointment of an interim examiner or examiner, or file a proposal or notice of intention to file a proposal or have an involuntary proceeding filed against it and the same shall continue undismissed for a period of sixty (60) days from commencement of such proceeding or case, or file a petition or an answer or an application or a proposal seeking reorganization or an arrangement with creditors or seeking to take advantage of any other law (whether federal, provincial or state, or, if applicable, other jurisdiction) relating to relief of debtors, or admit (by answer, by default or otherwise) the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency or other proceeding (whether federal, provincial or state, or, if applicable, other jurisdiction) relating to relief of debtors, (7) suffer or permit to continue unstayed and in effect for sixty (60) consecutive days any judgment, decree or order entered by a court of competent jurisdiction, that approves a petition or an application or a proposal seeking its reorganization or appoints an interim receiver, a receiver and manager, an interim examiner, an examiner, an administrator, custodian, trustee, interim trustee or liquidator of all or a substantial part of its assets, or of such Person, (8) have an administrative receiver, receiver or examiner appointed over the whole or substantially the whole of its assets, or of such Person, (9) take, or omit to take, any action in order thereby to effect any of the foregoing assets, the value of which is less than its liabilities (taking into account prospective and contingent liabilities), or (10) have a moratorium declared in respect of any of its Indebtedness, or any analogous procedure or step is taken in any jurisdiction; or

(k) Senior Debt Status . The Obligations of each Loan Party under this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents shall fail to (i) rank at least pari passu in right of payment with the other material senior Indebtedness of the Loan Parties or (ii) be designated as “Senior Indebtedness”, “Designated Senior Debt” or such similar term under all instruments and documents relating to all Subordinated Indebtedness and all senior unsecured Indebtedness of such Person.

8.02 Remedies upon Event of Default . If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Administrative Agent shall, at the request of, or may, with the consent of, the Required Lenders (or in the event of a Financial Covenant Event of Default, the Required Revolving Lenders), take any or all of the following actions:

(a) declare the commitment of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of any L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions to be terminated, whereupon such commitments and obligation shall be terminated;

(b) declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower;

(c) require that the Borrower Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations (in an amount equal to the Minimum Collateral Amount with respect thereto); and

(d) exercise on behalf of itself and the Lenders, the L/C Issuers, the Cash Management Banks and the Hedge Banks all rights and remedies available to it and the Lenders, the L/C Issuers, the Cash Management Banks and the Hedge Banks under the Loan Documents;

 

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provided , however , that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default described in Section 8.01(j) , the obligation of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of each L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions shall automatically terminate, the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all interest and other amounts as aforesaid shall automatically become due and payable, and the obligation of the Borrower to Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations as aforesaid shall automatically become effective, in each case without further act of the Administrative Agent or any Lender; provided , further , that upon the occurrence of a Financial Covenant Event of Default, and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Revolving Lenders, shall, by notice to the Borrower, take any of the following actions, at the same or different times: (x) terminate the Revolving Credit Commitments, the L/C Commitment and the Swing Line Commitment, and thereupon the Revolving Credit Commitments, the L/C Commitment and the Swing Line Commitment shall terminate immediately and (y) declare the Revolving Loans, L/C Exposure and Swing Line Exposure then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Revolving Loans, L/C Exposure and Swing Line Exposure so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations relating thereto of the Borrower accrued hereunder, shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.

8.03 Application of Funds . After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 8.02 (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable and the L/C Obligations have automatically been required to be Cash Collateralized as set forth in the proviso to Section 8.02 ), any amounts received on account of the Obligations shall, subject to the provisions of Sections 2.15 and 2.16 , be applied by the Administrative Agent in the following order:

First , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent and amounts payable under Article III ) payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such;

Second , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal, interest and Letter of Credit Fees) payable to the Lenders and the L/C Issuers (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the respective Lenders and the L/C Issuers (including fees and time charges for attorneys who may be employees of any Lender or any L/C Issuer)) arising under the Loan Documents and amounts payable under Article III , ratably among them in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Second payable to them;

Third , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid Letter of Credit Fees and interest on the Loans, L/C Borrowings and other Obligations arising under the Loan Documents, ratably among the Lenders and the L/C Issuers in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third payable to them;

 

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Fourth , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans, L/C Borrowings and Obligations then owing under Secured Hedge Agreements and Secured Cash Management Agreements, ratably among the Lenders, the L/C Issuers, the Hedge Banks and the Cash Management Banks in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth held by them;

Fifth , to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuers, to Cash Collateralize that portion of L/C Obligations comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit to the extent not otherwise Cash Collateralized by the Borrower pursuant to 2.03 and 2.16 ; and

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 Sections 2.03(c) and 2.16 , amounts used to Cash Collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to clause Fifth above shall be applied to satisfy drawings under such Letters of Credit as they occur. If any amount remains on deposit as Cash Collateral after all Letters of Credit have either been fully drawn or expired, such remaining amount shall be applied to the other Obligations, if any, in the order set forth above.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements shall be excluded from the application described above if the Administrative Agent has not received written notice thereof, together with such supporting documentation as the Administrative Agent may request, from the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank, as the case may be. Each Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank not a party to this Agreement that has given the notice contemplated by the preceding sentence shall, by such notice, be deemed to have acknowledged and accepted the appointment of the Administrative Agent pursuant to the terms of Article IX hereof for itself and its Affiliates as if a “Lender” party hereto.

ARTICLE IX

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

9.01 Appointment and Authority . (a) Each of the Lenders and each L/C Issuer hereby irrevocably appoints KeyBank 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. The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, and the L/C Issuers, and neither the Borrower nor any other Loan Party shall have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions. It is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” herein or in any other Loan Documents (or any other similar term) with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable Laws. Instead such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties.

 

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(b) The Administrative Agent shall also act as the “ collateral agent ” under the Loan Documents, and each of the Lenders (including in its capacities as a potential Hedge Bank and a potential Cash Management Bank) and each L/C Issuer hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to act as the agent of such Lender and such L/C Issuer for purposes of acquiring, holding and enforcing any and all Liens on Collateral granted by any of the Loan Parties to secure any of the Obligations, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto. In this connection, the Administrative Agent, as “collateral agent” and any co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact appointed by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 9.05 for purposes of holding or enforcing any Lien on the Collateral (or any portion thereof) granted under the Collateral Documents, or for exercising any rights and remedies thereunder at the direction of the Administrative Agent), shall be entitled to the benefits of all provisions of this Article IX and Article X (including Section 10.04(c) , as though such co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact were the “collateral agent” under the Loan Documents) as if set forth in full herein with respect thereto.

9.02 Rights as a Lender . The 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 the Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own securities of, 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.

9.03 Exculpatory Provisions . The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, and its duties hereunder shall be administrative in nature. 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 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, including for the avoidance of doubt any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any Debtor Relief Law or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any Debtor Relief Law; and

 

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(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) The Administrative Agent 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 10.01 and 8.02 ) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until notice describing such Default is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower, a Lender or an L/C Issuer.

(e) The Administrative Agent 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 the creation, perfection or priority of any Lien purported to be created by the Collateral Documents, (v) the value or the sufficiency of any Collateral, or (vi) 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.

9.04 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 the issuance, extension, renewal or increase of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or an L/C Issuer, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or such L/C Issuer unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or such L/C Issuer prior to the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit. 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.

9.05 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

 

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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 Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agents except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and nonappealable judgment that the Administrative Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agents.

9.06 Resignation of Administrative Agent .

(a) The Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders, the L/C Issuers and the Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Borrower, to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the “Resignation Effective Date”), then the retiring Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) on behalf of the Lenders and the L/C Issuers, appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above. Whether or not a successor has been appointed, such resignation shall become effective in accordance with such notice on the Resignation Effective Date.

(b) If the Person serving as Administrative Agent is a Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (d) of the definition thereof, the Required Lenders may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, by notice in writing to the Borrower and such Person remove such Person as Administrative Agent and, in consultation with the Borrower, appoint a successor. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the “Removal Effective Date”), then such removal shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice on the Removal Effective Date.

(c) With effect from the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date (as applicable) (i) the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (except that in the case of any collateral security held by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders or the L/C Issuers under any of the Loan Documents, the retiring Administrative Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed) and (ii) except for any indemnity payments or other amounts then owed to the retiring or removed Administrative Agent, 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 and each L/C Issuer directly, until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s 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 removed) Administrative Agent

 

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(other than as provided in Section 3.01(g) and other than any rights to indemnity payments or other amounts owed to the retiring or removed Administrative Agent as of the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date, as applicable), and the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or 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 or removed Administrative Agent’s resignation or removal hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Section 10.04 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.

(d) Any resignation or removal by any Person as Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section shall also constitute its resignation as an L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender. If any such Person resigns as an L/C Issuer, it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of an L/C Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as an L/C Issuer and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto, including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.03(c) . If any Person resigns as Swing Line Lender, it shall retain all the rights of the Swing Line Lender provided for hereunder with respect to Swing Line Loans made by it and outstanding as of the effective date of such resignation, including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in outstanding Sing Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.04(c) . Upon the appointment by the Borrower of a successor L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender hereunder (which successor shall in all cases be a Lender other than a Defaulting Lender), (i) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as applicable, (ii) the retiring L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender shall be discharged from all of their respective duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, and (iii) the successor L/C Issuer shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to the retiring L/C Issuer to effectively assume the obligations of the retiring L/C Issuer with respect to such Letters of Credit.

9.07 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders . Each Lender and each L/C Issuer 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 and each L/C Issuer 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.

 

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9.08 No Other Duties, Etc . Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the Bookrunners, Arrangers, Syndication Agent, Documentation Agents or other similar titles listed on the cover page hereof shall 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 L/C Issuer hereunder.

9.09 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim; Credit Bidding . In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or any other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or L/C Obligation 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, L/C Obligations 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 L/C Issuers and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders, the L/C Issuers and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders, the L/C Issuers and the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.03(h) and (i) , 2.09 and 10.04 ) 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 L/C Issuer 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 L/C Issuers, 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 2.09 and 10.04 .

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 L/C Issuer any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or any L/C Issuer to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender or any L/C Issuer or in any such proceeding.

The Secured Parties hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at the direction of the Required Lenders, to credit bid all or any portion of the Obligations (including accepting some or all of the Collateral in satisfaction of some or all of the Obligations pursuant to a deed in lieu of foreclosure or otherwise) and in such manner purchase (either directly or through one or more acquisition vehicles) all or any portion of the Collateral (a) at any sale thereof conducted under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, including under Sections 363, 1123 or 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, or any similar Laws in any other jurisdictions to which a Loan Party is subject, (b) at any other sale or

 

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foreclosure or acceptance of collateral in lieu of debt conducted by (or with the consent or at the direction of) the Administrative Agent (whether by judicial action or otherwise) in accordance with any applicable Laws. In connection with any such credit bid and purchase, the Obligations owed to the Secured Parties shall be entitled to be, and shall be, credit bid on a ratable basis (with Obligations with respect to contingent or unliquidated claims receiving contingent interests in the acquired assets on a ratable basis that would vest upon the liquidation of such claims in an amount proportional to the liquidated portion of the contingent claim amount used in allocating the contingent interests) in the asset or assets so purchased (or in the Equity Interests or debt instruments of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles that are used to consummate such purchase). In connection with any such bid (i) the Administrative Agent shall be authorized to form one or more acquisition vehicles to make a bid, (ii) to adopt documents providing for the governance of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles (provided that any actions by the Administrative Agent with respect to such acquisition vehicle or vehicles, including any disposition of the assets or Equity Interests thereof shall be governed, directly or indirectly, by the vote of the Required Lenders, irrespective of the termination of this Agreement and without giving effect to the limitations on actions by the Required Lenders contained in clauses (a) through (i) of Section 10.01 of this Agreement, (iii) the Administrative Agent shall be authorized to assign the relevant Obligations to any such acquisition vehicle pro rata by the Lenders, as a result of which each of the Lenders shall be deemed to have received a pro rata portion of any Equity Interests and/or debt instruments issued by such an acquisition vehicle on account of the assignment of the Obligations to be credit bid, all without the need for any Secured Party or acquisition vehicle to take any further action and (iv) to the extent that Obligations that are assigned to an acquisition vehicle are not used to acquire Collateral for any reason (as a result of another bid being higher or better, because the amount of Obligations assigned to the acquisition vehicle exceeds the amount of debt credit bid by the acquisition vehicle or otherwise), such Obligations shall automatically be reassigned to the Lenders pro rata and the Equity Interests and/or debt instruments issued by any acquisition vehicle on account of the Obligations that had been assigned to the acquisition vehicle shall automatically be cancelled, without the need for any Secured Party or any acquisition vehicle to take any further action.

9.10 Collateral and Guaranty Matters . Without limiting the provision of Section 9.09 , each of the Lenders (including in its capacities as a potential Cash Management Bank and a potential Hedge Bank) and each L/C Issuer irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at its option and in its discretion,

(a) to release any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document (i) upon termination of the Aggregate Commitments and payment in full of all Obligations (other than (A) contingent indemnification obligations and (B) obligations and liabilities under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements as to which arrangements satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the applicable Cash Management Bank of Hedge Bank shall have been made) and the expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit (other than Letters of Credit as to which other arrangements satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the applicable L/C Issuer shall have been made), (ii) that is sold or otherwise disposed of or to be sold or otherwise disposed of as part of or in connection with any sale or other disposition permitted hereunder or under any other Loan Document to a Person that is not a Loan Party, (iii) that constitutes “Excluded Assets” (as such term is defined in the Security Agreement), or (iv) if approved, authorized or ratified in writing in accordance with Section 10.01 ;

 

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(b) to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty if such Person ceases to be a Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted under the Loan Documents; and

(c) to subordinate any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document to the holder of any Lien on such property that is permitted by Section 7.01(d) .

Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Required Lenders will confirm in writing the Administrative Agent’s authority to release or subordinate its interest in particular types or items of property, or to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty pursuant to this Section 9.10 . In each case as specified in this Section 9.10 , the Administrative Agent will, at the Borrower’s expense, execute and deliver to the applicable Loan Party such documents as such Loan Party may reasonably request to evidence the release of such item of Collateral from the assignment and security interest granted under the Collateral Documents or to subordinate its interest in such item, or to release such Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty, in each case in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents and this Section 9.10 .

The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have a duty to ascertain or inquire into any representation or warranty regarding the existence, value or collectability of the Collateral, the existence, priority or perfection of the Administrative Agent’s Lien thereon, or any certificate prepared by any Loan Party in connection therewith, nor shall the Administrative Agent be responsible or liable to the Lenders for any failure to monitor or maintain any portion of the Collateral.

9.11 Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements . Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein or in any Guaranty or any Collateral Document, no Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank that obtains the benefits of Section 8.03 , any Guaranty or any Collateral by virtue of the provisions hereof or of any Guaranty or any Collateral Document shall have any right to notice of any action or to consent to, direct or object to any action hereunder or under any other Loan Document or otherwise in respect of the Collateral (including the release or impairment of any Collateral) other than in its capacity as a Lender and, in such case, only to the extent expressly provided in the Loan Documents. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article IX to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall not be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangements have been made with respect to, Obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements unless the Administrative Agent has received written notice of such Obligations, together with such supporting documentation as the Administrative Agent may request, from the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank, as the case may be.

 

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ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS

10.01 Amendments, Etc. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent to any departure by the Borrower or any other Loan Party therefrom, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the Required Lenders and the Borrower or the applicable Loan Party, as the case may be, and acknowledged by the Administrative Agent, and each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided, however, that no such amendment, waiver or consent shall:

(a) in the case of the initial Credit Extension, waive any condition set forth in Section 4.01 (other than Section 4.01(c)(i) ) or any of Section 4.02(a) , (b) or (c), without the written consent of each Lender;

(b) without limiting the generality of clause (a) above, while the Term Loans (including any Incremental Term Loans) remain outstanding, without the prior written consent of the Required Revolving Lenders, amend, modify or waive Section 4.02 or any other provision of this Agreement if the effect of such amendment, modification or waiver is to require the Revolving Credit Lenders to make Revolving Credit Loans when such Lenders would not otherwise be required to do so;

(c) extend or increase the Commitment of any Lender (or reinstate any Commitment terminated pursuant to Section 8.02 ) without the written consent of such Lender;

(d) postpone any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for any payment (excluding mandatory prepayments) of principal, interest, fees or other amounts due to the Lenders (or any of them) hereunder or under such other Loan Document without the written consent of each such Lender entitled to such payment;

(e) reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan or L/C Borrowing, or (subject to clause (ii) of the second proviso to this Section 10.01 ) any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender entitled to such amount; provided that only the consent of (i) the Required Lenders shall be necessary to amend the definition of “Default Rate”, (ii) the Required Term Lenders shall be necessary to waive any obligation of the Borrower to pay interest on the Term Loans at the Default Rate and (iii) the Required Revolving Lenders shall be necessary to waive any obligation of the Borrower to pay interest on any Loans other than the Term Loans or Letter of Credit Fees at the Default Rate or to amend any financial covenant hereunder (or any defined term used therein) even if the effect of such amendment would be to reduce the rate of interest on any Loan or L/C Borrowing or to reduce any fee payable hereunder;

(f) change (i)  Section 8.03 in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby or (ii) the order of application of any prepayment of Loans among the Facilities from the application thereof set forth in the applicable provisions of Section 2.05(b) in any manner that materially and adversely affects the Lenders under a Facility without the written consent of (x) if such Facility is the Term Facility, the Required Term Lenders, and (y) if such Facility is the Revolving Credit Facility, the Required Revolving Lenders;

 

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(g) change any provision of this Section or reduce the percentages specified in (or alter the method of calculation thereof) the definition of any of “Required Lenders”, “Required Revolving Lenders” or “Required Term Lenders”, or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to amend, waive or otherwise modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby;

(h) release all or substantially all of the Collateral in any transaction or series of related transactions, without the written consent of each Lender;

(i) release all or substantially all of the value of the Guaranty, without the written consent of each Lender, except to the extent the release of any Subsidiary from the Guaranty is permitted pursuant to Section 9.10 (in which case such release may be made by the Administrative Agent acting alone);

(j) without the prior written consent of the Required Revolving Lenders, amend, modify or waive Section 6.02(b) ; or

(k) impose any greater restriction on the ability of any Lender under a Facility to assign any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the written consent of (i) if such Facility is the Term Facility, the Required Term Lenders and (ii) if such Facility is the Revolving Credit Facility, the Required Revolving Lenders;

and provided , further , that (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the Fee Letter may be amended, or rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed only by the parties thereto, (iii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the L/C Issuers in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the L/C Issuers under this Agreement or any Issuer Document relating to any Letter of Credit issued or to be issued by it and (iv) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Swing Line Lender in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Swing Line Lender under this Agreement.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder (and any amendment, waiver or consent which by its terms requires the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender may be effected with the consent of the applicable Lenders other than Defaulting Lenders), except that (x) the Commitment of any Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender and (y) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender that by its terms affects any Defaulting Lender disproportionately adversely relative to other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender.

 

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Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, this Agreement may be amended to extend the Maturity Date of (x) the Revolving Credit Commitments of Revolving Credit Lenders that agree to such extension with respect to their Revolving Credit Commitments with the written consent of each such approving Revolving Credit Lender, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (and no other Lender) and, in connection therewith, to provide for different rates of interest and fees under the Revolving Credit Facility with respect to the portion of the Revolving Credit Commitments with a Maturity Date so extended; and (y) the Term Facility with respect to Term Lenders that agree to such extension with respect to their Term Loans with the written consent of each such approving Term Lender, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (and no other Lender) and, in connection therewith and pursuant to a written offer from the Borrower to extend such Maturity Date may provide for different rates of interest and fees under the Term Facility with respect to the portion thereof the with a Maturity Date so extended and may provide for other covenants and terms that apply solely to any period after the latest stated maturity date (including, without limitation, the Maturity Date) existing on the effective date of such amendment; provided that in each such case, (x) no Lender shall be obligated to participate in any such extension and (y) any such proposed extension of the Maturity Date with respect to a Facility shall have been offered to each Lender with Loans or Commitments under the applicable Facility proposed to be extended, and if the consents of such Lenders exceed the portion of Commitments and Loans the Borrower wishes to extend, such consents shall be accepted on a pro rata basis among the applicable consenting Lenders. This paragraph shall apply to any Incremental Term Loans in the same manner as it applies to the Term Facility; provided that any such offer may, at the Borrower’s option, be made to the Lenders in respect of any tranche or tranches of Incremental Term Loans and/or the Term Facility without being made to any other tranche of Incremental Term Loans or the Term Facility, as the case may be. In connection with any extensions effected pursuant to this paragraph, the Loan Parties shall take any actions reasonably required by the Administrative Agent to ensure and/or demonstrate that the Lien and security interests granted by the Collateral Documents continue to be perfected under the UCC or otherwise after giving effect to such extension (including any actions requested in connection with any existing Mortgages or any title policies related thereto).

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 10.01 , (x) Collateral Documents (including any additional Collateral Documents executed pursuant to Section 6.12 after the Closing Date) and related documents executed by the Loan Parties in connection with this Agreement may be in a form reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent and may be amended, supplemented and waived with the consent of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower without the need to obtain the consent of any other Person if such amendment, supplement or waiver is delivered in order (i) to comply with local Law or advice of local counsel, (ii) to cure ambiguities, omissions, mistakes or defects or (iii) to cause such Collateral Document or other document to be consistent with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (y) if following the Closing Date, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall have jointly identified an ambiguity, inconsistency, obvious error or any error or omission of a technical or immaterial nature, in each case, in any provision of the Loan Documents, then the Administrative Agent and the Loan Parties shall be permitted to amend such provision and such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to any Loan Documents if the same is not objected to in writing by the Required Lenders within five (5) Business Days following receipt of notice thereof.

 

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10.02 Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communications . (a)  Notices Generally . Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in subsection (b) below), all 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 facsimile or electronic mail as follows, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as follows:

(i) if to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or KeyBank as an L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender (if applicable), to the address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 10.02 ; and

(ii) if to any other Lender, Swing Line Lender or L/C Issuer, to the address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified in its Administrative Questionnaire (including, as appropriate, notices delivered solely to the Person designated by a Lender on its Administrative Questionnaire then in effect for the delivery of notices that may contain material non-public information relating to the Borrower).

Notices and other communications sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices and other communications sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient). Notices and other communications delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in subsection (b) below shall be effective as provided in such subsection (b).

(b) Electronic Communications . Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the L/C Issuers hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or any L/C Issuer pursuant to Article II if such Lender or such L/C Issuer, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent, the Swing Line Lender, the L/C Issuers or the Borrower may each, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that, for both clauses (i)  and (ii) , if such notice, email or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice, email or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient.

 

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(c) The 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 BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS IN OR OMISSIONS FROM THE BORROWER MATERIALS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING 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 ANY AGENT PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE PLATFORM. In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the “ Agent Parties ”) have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender, any L/C Issuer or any other Person for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the Borrower’s, any Loan Party’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of Borrower Materials or notices through the Platform, any other electronic messaging service, or through the Internet.

(d) Change of Address, Etc . Each of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, each L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender may change its address, facsimile or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. Each other Lender may change its address, facsimile or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuers and the Swing Line Lender. In addition, each Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent from time to time to ensure that the Administrative Agent has on record (i) an effective address, contact name, telephone number, facsimile number and electronic mail address to which notices and other communications may be sent and (ii) accurate wire instructions for such Lender. Furthermore, each Public Lender agrees to cause at least one individual at or on behalf of such Public Lender to at all times have selected the “Private Side Information” or similar designation on the content declaration screen of the Platform in order to enable such Public Lender or its delegate, in accordance with such Public Lender’s compliance procedures and applicable Laws, including United States Federal and state securities Laws, to make reference to Borrower Materials that are not made available through the “Public Side Information” portion of the Platform and that may contain material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal or state securities laws.

(e) Reliance by Administrative Agent, L/C Issuers and Lenders . The Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuers and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices (including telephonic or electronic Committed Loan Notices, Letter of Credit Applications and Swing Line Loan Notices) purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each L/C Issuer, each Lender and the Related Parties of each of them from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower. All telephonic notices to and other telephonic communications with the Administrative Agent may be recorded by the Administrative Agent, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.

 

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10.03 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Enforcement . No failure by any Lender, any L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent to exercise, and no delay by any such Person in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided, and provided under each other Loan Document, are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.

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 8.02 for the benefit of all the Lenders and the L/C Issuers; 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 L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender from exercising the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (c) any Lender from exercising setoff rights in accordance with Section 10.08 (subject to the terms of Section 2.13 ), or (d) 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 Debtor Relief Law; and provided , further , that if at any time there is no Person acting as 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 8.02 and (ii) in addition to the matters set forth in clauses (b) , (c)  and (d)  of the preceding proviso and subject to Section 2.13 , 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.

10.04 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver . (a)  Costs and Expenses . The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent), in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any L/C Issuer in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any L/C Issuer (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any L/C Issuer in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights (A) in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or (B) in

 

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connection with Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.

(b) Indemnification by the Borrower . The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each Arranger, each Lender, each L/C Issuer and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “ Indemnitee ”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee) incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any Person (including the Borrower or any other Loan Party) other than such Indemnitee and its Related Parties arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or, in the case of the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof) and its Related Parties only, the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including in respect of any matters addressed in Section 3.01 ), (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by any L/C Issuer to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or Release of Hazardous Materials at, on, under or emanating from any property owned, leased or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by the Borrower or any other Loan Party, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee 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 by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee. Without limiting the provisions of Section 3.01(c) , this Section 10.04(b) shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc. arising from any non-Tax claim.

(c) Reimbursement by Lenders . To the extent that the Borrower for any reason fails to indefeasibly pay any amount required under subsection (a) or (b) of this Section to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), each L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender or any Related Party of any of the foregoing, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), such L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender or such Related Party, as the case may be, such Lender’s pro rata share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought based on each Lender’s share of the Total Credit Exposure at such time) of such unpaid amount (including any such unpaid amount in respect of a claim asserted by such Lender), such payment to be made severally among them based on such Lenders’ Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought), provided, further that, the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent (or any such

 

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sub-agent), such L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender in its capacity as such, or against any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), such L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender in connection with such capacity. The obligations of the Lenders under this subsection (c) are subject to the provisions of Section 2.12(d) .

(d) Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc . To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower shall not assert, and hereby waives, and acknowledges that no other Person shall have, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof. No Indemnitee referred to in subsection (b) above shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by others of any information or other materials distributed to such party 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.

(e) Payments . All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than ten Business Days after demand therefor.

(f) Survival . The agreements in this Section and the indemnity provision of Section 10.02(e) shall survive the resignation of the Administrative Agent, any L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender, the replacement of any Lender, the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Obligations.

10.05 Payments Set Aside . To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of the Borrower is made to the Administrative Agent, any L/C Issuer or any Lender, or the Administrative Agent, any L/C Issuer or any Lender exercises its right of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Administrative Agent, such L/C Issuer or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred, and (b) each Lender and each L/C Issuer severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent upon demand its applicable share (without duplication) of any amount so recovered from or repaid by the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect. The obligations of the Lenders and the L/C Issuers under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

10.06 Successors and Assigns . (a)  Successors and Assigns Generally . 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 the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of

 

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the Administrative Agent and each Lender and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.06(b) , (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.06(d) , or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of Section 10.06(e) (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in subsection (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuers and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

(b) Assignments by Lenders . Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment(s) and the Loans (including for purposes of this Section 10.06(b) , participations in L/C Obligations and in Swing Line Loans) at the time owing to it); provided that (in each case with respect to any Facility) any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:

(i) Minimum Amounts .

(A) in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment under any Facility and/or the Loans at the time owing to it (in each case with respect to any Facility) or contemporaneous assignments to related Approved Funds that equal at least the amount specified in paragraph (b)(i)(B) of this Section in the aggregate or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned; and

(B) in any case not described in subsection (b)(i)(A) of this Section, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the applicable Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment, determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if “Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date, shall not be less than $1,000,000 unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

(ii) Proportionate Amounts . Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loans or the Commitment assigned, except that this clause (ii) shall not apply to the Swing Line Lender’s rights and obligations in respect of Swing Line Loans or (B) prohibit any Lender from assigning all or a portion of its rights and obligations among the Revolving Credit Facility provided hereunder and any separate revolving credit or term loan facilities provided pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 10.01 on a non- pro rata basis;

 

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(iii) Required Consents . No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by subsection (b)(i)(B) of this Section and, in addition:

(A) the consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required unless (1) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment; (2) such assignment is, in the case of the Revolving Credit Facility, to a Revolving Credit Lender, an Affiliate of a Revolving Credit Lender or an Approved Fund of a Revolving Credit Lender, or, in the case of the Term Facility, to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, or (3) such assignment is made in connection with the primary syndication of the credit facility provided herein and during the ninety (90) day period following the Closing Date; provided that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within five (5) Business Days after having received notice thereof;

(B) the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for assignments in respect of (i) any unfunded Term Commitment or any Revolving Credit Commitment if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender with a Commitment in respect of the applicable Facility, an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Lender or (ii) any Term Loan to a Person that is not a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; and

(C) the consent of the L/C Issuers and the Swing Line Lender shall be required for any assignment in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility.

(iv) Assignment and Assumption . The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with 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. The assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.

(v) No Assignment to Certain Persons . No such assignment shall be made (A) to the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries, (B) to any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing Persons described in this clause (B) , or (C) to a natural Person.

(vi) Certain Additional Payments . In connection with any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder, no such assignment shall be effective unless and until, in addition to the other conditions thereto set forth herein, the parties to the assignment shall make such additional payments to the Administrative

 

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Agent in an aggregate amount sufficient, upon distribution thereof as appropriate (which may be outright payment, purchases by the assignee of participations or subparticipations, or other compensating actions, including funding, with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, the applicable pro rata share of Loans previously requested but not funded by the Defaulting Lender, to each of which the applicable assignee and assignor hereby irrevocably consent), to (x) pay and satisfy in full all payment liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent, any L/C Issuer or any Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon) and (y) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Loans and participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans in accordance with its Applicable Percentage. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder shall become effective under applicable Laws without compliance with the provisions of this paragraph, then the assignee of such interest shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes of this Agreement until such compliance occurs.

(vii) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01 , 3.04 , 3.05 and 10.04 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment; provided , that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no assignment by a Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender. Upon request, the Borrower (at its expense) shall execute and deliver a Note to the assignee Lender. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this subsection shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with subsection (d)  of this Section.

(c) Register . The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower (and such agency being solely for tax purposes), shall maintain at the Administrative Agent’s Office a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it (or the equivalent thereof in electronic form) and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts (and stated interest) of the Loans and L/C Obligations owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the 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. 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.

 

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(d) Participations . Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Swing Line Lender or any L/C Issuer, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural Person, a Defaulting Lender or the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a “ Participant ”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans (including such Lender’s participations in L/C Obligations and/or Swing Line Loans) owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuers shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, each Lender shall be responsible for the indemnity under Section 10.04(c) without regard to the existence of any participation.

Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification described in the first proviso to Section 10.01 that affects such Participant. The Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01 , 3.04 and 3.05 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to subsection (b)  of this Section (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 3.01(e) shall be delivered to the Lender who sells the participation) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Sections 3.06 and 10.13 as if it were an assignee under paragraph (b) of this Section and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 3.01 or 3.04 , with respect to any participation, than the Lender from whom it acquired the applicable participation would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation. Each Lender that sells a participation agrees, at the Borrower’s request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower to effectuate the provisions of Section 3.06 with respect to any Participant. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.08 as though it were a Lender; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.13 as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “ Participant Register ”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement

 

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notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

(e) Certain Pledges . Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower or Administrative Agent, at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including under its Note, if any) to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank or central bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

(f) Resignation as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender after Assignment . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if at any time any Person or any other Revolving Credit Lender assigns all of its Revolving Credit Commitment and Revolving Credit Loans pursuant to Section 10.06(b) , such Person or such other Lender, as the case may be, may, (i) upon 30 days’ notice to the Borrower and the Lenders, resign as an L/C Issuer and/or (ii) upon 30 days’ notice to the Borrower, resign as Swing Line Lender. In the event of any such resignation as an L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, the Borrower shall be entitled to appoint from among the Lenders a successor L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender hereunder; provided , however , that no failure by the Borrower to appoint any such successor shall affect the resignation of such Person or such other Lender as an L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be. If any Person or any other Revolving Credit Lender resigns as an L/C Issuer, it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of an L/C Issuer hereunder with respect to all applicable Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as an L/C Issuer and all applicable L/C Obligations with respect thereto (including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.03(c) ). If any Person resigns as Swing Line Lender, it shall retain all the rights of the Swing Line Lender provided for hereunder with respect to Swing Line Loans made by it and outstanding as of the effective date of such resignation, including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in outstanding Swing Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.04(c) . Upon the appointment of a successor L/C Issuer and/or Swing Line Lender, (a) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be, and (b) the successor L/C Issuer shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the applicable Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to such Person to effectively assume the obligations of such Person or such other Revolving Credit Lender, as the case may be, with respect to such Letters of Credit.

10.07 Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality . Each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuers agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates and to its Related Parties (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent required or requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over such Person or its Related Parties (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by

 

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applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party hereto, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement or any Eligible Assignee invited to be a Lender pursuant to Section 2.14 or (ii) any actual or prospective party (or its Related Parties) to any swap, derivative or other transaction under which payments are to be made by reference to the Borrower and its obligations, this Agreement or payments hereunder, (g) on a confidential basis to (i) any rating agency in connection with rating the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or the credit facilities provided hereunder or (ii) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of CUSIP numbers of other market identifiers with respect to the credit facilities provided hereunder, (h) with the consent of the Borrower or (i) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, any L/C Issuer or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower.

For purposes of this Section, “ Information ” means all information received from the Borrower or any Subsidiary relating to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any L/C Issuer on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower or any Subsidiary, provided that, in the case of information received from the Borrower or any Subsidiary after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

Each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuers acknowledge that (a) the Information may include material non-public information concerning the Borrower or a Subsidiary, as the case may be, (b) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and (c) it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with applicable Laws, including United States Federal and state securities Laws.

10.08 Right of Setoff . If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, each L/C Issuer and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, after obtaining the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender, such L/C Issuer or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender or such L/C Issuer, irrespective of whether or not such Lender or such L/C Issuer shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of the Borrower may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office or Affiliate of such Lender or such L/C Issuer different from the branch, office

 

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or Affiliate holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness; provided, that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.15 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. The rights of each Lender, each L/C Issuer and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, such L/C Issuer or their respective Affiliates may have. Each Lender and each L/C Issuer agrees to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

10.09 Interest Rate Limitation . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Laws (the “ Maximum Rate ”). If the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to the Borrower. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by the Administrative Agent or a Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable Laws, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.

10.10 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement, and the other Loan Documents and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent or any L/C Issuer, constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 4.01 , this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic imaging means (e.g. “pdf” or “tif”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

10.11 Survival of Representations and Warranties . All representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan Document or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof. Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by the Administrative Agent and each Lender, regardless of any investigation made by the Administrative Agent or any Lender or on their behalf and notwithstanding that the

 

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Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default at the time of any Credit Extension, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any Loan or any other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding.

10.12 Severability . If any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 10.12 , if and to the extent that the enforceability of any provisions in this Agreement relating to Defaulting Lenders shall be limited by Debtor Relief Laws, as determined in good faith by the Administrative Agent, any L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, as applicable, then such provisions shall be deemed to be in effect only to the extent not so limited.

10.13 Replacement of Lenders . If the Borrower is entitled to replace a Lender pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.06 , or if any Lender is a Defaulting Lender or a Non-Consenting Lender, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 10.06 ), all of its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Sections 3.01 and 3.04 ) and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that:

(a) the Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee (if any) specified in Section 10.06(b) ;

(b) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and L/C Advances, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 3.05 ) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts, including any amount payable under Section 2.05(c) );

(c) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 3.04 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 3.01 , such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter;

(d) such assignment does not conflict with applicable Laws; and

(e) in the case of an assignment resulting from a Lender becoming a Non-Consenting Lender, the applicable assignee shall have consented to the applicable amendment, waiver or consent.

 

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A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

10.14 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.

(a) GOVERNING LAW . THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT (EXCEPT, AS TO ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH THEREIN) AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

(b) SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION . THE BORROWER IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT COMMENCE ANY ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING OF ANY KIND OR DESCRIPTION, WHETHER IN LAW OR EQUITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR IN TORT OR OTHERWISE, AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER, ANY L/C ISSUER OR ANY RELATED PARTY OF THE FOREGOING IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATING HERETO OR THERETO, IN ANY FORUM OTHER THAN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS AND AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION, LITIGATION 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 OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT ANY AGENT, ANY LENDER OR ANY L/C ISSUER MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST THE BORROWER OR ANY OTHER LOAN PARTY OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

(c) WAIVER OF VENUE . THE BORROWER IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (b) OF THIS SECTION. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.

 

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(d) SERVICE OF PROCESS . EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 10.02 . NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW

10.15 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON 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 AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

10.16 No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility . In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), the Borrower acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Affiliates’ understanding, that: (i) (A) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and the Lenders are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Borrower and its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and the Lenders, on the other hand, (B) the Borrower has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (C) the Borrower is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (ii) (A) the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and the Lenders each is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Borrower or any of its Affiliates, or any other Person and (B) neither the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers nor any Lender or L/C Issuer has any obligation to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (iii) the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers the Lenders, and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower and its Affiliates, and neither the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers nor any Lender or L/C Issuer has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Borrower or its Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Borrower hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and the Lenders with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby.

 

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10.17 Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents . The words “execution,” “execute”, “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in or related to any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including without limitation Assignment and Assumptions, amendments or other Committed Loan Notices, waivers and consents) shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, the electronic matching of assignment terms and contract formations on electronic platforms approved by the Administrative Agent, or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided that notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender or L/C Issuer is under any obligation to agree to accept electronic signatures in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Administrative Agent or such Lender or such L/C Issuer, as applicable, pursuant to procedures approved by it; and provided further, without limiting the foregoing, upon the request of any party, any electronic signature shall be promptly followed by such manually executed counterpart.

10.18 USA PATRIOT Act . Each Lender that is subject to the PATRIOT Act and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the PATRIOT Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Loan Party, which information includes the name and address of each Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify each Loan Party in accordance with the PATRIOT Act. The Borrower shall, promptly following a request by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, provide all documentation and other information that the Administrative Agent or such Lender requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the PATRIOT Act.

10.19 Inconsistencies with Other Documents . In the event there is a conflict or inconsistency between this Agreement and any other Loan Document, the terms of this Agreement shall control; provided that any provision of the Security Documents which imposes additional burdens on the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or further restricts the rights of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or gives the Administrative Agent or Lenders additional rights shall not be deemed to be in conflict or inconsistent with this Agreement and shall be given full force and effect.

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

NN, INC. , a Delaware corporation
By:  

/s/ J. Robert Atkinson

Name:   J. Robert Atkinson
Title:   Treasurer


KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION , as
Administrative Agent and as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Jef Fowler

Name:   Jef Fowler
Title:   Managing Director


SUNTRUST BANK , as a Lender
By:  

/s/ David M. Felty

Name:   David M. Felty
Title:   Managing Director


REGIONS BANK , as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Stuart A. Hall

Name:   Stuart A. Hall
Title:   Senior Vice President


SIEMENS FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. , as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Maria Levy

Name:   Maria Levy
Title:   Vice President
By:  

/s/ Melissa J. Brown

Name:   Melissa J. Brown
Title:   Sr. Transaction Coordinator

Exhibit 10.4

 

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

Dated as of October 19, 2015

Among

NN, INC.,

the Guarantors party hereto

and

SUNTRUST ROBINSON HUMPHREY, INC.,

as Representative of the Initial Purchasers

10.25% Senior Notes due 2020

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  
1.    Definitions      1   
2.    Exchange Offer      4   
3.    Shelf Registration      8   
4.    Additional Interest      9   
5.    Registration Procedures      10   
6.    Registration Expenses      17   
7.    Indemnification and Contribution      18   
8.    Rules 144 and 144A      21   
9.    Underwritten Registrations      22   
10.    Miscellaneous      22   

 

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REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

This Registration Rights Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is dated as of October 19, 2015, among NN, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), the guarantors listed on the signature pages hereto (collectively, the “ NN Guarantors ”) and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., as representative (the “ Representative ”) of the several initial purchasers named on Schedule A to the Purchase Agreement (as defined below) (collectively, the “ Initial Purchasers ”).

Upon consummation of the Acquisition (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), Precision Engineered Products Holdings, Inc. and each of its subsidiaries that join the Purchase Agreement pursuant to the Purchase Agreement Joinder (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) (collectively, the “ PEP Guarantors ”) shall enter into a joinder agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “ Registration Rights Joinder ”) under which each of the PEP Guarantors shall become party to this Agreement. Prior to the execution and delivery of the Registration Rights Joinder, the term “ Guarantors ” shall mean the NN Guarantors, and upon due execution and delivery of the Registration Rights Joinder, the NN Guarantors and the PEP Guarantors are herein collectively referred to as the “ Guarantors . ” Prior to the execution and delivery of the Registration Rights Joinder, the term “ Guarantees ” shall mean the guarantees of the Notes by the NN Guarantors, and upon due execution and delivery of the Registration Rights Joinder, the guarantees of the Notes by the NN Guarantors and the PEP Guarantors are herein collectively referred to as the “ Guarantees .

This Agreement is entered into in connection with the Purchase Agreement by and among the Company, the NN Guarantors and the Representative, dated as of October 16, 2015 (the “ Purchase Agreement ”), which provides for, among other things, the sale by the Company to the Initial Purchasers of $300,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 10.25% Senior Notes due 2020 (the “ Notes ”). The Notes are issued under an indenture, dated as of October 19, 2015 (as amended or supplemented from time to time, the “ Indenture ”), between the Company, the NN Guarantors and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (as defined below). Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and the Indenture, each Guarantor is required to unconditionally guarantee, on a senior unsecured basis, the Company’s obligations under the Notes and the Indenture. The Notes and the Guarantees are collectively referred to as the “ Securities ”. In order to induce the Representative to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide the registration rights set forth in this Agreement for the benefit of the Initial Purchasers and, except as otherwise set forth herein, any subsequent Holder (as defined below) or Holders of the Securities. The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the Initial Purchasers’ obligation to purchase the Securities under the Purchase Agreement.

The parties hereby agree as follows:

 

  1. Definitions

As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Additional Interest : See Section 4(a) hereof.

Advice : See the last paragraph of Section 5 hereof.

Agreement : See the introductory paragraphs hereto.

Applicable Period : See Section 2(b) hereof.


Application : See Section 7(a) hereof.

Business Day : See the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 14d-1 under the Exchange Act.

Company : See the introductory paragraphs hereto.

Effectiveness Date : With respect to (i) the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, the 300th day after the Issue Date and (ii) any Shelf Registration Statement, the later of (x) the 300th day after the Issue Date and (y) the 90th day following the date such Shelf Registration Statement was filed; provided, however, that if the Effectiveness Date would otherwise fall on a day that is not a Business Day, then the Effectiveness Date shall be the next succeeding Business Day.

Effectiveness Period : See Section 3(a) hereof.

Exchange Act : The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

Exchange Notes : See Section 2(a) hereof.

Exchange Offer : See Section 2(a) hereof.

Exchange Offer Registration Statement : See Section 2(a) hereof.

Exchange Securities : See Section 2(a) hereof.

FINRA : Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

Guarantees : See the introductory paragraphs hereto.

Guarantors : See the introductory paragraphs hereto.

Holder : Any holder of a Registrable Security or Registrable Securities.

Indenture : See the introductory paragraphs hereto.

Information : See Section 5(o) hereof.

Information Deadline: See Section 3(d) hereof.

Initial Purchasers : See the introductory paragraphs hereto.

Initial Shelf Registration : See Section 3(a) hereof.

Inspectors : See Section 5(o) hereof.

Issue Date : October 19, 2015, the date of original issuance of the Securities.

NN Guarantors : See the introductory paragraphs hereto.

Notes : See the introductory paragraphs hereto.

 

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Participant : See Section 7(a) hereof.

Participating Broker-Dealer : See Section 2(b) hereof.

PEP Guarantor : See the introductory paragraphs hereto.

Person : An individual, trustee, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, union, business association, firm or other legal entity.

Private Exchange : See Section 2(b) hereof.

Private Exchange Securities : See Section 2(b) hereof.

Prospectus : The prospectus included in any Registration Statement (including, without limitation, any prospectus subject to completion and a prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A or 430C under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, and all other amendments and supplements to the Prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.

Purchase Agreement : See the introductory paragraphs hereof.

Records : See Section 5(o) hereof.

Registrable Securities : Each Security upon its original issuance and at all times subsequent thereto, each Exchange Security as to which Section 2(c)(iv) hereof is applicable upon original issuance and at all times subsequent thereto, each Private Exchange Note upon original issuance thereof and at all times subsequent thereto, and, in each case, the related Guarantees, until, in each case, the earliest to occur of (i) a Registration Statement (other than, with respect to any Exchange Securities as to which Section 2(c)(iv) hereof is applicable, the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) covering such Security, Exchange Security or Private Exchange Note (and the related Guarantees) has been declared effective by the SEC and such Security, Exchange Note or Private Exchange Security (and the related Guarantees), as the case may be, has been disposed of in accordance with such effective Registration Statement, (ii) such Security has been exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer for an Exchange Security or Exchange Securities that may be resold without restriction under state and federal securities laws, (iii) such Security, Exchange Security or Private Exchange Note (and the related Guarantees), as the case may be, ceases to be outstanding for purposes of the Indenture or any indenture (if different) governing the Exchange Securities and Private Exchange Securities, as applicable, or (iv) the later of (x) the date which is two years after the date the Securities were originally issued and (y) the date upon which such Security, Exchange Security or Private Exchange Note has been resold in compliance with Rule 144, provided that such Security, Exchange Security or Private Exchange Note, as the case may be, does not bear any restrictive legend relating to the Securities Act and does not bear a restricted CUSIP number.

Registration Rights Joinder : See the introductory paragraphs hereto.

Registration Statement : Any registration statement of the Company that covers any of the Securities, the Exchange Securities or the Private Exchange Securities filed with the SEC under the Securities Act, including the Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such registration statement.

 

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Regulatory Requirements : See the last paragraph of this Section 1.

Representative : See the first introductory paragraph hereto.

Rule 144 : Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

Rule 144A : Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

Rule 405 : Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

Rule 415 : Rule 415 under the Securities Act.

Rule 424 : Rule 424 under the Securities Act.

SEC : The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities : See the introductory paragraphs hereto.

Securities Act : The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

Shelf Notice : See Section 2(c) hereof.

Shelf Registration : The Initial Shelf Registration and any Subsequent Shelf Registration.

Shelf Registration Statement : Any Registration Statement relating to a Shelf Registration.

Shelf Suspension Period : See Section 3(a) hereof.

Subsequent Shelf Registration : See Section 3(b) hereof.

TIA : The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

Trustee : The trustee under the Indenture and the trustee (if any) under any indenture governing the Exchange Securities and Private Exchange Securities (and the related Guarantees).

Underwritten Offering or Underwritten Registration : A registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to the public.

Except as otherwise specifically provided, all references in this Agreement to acts, laws, statutes, rules, regulations, releases, forms, no-action letters and other regulatory requirements (collectively, “ Regulatory Requirements ”) shall be deemed to refer also to any amendments thereto and all subsequent Regulatory Requirements adopted as a replacement thereto having substantially the same effect therewith; provided that Rule 144 shall not be deemed to amend or replace Rule 144A.

 

  2. Exchange Offer

(a) Unless the Exchange Offer would violate applicable law or any applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC, each of the Company and the Guarantors shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC a Registration Statement (the “ Exchange Offer Registration Statement ”) on an appropriate registration form with respect to a registered offer (the “ Exchange Offer ”) to

 

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exchange any and all of the Registrable Securities for a like aggregate principal amount of debt securities of the Company (the “ Exchange Notes ”), guaranteed, to the extent applicable, on a senior unsecured basis by the Guarantors (the “ New Guarantees ” and, together with the Exchange Notes, the “ Exchange Securities ”), that are identical in all material respects to the Notes, except that (i) the Exchange Notes shall contain no restrictive legend thereon and (ii) interest thereon shall accrue from the last date on which interest was paid on the Notes or if no such interest has been paid, from the Issue Date, and which are entitled to the benefits of the Indenture or a trust indenture which is identical in all material respects to the Indenture (other than such changes to the Indenture or any such identical trust indenture as are necessary to comply with the TIA) and which, in either case, conforms to the requirements necessary for qualification under the TIA. The Exchange Offer shall comply with all applicable tender offer rules and regulations under the Exchange Act and other applicable laws. Each of the Company and the Guarantors shall (x) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act on or before the Effectiveness Date; (y) keep the Exchange Offer open for at least 30 days (or longer if required by applicable law) after the date that notice of the Exchange Offer is mailed to Holders; and (z) consummate the Exchange Offer on or prior to the 330th day following the Issue Date.

Each Holder (including, without limitation, each Participating Broker-Dealer), as a condition to participate in the Exchange Offer, will be required to represent to the Company in writing (which may be contained in the applicable letter of transmittal) that: (i) any Exchange Securities acquired in exchange for Registrable Securities tendered are being acquired in the ordinary course of business of the Person receiving such Exchange Securities, whether or not such recipient is such Holder itself; (ii) at the time of the commencement or consummation of the Exchange Offer neither such Holder nor, to the actual knowledge of such Holder, any other Person receiving Exchange Securities from such Holder has an arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in the “distribution” (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the Exchange Securities in violation of the provisions of the Securities Act; (iii) neither the Holder nor, to the actual knowledge of such Holder, any other Person receiving Exchange Securities from such Holder is an “affiliate” (as defined in Rule 405) of the Company or, if it is an affiliate of the Company, it will comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act to the extent applicable and will provide information to be included in the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with Section 5 hereof in order to have their Notes included in the Shelf Registration Statement and benefit from the provisions regarding Additional Interest in Section 4 hereof; (iv) neither such Holder nor, to the actual knowledge of such Holder, any other Person receiving Exchange Securities from such Holder is engaging in or intends to engage in a distribution of the Exchange Securities; (v) if such Holder is not a Participating Broker-Dealer, that it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, the distribution of the Securities; (vi) if such Holder is a Participating Broker-Dealer, such Holder has acquired the Registrable Securities as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and that it will comply with the applicable provisions of the Securities Act (including, but not limited to, the prospectus delivery requirements thereunder) in connection with any resale of the Exchange Securities; and (vii) such Holder is not acting on behalf of any Person who could not truthfully make the foregoing representations.

Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer in accordance with this Section 2, the provisions of this Agreement shall continue to apply, mutatis mutandis , solely with respect to Registrable Securities that are Private Exchange Securities, Exchange Securities as to which Section 2(c)(iv) hereof is applicable and Exchange Securities held by Participating Broker-Dealers, and the Company shall have no further obligation to register Registrable Securities (other than Private Exchange Securities and Exchange Securities as to which Section 2(c)(iv) hereof applies) pursuant to Section 3 hereof.

No securities other than the Exchange Securities shall be included in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement.

 

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(b) The Company shall include within the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement a section entitled “Plan of Distribution,” reasonably acceptable to the Initial Purchasers, which shall contain a summary statement of the positions taken or policies made by the staff of the SEC with respect to the potential “underwriter” status of any broker-dealer that is the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of Exchange Securities received by such broker-dealer in the Exchange Offer (a “ Participating Broker-Dealer ”), whether such positions or policies have been publicly disseminated by the staff of the SEC or such positions or policies represent the prevailing views of the staff of the SEC. Such “Plan of Distribution” section shall also expressly permit, to the extent permitted by applicable policies and regulations of the SEC, the use of the Prospectus by all Persons subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, including, to the extent permitted by applicable policies and regulations of the SEC, all Participating Broker-Dealers, and include a statement describing the means by which Participating Broker-Dealers may resell the Exchange Securities in compliance with the Securities Act.

The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement effective and to amend and supplement the Prospectus contained therein in order to permit such Prospectus to be lawfully delivered by all Persons subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act for such period of time as is necessary to comply with applicable law in connection with any resale of the Exchange Securities; provided , however , that such period shall not be required to exceed 90 days or such longer period if extended pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 5 hereof (the “ Applicable Period ”).

If, upon consummation of the Exchange Offer, the Initial Purchasers hold any Securities acquired by them that have the status of an unsold allotment in the initial distribution, the Company, upon the request of the Initial Purchasers, shall simultaneously with the delivery of the Exchange Securities issue and deliver to the Initial Purchasers, in exchange (the “ Private Exchange ”) for such Notes held by any such Holder, a like principal amount of notes (the “ Private Exchange Securities ”) of the Company, unconditionally guaranteed by the Guarantors on a senior unsecured basis, that are identical in all material respects to the Exchange Securities except for the existence of restrictions on transfer thereof under the Securities Act and securities laws of the several states of the United States. The Private Exchange Securities shall be issued pursuant to the same indenture as the Exchange Securities and bear the same CUSIP number as the Exchange Securities if permitted by the CUSIP Service Bureau.

In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Company shall:

(1) mail, or cause to be mailed, to each Holder of record entitled to participate in the Exchange Offer a copy of the Prospectus forming part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, together with an appropriate letter of transmittal and related documents;

(2) use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Exchange Offer open for not less than 30 days after the date that notice of the Exchange Offer is mailed to Holders (or longer if required by applicable law);

(3) utilize the services of a depositary for the Exchange Offer with an address in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York;

(4) permit Holders to withdraw tendered Securities at any time prior to the close of business, New York time, on the last Business Day on which the Exchange Offer remains open; and

 

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(5) otherwise comply in all material respects with all applicable laws, rules and regulations.

As soon as practicable after the close of the Exchange Offer and the Private Exchange, if any, the Company shall:

(1) accept for exchange all Registrable Securities validly tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer and the Private Exchange, if any;

(2) deliver to the Trustee for cancellation all Registrable Securities so accepted for exchange; and

(3) cause the Trustee to authenticate and deliver promptly to each Holder of Registrable Securities, Exchange Securities or Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be, equal in principal amount to the Notes of such Holder so accepted for exchange; provided that, in the case of any Notes held in global form by a depositary, authentication and delivery to such depositary of one or more replacement Notes in global form in an equivalent principal amount thereto for the account of such Holders in accordance with the Indenture shall satisfy such authentication and delivery requirement.

The Exchange Offer and the Private Exchange shall not be subject to any conditions, other than that (i) the Exchange Offer or Private Exchange, as the case may be, does not violate applicable law or any applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC; (ii) no action or proceeding shall have been instituted or threatened in any court or by any governmental agency which might materially impair the ability of the Company to proceed with the Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange, and no material adverse development shall have occurred in any existing action or proceeding with respect to the Company; and (iii) all governmental approvals shall have been obtained, which approvals the Company deems necessary for the consummation of the Exchange Offer or Private Exchange.

The Exchange Notes and the Private Exchange Notes (and related guarantees) shall be issued under (i) the Indenture or (ii) an indenture identical in all material respects to the Indenture and which, in either case, conforms to the requirements necessary for qualification under the TIA or is exempt from such qualification and shall provide that the Exchange Securities shall not be subject to the transfer restrictions set forth in the Indenture. The Indenture or such indenture shall provide that the Exchange Notes, the Private Exchange Notes and the Notes shall vote and consent together on all matters as one class and that none of the Exchange Notes, the Private Exchange Notes or the Notes will have the right to vote or consent as a separate class on any matter.

(c) If, (i) because of any change in law or in currently prevailing interpretations of the staff of the SEC, the Company is not permitted to effect the Exchange Offer, (ii) the Exchange Offer is not consummated within 330 days of the Issue Date, (iii) any Holder of Private Exchange Securities so requests in writing to the Company at any time after the consummation of the Exchange Offer, or (iv) in the case of any Holder that participates in the Exchange Offer, such Holder does not receive Exchange Securities on the date of the exchange that may be sold without restriction under state and federal securities laws (other than due solely to the status of such Holder as an affiliate of the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act) and so notifies the Company within 30 days after such Holder first becomes aware of such restrictions, in the case of each of clauses (i) to and including (iv) of this sentence, then the Company shall promptly deliver to the Holders and the Trustee written notice thereof (the “ Shelf Notice ”) and shall file a Shelf Registration pursuant to Section 3 hereof.

 

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  3. Shelf Registration

If at any time a Shelf Notice is delivered as contemplated by Section 2(c) hereof, then:

(a) Shelf Registration . The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC a Registration Statement for an offering to be made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 covering all of the Registrable Securities (the “ Initial Shelf Registration ”). The Initial Shelf Registration shall be on Form S-1 or another appropriate form permitting registration of such Registrable Securities for resale by Holders in the manner or manners designated by them (including, without limitation, one or more Underwritten Offerings). The Company shall not permit any securities other than the Registrable Securities to be included in the Initial Shelf Registration or any Subsequent Shelf Registration.

The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Shelf Registration to be declared effective under the Securities Act on or prior to the Effectiveness Date and to keep the Initial Shelf Registration continuously effective under the Securities Act until the earliest of (i) the date that is two years from the Issue Date, (ii) such shorter period ending when all Registrable Securities covered by the Initial Shelf Registration have been sold in the manner set forth and as contemplated in the Initial Shelf Registration or, if applicable, a Subsequent Shelf Registration or (iii) the date upon which all Registrable Securities have been sold (the “ Effectiveness Period ”); provided , however , that the Effectiveness Period in respect of the Initial Shelf Registration shall be extended to the extent required to permit dealers to comply with the applicable prospectus delivery requirements of Rule 174 under the Securities Act and as otherwise provided herein. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, at any time, the Company may delay the filing of any Initial Shelf Registration Statement or delay or suspend the effectiveness thereof, for a reasonable period of time, but not in excess of an aggregate of 60 days in any calendar year (each, a “ Shelf Suspension Period ”), if the Board of Directors of the Company determines reasonably and in good faith that (a) the filing of any such Initial Shelf Registration Statement or the continuing effectiveness thereof would require the disclosure of material non-public information that, in the reasonable judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company, would be detrimental to the Company if so disclosed or would otherwise materially adversely affect a financing, acquisition, disposition, merger or other material transaction or (b) such action is required by applicable law. If, following any such sixty (60) day period, Holders desire to exercise the registration right pursuant to Section 3.1(a), Holders shall resubmit a written request for registration to the Company pursuant to Section 3.1(a).

(b) Withdrawal of Stop Orders; Subsequent Shelf Registrations . If the Initial Shelf Registration or any Subsequent Shelf Registration ceases to be effective for any reason at any time during the Effectiveness Period (other than because of the sale of all of the Securities registered thereunder), the Company shall, subject to the last sentence of Section (3)(a) above, use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the prompt withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness thereof, and in any event shall within 30 days of such cessation of effectiveness amend such Shelf Registration Statement in a manner to obtain the withdrawal of the order suspending the effectiveness thereof, or file an additional Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 415 covering all of the Registrable Securities covered by and not sold under the Initial Shelf Registration or an earlier Subsequent Shelf Registration (each, a “ Subsequent Shelf Registration ”). If a Subsequent Shelf Registration is filed, the Company shall, subject to the last sentence of Section (3)(a) above, use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Subsequent Shelf Registration to be declared effective under the Securities Act as soon as practicable after such filing and to keep such Subsequent Shelf Registration continuously effective for a period equal to the number of days in the Effectiveness Period less the aggregate number of days during which

 

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the Initial Shelf Registration or any Subsequent Shelf Registration was previously effective. As used herein the term “ Shelf Registration Statement ” means the Initial Shelf Registration and any Subsequent Shelf Registration.

(c) Supplements and Amendments . The Company shall promptly supplement and amend any Shelf Registration if required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used for such Shelf Registration, if required by the Securities Act, or if reasonably requested by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities (or their counsel) covered by such Registration Statement with respect to the information included therein with respect to one or more of such Holders, or by any underwriter of such Registrable Securities with respect to the information included therein with respect to such underwriter.

(d) Provision of Information . Not less than 25 days prior to the filing of any Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to this Agreement with the SEC, the Company shall make written request of the Holders of Registrable Securities to provide such information as the Company and the Trustee may request relating to Holders that would be required by the SEC to have such Holder’s Registrable Securities be included in such Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus included therein. No Holder of Registrable Securities shall be entitled to include any of its Registrable Securities in any Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to this Agreement unless such Holder furnishes to the Company and the Trustee in writing, within 20 days (the “ Information Deadline ”) after receipt of a written request therefor, such information as the Company and the Trustee may request relating to Holders that would be required by the SEC to have such Holder’s Entitled Securities be included in such Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus included therein, and no such Holder shall be entitled to benefit from the provisions regarding Additional Interest pursuant to Section 4 hereof during the period from the Information Deadline to the date on which such Holder has provided such required information.

 

  4. Additional Interest

(a) The Company and the Initial Purchasers agree that the Holders will suffer damages if the Company fails to fulfill its obligations under Section 2 or Section 3 hereof and that it would not be feasible to ascertain the extent of such damages with precision. Accordingly, the Company agrees to pay, as liquidated damages, additional cash interest on the Notes (“ Additional Interest ”) under the circumstances and to the extent set forth below (each of which shall be given independent effect):

(i) if (A) neither the Exchange Offer Registration Statement nor the Initial Shelf Registration is declared effective by the SEC on or prior to the Effectiveness Date applicable thereto or (B) notwithstanding that the Company has consummated or will consummate the Exchange Offer, the Company is required to file a Shelf Registration and such Shelf Registration is not declared effective by the SEC on or prior to the Effectiveness Date applicable to such Shelf Registration, then, commencing on the day after such Effectiveness Date, Additional Interest shall accrue on the principal amount of the Notes at a rate of 0.25% per annum of the principal amount of such Notes for the first 90 days immediately following the day after such Effectiveness Date, and such Additional Interest rate shall increase by an additional 0.25% per annum of the principal amount of such Notes at the beginning of each subsequent 90-day period; or

(ii) if (A) the Company has not exchanged Exchange Notes for all Notes validly tendered in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer on or prior to the 330th day after the Issue Date or (B) if applicable, a Shelf Registration has been declared effective and such Shelf Registration ceases to be effective at any time during the Effectiveness Period, then Additional

 

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Interest shall accrue on the principal amount of the Notes at a rate of 0.25% per annum of the principal amount of such Notes for the first 90 days commencing on (x) the day after such required exchange, in the case of (A) above, or (y) the day such Shelf Registration ceases to be effective in the case of (B) above, and such Additional Interest rate shall increase by an additional 0.25% per annum of the principal amount of such Notes at the beginning of each such subsequent 90-day period;

provided , however , that the Additional Interest rate on the Notes may not accrue under more than one of the foregoing clauses (i) - (ii) at any one time and at no time shall the aggregate amount of Additional Interest accruing exceed in the aggregate 1.0% per annum of the principal amount of such Notes; provided , further , however , that (1) upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the applicable Shelf Registration Statement as required hereunder (in the case of clause (i) of this Section 4), or (2) upon the exchange of the Exchange Notes for all Notes tendered (in the case of clause (ii)(A) of this Section 4), or upon the effectiveness of the applicable Shelf Registration Statement which had ceased to remain effective (in the case of (ii)(B) of this Section 4), Additional Interest on the Notes in respect of which such events relate as a result of such clause (or the relevant subclause thereof), as the case may be, shall cease to accrue. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 4, the Company shall not be obligated to pay Additional Interest provided in Sections 4(a)(i)(B) or 4(a)(ii)(B) during a Shelf Suspension Period permitted by Section 3(a) hereof.

(b) The Company shall notify the Trustee within three (3) Business Days after each and every date on which an event occurs in respect of which Additional Interest is required to be paid. Any amounts of Additional Interest due pursuant to (a)(i) or (a)(ii) of this Section 4 will be payable in cash semiannually on each May 1 and November 1 (to the Holders of record on the April 15 and October 15 immediately preceding such dates), commencing with the first such semi-annual date occurring after any such Additional Interest commences to accrue. The amount of Additional Interest will be determined by multiplying the applicable Additional Interest rate by the principal amount of the Registrable Securities, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days such Additional Interest rate was applicable during such period (determined on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months and, in the case of a partial month, the actual number of days elapsed), and the denominator of which is 360.

 

  5. Registration Procedures

In connection with the filing of any Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2 or 3 hereof, the Company shall effect such registration to permit the sale of the securities covered thereby in accordance with the intended method or methods of disposition thereof, and pursuant thereto and in connection with any Registration Statement filed by the Company hereunder, the Company shall:

(a) Prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement or Registration Statements as prescribed by Sections 2 or 3 hereof, and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause each such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective as provided herein; provided , however , that if (1) such filing is pursuant to Section 3 hereof or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Securities during the Applicable Period relating thereto from whom the Company has received prior written notice that it will be a Participating Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer, before filing any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto, the Company shall furnish to and afford the Holders of the Registrable Securities to be registered pursuant to such Registration Statement (with respect to a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof) or each such Participating Broker-Dealer (with respect to any such

 

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Registration Statement), as the case may be, their counsel and the managing underwriters, if any, a reasonable opportunity to review copies of all such documents (including copies of any documents to be incorporated by reference therein and all exhibits thereto) proposed to be filed (in each case at least five Business Days prior to such filing). The Company shall not file any such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto in respect of which the Holders must provide information for the inclusion therein without the Holders being afforded an opportunity to review such documentation if the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement, their counsel, or the managing underwriters, if any, shall reasonably object on a timely basis.

(b) Prepare and file with the SEC such pre-effective amendments and post-effective amendments to each Shelf Registration Statement or Exchange Offer Registration Statement, as the case may be, as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective for the Effectiveness Period, the Applicable Period or until consummation of the Exchange Offer, as the case may be; cause the related Prospectus to be supplemented by any Prospectus supplement required by applicable law, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act applicable to it with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement as so amended or in such Prospectus as so supplemented and with respect to the subsequent resale of any securities being sold by any Participating Broker-Dealer covered by any such Prospectus. The Company shall be deemed not to have used its commercially reasonable efforts to keep a Registration Statement effective if the Company voluntarily takes any action that is reasonably expected to result in selling Holders of the Registrable Securities covered thereby or Participating Broker-Dealers seeking to sell Exchange Notes not being able to sell such Registrable Securities or such Exchange Securities during that period unless such action is required by applicable law, rule or regulation or permitted by this Agreement.

(c) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Securities during the Applicable Period relating thereto from whom the Company has received written notice that it will be a Participating Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer, notify the selling Holders of Registrable Securities (with respect to a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof), or each such Participating Broker-Dealer (with respect to any such Registration Statement), as the case may be, their counsel (if such information is received by the Company in writing prior to notice being given by the Company) and the managing underwriters, if any, promptly (but in any event within three Business Days), and confirm such notice in writing, (i) 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 under the Securities Act (including in such notice a written statement that any Holder may, upon request, obtain, without charge, one conformed copy of such Registration Statement or post-effective amendment including financial statements and schedules, documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference and exhibits), (ii) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, (iii) if at any time when a Prospectus is required by the Securities Act to be delivered in connection with sales of the Registrable Securities or resales of Exchange Securities by Participating Broker-Dealers the representations and warranties of the Company contained in any agreement (including any underwriting agreement) contemplated by Section 5(n) hereof cease to be true and correct, (iv) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of a Registration

 

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Statement or any of the Registrable Securities or the Exchange Securities to be sold by any Participating Broker-Dealer for offer or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, (v) of the happening of any event, the existence of any condition or any information becoming known that makes any statement made in such Registration Statement or related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes in or amendments or supplements to such Registration Statement, Prospectus or documents so that, in the case of the Registration Statement, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and that in the case of the Prospectus, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and (vi) of the Company’s reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement would be appropriate.

(d) Use its commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of a Prospectus or suspending the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities or the Exchange Securities to be sold by any Participating Broker-Dealer, for sale in any jurisdiction, and, if any such order is issued, to use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any such order at the earliest practicable moment.

(e) If a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 and if requested during the Effectiveness Period by the managing underwriter or underwriters (if any), the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities being sold in connection with an Underwritten Offering or any Participating Broker-Dealer, (i) as promptly as practicable incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as the managing underwriter or underwriters (if any), such Holders, any Participating Broker-Dealer or counsel for any of them reasonably request in writing to be included therein, (ii) make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or such post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after the Company has received notification of the matters to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment, and (iii) supplement or make amendments to such Registration Statement, if required by the Securities Act.

(f) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Securities during the Applicable Period, furnish to each selling Holder of Registrable Securities (with respect to a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof) and to each such Participating Broker-Dealer who so requests (with respect to any such Registration Statement) and to their respective counsel and each managing underwriter, if any, at the sole expense of the Company, one conformed copy of the Registration Statement or Registration Statements and each post-effective amendment thereto, including financial statements and schedules, and, if requested, all documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference and all exhibits.

(g) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Securities during the Applicable Period, deliver to each selling Holder of Registrable Securities (with respect to a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof), or

 

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each such Participating Broker-Dealer (with respect to any such Registration Statement), as the case may be, their respective counsel, and the underwriters, if any, at the sole expense of the Company, as many copies of the Prospectus or Prospectuses (including each form of preliminary prospectus) and each amendment or supplement thereto and any documents incorporated by reference therein as such Persons may reasonably request; and, subject to the last paragraph of this Section 5, the Company hereby consents to the use of such Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders of Registrable Securities or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, and the underwriters or agents, if any, and dealers, if any, in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by, or the sale by Participating Broker-Dealers of the Exchange Securities pursuant to, such Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto.

(h) Prior to any public offering of Registrable Securities or any delivery of a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Securities during the Applicable Period, use its commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify, and to cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Securities or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, and their respective counsel in connection with the registration or qualification (or exemption from such 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 selling Holder, Participating Broker-Dealer, or the managing underwriter or underwriters reasonably request in writing; provided , however , that where Exchange Securities held by Participating Broker-Dealers or Registrable Securities are offered other than through an Underwritten Offering, the Company agrees to cause their counsel to perform Blue Sky investigations and file registrations and qualifications required to be filed pursuant to this Section 5(h), keep each such registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the period such Registration Statement is required to be kept effective and do any and all other acts or things reasonably necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Exchange Securities held by Participating Broker-Dealers or the Registrable Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to (A) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified, (B) take any action that would subject it to general service of process in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject or (C) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject.

(i) If a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof, cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Securities and the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be sold, which certificates shall not bear any restrictive legends and shall be in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company; and enable such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations (subject to applicable requirements contained in the Indenture) and registered in such names as the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, or Holders may request.

(j) Use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other U.S. governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof or the underwriter or underwriters, if any, to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities, except as may be required solely as a consequence of the nature of such selling Holder’s business, in which case the Company will cooperate in all reasonable respects with the filing of such Registration Statement and the granting of such approvals; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to (A) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified, (B) take any action that would subject it to general service of process in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject or (C) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject.

 

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(k) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Securities during the Applicable Period, upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section 5(c)(v) or 5(c)(vi) hereof, as promptly as practicable prepare and (subject to Section 5(a) hereof) file with the SEC, at the sole expense of the Company, a supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or a supplement to the related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be 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 (with respect to a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof) or to the purchasers of the Exchange Securities to whom such Prospectus will be delivered by a Participating Broker-Dealer (with respect to any such Registration Statement), any such Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(l) Use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement or the Exchange Securities, as the case may be, to be rated with such appropriate rating agencies, if so requested in writing by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement or the Exchange Securities, as the case may be, or the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any.

(m) Prior to the effective date of the first Registration Statement relating to the Registrable Securities, (i) provide the Trustee with certificates for the Registrable Securities in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company and (ii) provide a CUSIP number for the Registrable Securities.

(n) In connection with any Underwritten Offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration, enter into an underwriting agreement in form, substance and scope as is customary in Underwritten Offerings of debt securities similar to the Securities, and take all such other actions as are reasonably requested in writing by the managing underwriter or underwriters in order to expedite or facilitate the registration or the disposition of such Registrable Securities and, in such connection, (i) make such representations and warranties to, and covenants with, the underwriters with respect to the business of the Company (including any acquired business, properties or entity, if applicable) as then conducted, and the Registration Statement, Prospectus and documents, if any, incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein, in each case, in form, substance and scope as are customarily made by the Company to underwriters in Underwritten Offerings of debt securities similar to the Securities, and confirm the same in writing if and when reasonably required; (ii) obtain the written opinions of counsel to the Company, and written updates thereof in form, scope and substance reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriter or underwriters, addressed to the underwriters covering the matters customarily covered in opinions reasonably requested in Underwritten Offerings; (iii) obtain “cold comfort” letters and updates thereof in form, scope and substance reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriter or underwriters from the independent certified public accountants of the Company (and, if necessary, any other independent certified public accountants of the Company, or of any business acquired by the Company, for which financial statements and financial data are, or are required to be, included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement), addressed to each of the underwriters, such letters to be in customary form and covering matters of the type customarily

 

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covered in “cold comfort” letters in connection with Underwritten Offerings of debt securities similar to the Securities; and (iv) if an underwriting agreement is entered into, the same shall contain indemnification provisions and procedures no less favorable to the sellers and underwriters, if any, than those set forth in Section 7 hereof (or such other less favorable provisions and procedures as are reasonably acceptable to Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement and the managing underwriter or underwriters or agents, if any). The above shall be done at each closing under such underwriting agreement, or as and to the extent required thereunder.

(o) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Securities during the Applicable Period, make available for inspection by any Initial Purchaser, any selling Holder of such Registrable Securities being sold (with respect to a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof), or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, any underwriter participating in any such disposition of Registrable Securities, if any, and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such selling Holder or each such Participating Broker-Dealer (with respect to any such Registration Statement), as the case may be, or underwriter (any such Initial Purchasers, Holders, Participating Broker-Dealers, underwriters, attorneys, accountants or agents, collectively, the “ Inspectors ”), upon written request, at the offices where normally kept, during reasonable business hours, all pertinent financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and instruments of the Company and subsidiaries of the Company (collectively, the “ Records ”), as shall be reasonably necessary to enable them to exercise any applicable due diligence responsibilities, and cause the officers, directors and employees of the Company and any of its subsidiaries to supply all information (“ Information ”) reasonably requested in writing by any such Inspector in connection with such due diligence responsibilities. Each Inspector shall agree in writing that it will keep the Records and Information confidential and that it will not disclose any of the Records or Information that the Company determines, in good faith, to be confidential and notifies the Inspectors in writing are confidential unless (i) the disclosure of such Records or Information is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in such Registration Statement or Prospectus, (ii) the release of such Records or Information is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other order from a court of competent jurisdiction, (iii) disclosure of such Records or Information is necessary or advisable, in the opinion of counsel for any Inspector, in connection with any action, claim, suit or proceeding, directly or indirectly, involving or potentially involving such Inspector and arising out of, based upon, relating to, or involving this Agreement or the Purchase Agreement, or any transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or arising hereunder or thereunder, or (iv) the information in such Records or Information has been made generally available to the public other than by an Inspector or an “affiliate” (as defined in Rule 405) thereof; provided , however , that prior notice shall be provided as soon as practicable to the Company of the potential disclosure of any information by such Inspector pursuant to clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of this Section 5(o) to permit the Company to obtain a protective order (or waive the provisions of this Section 5(o)) and that such Inspector shall take such actions as are reasonably necessary to protect the confidentiality of such information (if practicable) to the extent such action is otherwise not inconsistent with, an impairment of or in derogation of the rights and interests of the Holder or any Inspector. Each selling Holder of such Registrable Securities and each such Participating Broker-Dealer will be required to agree, in writing, that information obtained by it as a result of such inspections shall be deemed confidential and shall not be used by it as the basis for any market transactions in the securities of the Company unless and until such is made generally available to the public. Each Inspector, each selling Holder of such Entitled Securities and each such Participating Broker-Dealer will be required to further agree that it will, upon learning of the potential disclosure of such records, give notice to the Company

 

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and, to the extent practicable, use its commercially reasonable efforts to allow the Company, at its expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of the Records deemed confidential at its expense.

(p) Provide an indenture trustee for the Registrable Securities or the Exchange Securities, as the case may be, and, unless exempt from qualification, cause the Indenture or the trust indenture provided for in Section 2(a) hereof, as the case may be, to be qualified under the TIA not later than the effective date of the first Registration Statement relating to the Registrable Securities; and in connection therewith, cooperate with the trustee under any such indenture and the Holders of the Registrable Securities, to effect such changes (if any) to such indenture as may be required for such indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the TIA; and execute, and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such trustee to execute, all documents as may be required to effect such changes, and all other forms and documents required to be filed with the SEC to enable such indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner.

(q) Comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and make generally available to its securityholders with regard to any applicable Registration Statement, a consolidated earnings statement satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any similar rule promulgated under the Securities Act) no later than 45 days after the end of any fiscal quarter (or 90 days after the end of any 12-month period if such period is a fiscal year) (i) commencing at the end of any fiscal quarter in which Registrable Securities are sold to underwriters in a firm commitment or best efforts Underwritten Offering and (ii) if not sold to underwriters in such an offering, commencing on the first day of the first fiscal quarter of the Company, after the effective date of a Registration Statement, which statements shall cover said 12-month periods.

(r) Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange, obtain an opinion of counsel to the Company, in a form customary for underwritten transactions, addressed to the Trustee for the benefit of all Holders of Registrable Securities participating in the Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange, as the case may be, that the Exchange Securities or Private Exchange Securities (and the related Guarantees), as the case may be, and the related indenture each constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions and qualifications. If the Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange is to be consummated, upon delivery of the Registrable Securities by Holders to the Company (or to such other Person as directed by the Company), in exchange for the Exchange Securities or the Private Exchange Securities (and the related Guarantees), as the case may be, the Company shall mark, or cause to be marked, on such Registrable Securities that such Registrable Securities are being cancelled in exchange for the Exchange Securities or the Private Exchange Securities (and the related Guarantees), as the case may be; in no event shall such Registrable Securities be marked as paid or otherwise satisfied.

(s) Cooperate with each seller of Registrable Securities covered by any Registration Statement and each underwriter, if any, participating in the disposition of such Registrable Securities and their respective counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with FINRA.

(t) Use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to take all other steps reasonably necessary to effect the registration of the Exchange Securities and/or Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement contemplated hereby.

 

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The Company may require each seller of Registrable Securities or Participating Broker-Dealer as to which any registration is being effected to furnish to the Company such information regarding such seller or Participating Broker-Dealer and the distribution of such Registrable Securities as the Company may, from time to time, reasonably request. The Company may exclude from such registration the Registrable Securities of any seller so long as such seller fails to furnish such information within a reasonable time after receiving such request (which time in no event shall exceed 30 days, subject to Section 3(d) hereof). Each seller as to which any Shelf Registration is being effected agrees to furnish promptly to the Company all information required to be disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished to the Company by such seller not materially misleading.

If any such Registration Statement refers to any Holder by name or otherwise as the holder of any securities of the Company, then such Holder shall have the right to require (i) the insertion therein of language, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such Holder, to the effect that the holding by such Holder of such securities is not to be construed as a recommendation by such Holder of the investment quality of the securities covered thereby and that such holding does not imply that such Holder will assist in meeting any future financial requirements of the Company, or (ii) in the event that such reference to such Holder by name or otherwise is not required by the Securities Act or any similar federal statute then in force, the deletion of the reference to such Holder in any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement filed or prepared subsequent to the time that such reference ceases to be required. Any exercise of the foregoing right by the Holder shall be in writing.

Each Holder of Registrable Securities and each Participating Broker-Dealer agrees by its acquisition of such Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities to be sold by such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, that, upon actual receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 5(c)(ii), 5(c)(iv), 5(c)(v), or 5(c)(vi) hereof, such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement or Prospectus or Exchange Securities to be sold by such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, until such Holder’s or Participating Broker-Dealer’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 5(k) hereof, or until it is advised in writing (such written advice from the Company, the “ Advice ”) that the use of the applicable Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any amendments or supplements thereto. In the event that the Company shall give any such notice, each of the Applicable Period and the Effectiveness Period shall be extended by the number of days during such periods from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and including the date when each seller of Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement or Exchange Securities to be sold by such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, shall have received (x) the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 5(k) hereof or (y) the Advice.

 

  6. Registration Expenses

All fees and expenses incident to the performance of or compliance with this Agreement by the Company shall be borne by the Company, whether or not the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or any Shelf Registration Statement is filed or becomes effective or the Exchange Offer is consummated, including, without limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees (including, without limitation, (A) fees with respect to filings required to be made with FINRA in connection with an Underwritten Offering and (B) fees and expenses of compliance with state securities or Blue Sky laws (including, without limitation, reasonable, pre-approved fees and disbursements of counsel (not to exceed $10,000 in the aggregate) in connection with Blue Sky qualifications of the Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities and determination of the eligibility of the Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities for investment under the laws of such jurisdictions (x) where the holders of Registrable Securities are located, in the case of the Exchange Securities, or (y) as provided in Section 5(h) hereof, in the case of Registrable Securities

 

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or Exchange Securities to be sold by a Participating Broker-Dealer during the Applicable Period)), (ii) printing expenses, including, without limitation, expenses of printing prospectuses if the printing of prospectuses is requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities included in any Registration Statement or in respect of Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities to be sold by any Participating Broker-Dealer during the Applicable Period, as the case may be, (iii) fees and expenses of the Trustee, any exchange agent and their respective counsel, (iv) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and, in the case of a Shelf Registration, reasonable fees and disbursements of one special counsel for all of the sellers of Registrable Securities selected by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf Registration (exclusive any counsel retained pursuant to Section 7 hereof), (v) fees and disbursements of all independent certified public accountants referred to in Section 5(n)(iii) hereof (including, without limitation, the expenses of any “cold comfort” letters required by or incident to such performance), (vi) rating agency fees, if any, associated with making the Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities eligible for trading through the Depository Trust Company, (vii) Securities Act liability insurance, if the Company desires such insurance, (viii) fees and expenses of all other Persons retained by the Company, (ix) internal expenses of the Company (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of officers and employees of the Company performing legal or accounting duties), (x) the expense of any annual audit of the Company, (xi) any fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the securities to be registered on any securities exchange, and the obtaining of a rating of the securities, in each case, if applicable, (xii) the expenses relating to printing, word processing and distributing all Registration Statements, underwriting agreements, indentures and any other documents necessary in order to comply with this Agreement and (xiii) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses relating to the offering incurred in connection with the performance of the Company’s obligations hereunder (collectively, the “ Registration Expenses ”). The Company shall, promptly after receipt of a request therefor, reimburse the Holders in full for the full amount of any Registration Expenses actually incurred, assumed or paid by the Holders (to extent any Holders incur, assume or pay any Registration Expenses), to the extent evidence is provided therefor.

Other than as specifically provided for in the immediately preceding paragraph, the holders of the Registrable Securities being registered shall pay all agency fees and commissions and underwriting discounts and commissions attributable to the sale of such Registrable Securities and the fees and disbursements of any counsel (exclusive any counsel retained pursuant to Section 7 hereof) or other advisors or experts retained by such holders (severally or jointly).

 

  7. Indemnification and Contribution .

(a) The Company and the Guarantors jointly and severally agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Holder of Registrable Securities, each Participating Broker-Dealer selling Exchange Securities during the Applicable Period, the directors, officers, employees, Affiliates and agents of each such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer and each Person, if any, who controls any such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer or its affiliates within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (each, a “ Participant ”) against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which any Participant may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as any such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon:

(i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact made by the Company contained in any application or any other document or any amendment or supplement thereto executed by the Company based upon written information furnished by or on behalf of the Company filed in any jurisdiction in order to qualify the Notes under the securities or “Blue Sky” laws thereof or filed with the SEC or any securities association or securities exchange (each, an “ Application ”);

 

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(ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the Company shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) or any preliminary prospectus; or

(iii) the omission or alleged omission to state, in any Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the Company shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) or any preliminary prospectus or any Application or any other document or any amendment or supplement thereto, a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;

and will reimburse, as incurred, the Participant for any legal or other expenses incurred by the Participant in connection with investigating, defending against or appearing as a third-party witness in connection with any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided , however , the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage, or liability arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in any Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the Company shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) or any preliminary prospectus or Application or any amendment or supplement thereto in reliance upon and in conformity with written information relating to any Participant furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such Participant specifically for use therein. The indemnity provided for in this Section 7 will be in addition to any liability that the Company may otherwise have to the indemnified parties. The Company and the Guarantors shall not be liable under this Section 7 for any settlement of any claim or action effected without their prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.

(b) Each Participant, severally and not jointly, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Guarantors, their respective directors, their respective officers and each person, if any, who controls the Company or its affiliates within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company, the Guarantors or any such director, officer or controlling person may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or Application, any amendment or supplement thereto, or any preliminary prospectus, or (ii) the omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information concerning such Participant, furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such Participant, specifically for use therein; and subject to the limitation set forth immediately preceding this clause, will reimburse, as incurred, any reasonable legal or other expenses incurred by the Company, the Guarantors or any such director, officer or controlling person in connection with investigating or defending against or appearing as a third party witness in connection with any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action in respect thereof. The indemnity provided for in this Section 7 will be in addition to any liability that the Participants may otherwise have to the indemnified parties. The Participants shall not be liable under this Section 7 for any settlement of any claim or action effected without their consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Company and the Guarantors shall not, without the prior written consent of such Participant, effect any settlement or compromise of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which such Participant is or could have been a party, or indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such Participant, unless such settlement (A) includes an

 

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unconditional written release of such Participant, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such Participant, from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (B) does not include any statement as to an admission of fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of such Participant.

(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 7 of notice of the commencement of any action for which such indemnified party is entitled to indemnification under this Section 7, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Section 7, notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof in writing; but the omission to so notify the indemnifying party (i) will not relieve it from any liability under paragraph (a) or (b) above unless and to the extent such failure results in the forfeiture by the indemnifying party of substantial rights and defenses and (ii) will not, in any event, relieve the indemnifying party from any obligations to any indemnified party other than the indemnification obligation provided in paragraphs (a) and (b) above. In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party, and it notifies the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it may wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party; provided , however , that if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the indemnifying party to represent the indemnified party would present such counsel with a conflict of interest, (ii) the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have been advised by counsel that there may be one or more legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties that are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, or (iii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after receipt by the indemnifying party of notice of the institution of such action, then, in each such case, the indemnifying party shall not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties and such indemnified party or parties shall have the right to select separate counsel to defend such action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties. After notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof and approval by such indemnified party of counsel appointed to defend such action, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 7 for any legal or other expenses, other than reasonable costs of investigation, subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof, unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel in accordance with the proviso to the immediately preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that in connection with such action the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one separate counsel (in addition to local counsel) in any one action or separate but substantially similar actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, designated by Participants who sold a majority in interest of the Registrable Securities and Exchange Securities sold by all such Participants in the case of paragraph (a) of this Section 7 or the Company in the case of paragraph (b) of this Section 7, representing the indemnified parties under such paragraph (a) or paragraph (b), as the case may be, who are parties to such action or actions) or (ii) the indemnifying party has authorized in writing the employment of counsel for the indemnified party at the expense of the indemnifying party. All fees and expenses reimbursed pursuant to this paragraph (c) shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. After such notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party, the indemnifying party will not be liable for the costs and expenses of any settlement of such action effected by such indemnified party without the prior written consent of the indemnifying party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), unless such indemnified party waived in writing its rights under this Section 7, in which case the indemnified party may effect such a settlement without such consent.

(d) In circumstances in which the indemnity agreement provided for in the preceding paragraphs of this Section 7 is unavailable to, or insufficient to hold harmless, an indemnified party in

 

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respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), each indemnifying party, in order to provide for just and equitable contribution, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and the indemnified party on the other from the offering of the Securities or (ii) if the allocation provided by the foregoing clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and the indemnified party on the other in connection with the statements or omissions or alleged statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof). The relative benefits received by the Company and the Guarantors on the one hand and such Participant on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) of the Securities received by the Company bear to the total net profit received by such Participant in connection with the sale of the Securities. The relative fault of the parties shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company on the one hand, or the Participants on the other, the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission or alleged statement or omission, and any other equitable considerations appropriate in the circumstances. The parties agree that it would not be equitable if the amount of such contribution were determined by pro rata or per capita allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to in the first sentence of this paragraph (d). Notwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph (d), no Participant shall be obligated to make contributions hereunder that in the aggregate exceed the total net profit received by such Participant in connection with the sale of the Securities, less the aggregate amount of any damages that such Participant has otherwise been required to pay by reason of the untrue or alleged untrue statements or the omissions or alleged omissions to state a material fact, and no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this paragraph (d), each person, if any, who controls a Participant within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Participants, and each director of the Company and the Guarantors, each officer of the Company and the Guarantors and each person, if any, who controls the Company and the Guarantors within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company.

 

  8. Rules 144A

(a) Facilitation of Sales Pursuant to Rule 144A . The Company covenants and agrees that it will use its commercially reasonable efforts to file the reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations adopted by the SEC thereunder in a timely manner in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and, if at any time the Company is not required to file such reports, the Company will, upon the written request of any Holder or beneficial owner of Registrable Securities, make available such information necessary to permit sales pursuant to Rule 144A. The Company further covenants and agrees, for so long as any Registrable Securities remain outstanding that it will take such further action as any Holder of Registrable Securities may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144A unless the Company is then subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and reports filed thereunder satisfy the information requirements of Rule 144A then in effect. Upon the request of any Holder, the Company shall deliver to such Holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such information and requirements. The Company will be deemed to have satisfied the foregoing requirements if the Company files such reports required by the Indenture within the applicable time periods set forth therein.

 

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(b) Availability of Rule 144A Not Excuse of Obligations Under Section 2 of This Agreement . The fact that Holders of Registrable Securities may become eligible to sell such Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 144 shall not (1) cause such Securities to cease to be Registrable Securities or (2) excuse the Company’s obligations set forth in Section 2 of this Agreement, including without limitation the obligations in respect of an Exchange Offer, Shelf Registration and Additional Interest.

 

  9. Underwritten Registrations

If any of the Registrable Securities covered by any Shelf Registration are to be sold in an Underwritten Offering, the investment banker or investment bankers and manager or managers that will manage the offering will be selected by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such Registrable Securities included in such offering; provided, however, that such investment banker or investment bankers and manager or managers must be reasonably acceptable to the Company.

No Holder of Registrable Securities may participate in any Underwritten Registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder’s Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.

 

  10. Miscellaneous

(a) Remedies . The Company hereby agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Agreement and hereby agrees to waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.

(b) No Inconsistent Agreements . The Company has not as of the date hereof, and the Company shall not after the date of this Agreement, enter into any agreement with respect to any of its securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. The rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the Company’s other issued and outstanding securities under any such agreements. The Company will not enter into any agreement (other than this Agreement in respect of the Notes) with respect to any of its securities which will grant to any Person piggy-back registration rights with respect to any Registration Statement.

(c) Adjustments Affecting Registrable Securities . The Company shall not, directly or indirectly, take any action with respect to the Registrable Securities as a class that would adversely affect the ability of the Holders of Registrable Securities to include such Registrable Securities in a registration undertaken pursuant to this Agreement.

(d) Amendments and Waivers . The provisions of this Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given, otherwise than with the prior written consent of (I) the Company, and (II) (A) in circumstances that would adversely affect the Holders, the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Registrable Securities and (B) in circumstances that would adversely affect the Participating Broker-Dealers, the Participating Broker-Dealers holding not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Exchange Notes held by all Participating Broker-Dealers;

 

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provided , however , that Section 7 hereof and this Section 10(d) may not be amended, modified or supplemented without the prior written consent of each Holder and each Participating Broker-Dealer (including any person who was a Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer of Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities, as the case may be, disposed of pursuant to any Registration Statement) affected by any such amendment, modification or supplement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart from the provisions hereof with respect to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders of Registrable Securities whose securities are being sold pursuant to a Registration Statement and that does not directly or indirectly affect, impair, limit or compromise the rights of Holders of Registrable Securities not being sold pursuant to such Registration Statement may be given by Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities being sold pursuant to such Registration Statement.

(e) Notices . All notices and other communications (including, without limitation, any notices or other communications to the Trustee hereunder) provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered first-class mail, next-day air courier or facsimile:

(i) if to a Holder of the Registrable Securities or any Participating Broker-Dealer, at the most current address of such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, set forth on the records of the registrar under the Indenture, with a copy in like manner to the Initial Purchasers as follows:

SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc.

3333 Peachtree Road, 10th Floor

Atlanta, Georgia 30326

Telephone: (800) 685-4786

Email: STRHdocs@SunTrust.com

with a copy to:

Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP

80 Pine Street

New York, New York 10005

Facsimile No.: (212) 269-5420

Attention: James J. Clark, Esq.

 

  (ii) if to the Initial Purchasers, at the address specified in Section 10(e)(i);

 

  (iii) if to the Company, at the address as follows:

NN, Inc.

207 Mockingbird Lane

Johnson City, TN 37604

Facsimile No.: (423) 743-2670

Attention: James H. Dorton, Senior Vice President - Chief Financial Officer

 

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with a copy to:

NN, Inc.

207 Mockingbird Lane

Johnson City, TN 37604

Facsimile No.: (423) 434-8389

Attention: Matthew S. Heiter, Senior Vice President and General Counsel

and

Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC

First Tennessee Building

165 Madison Avenue, Suite 2000

Memphis, TN 38103

Facsimile No.: (901) 577-4234

Attention: Richard F. Mattern

All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: when delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; one Business Day after being timely delivered to a next-day air courier; and upon written confirmation, if sent by facsimile.

Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at the address and in the manner specified in such Indenture.

(f) Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties hereto, the Holders and the Participating Broker-Dealers; provided , however , that nothing herein shall be deemed to permit any assignment, transfer or other disposition of Registrable Securities in violation of the terms of the Purchase Agreement or the Indenture.

(g) Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

(h) Headings . The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

(i) Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial . THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, SECTION 5-1401 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW. EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.

(j) 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 commercially reasonable efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result

 

-24-


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.

(k) Securities Held by the Company or Its Affiliates . 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 affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) shall not be counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage.

(l) Third-Party Beneficiaries . Holders of Registrable Securities and Participating Broker-Dealers are intended third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement, and this Agreement may be enforced by such Persons.

(m) Entire Agreement . This Agreement, together with the Purchase Agreement and the Indenture, is intended by the parties as a final and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and therein and any and all prior oral or written agreements, representations, or warranties, contracts, understandings, correspondence, conversations and memoranda between the Holders on the one hand and the Company on the other, or between or among any agents, representatives, parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors in interest or successors in interest with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof are merged herein and replaced hereby.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

-25-


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

NN, INC.
By:  

/s/ Richard D. Holder

  Name: Richard D. Holder
  Title: Chief Executive Officer and President
INDUSTRIAL MOLDING CORPORATION, as a Guarantor
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
WHIRLAWAY CORPORATION, as a Guarantor
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
PNC ACQUISITION COMPANY, INC., as a Guarantor
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
PMC ACQUISITION COMPANY, INC., as a Guarantor
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement


PMC USA ACQUISITION COMPANY, INC., as a Guarantor
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
THE DELTA RUBBER COMPANY, as a Guarantor
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
CAPROCK MANUFACTURING, INC., as a Guarantor
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
CAPROCK ENCLOSURES, LLC, as a Guarantor
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
NN PRECISION PLASTICS, INC., as a Guarantor
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement


AUTOCAM CORPORATION, as a Guarantor
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
AUTOCAM-PAX, INC., as a Guarantor
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement


The foregoing Agreement is hereby confirmed and

accepted as of the date

first above written.

 

SUNTRUST ROBINSON HUMPHREY, INC.
By:  

/s/ William Challas

  Name: William Challas
  Title: Managing Director

For itself and as Representative

of the several Initial Purchasers.

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT

October 19, 2015

SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc.

as Representative of the Initial Purchasers

3333 Peachtree Street, 10th Floor

Atlanta, GA 30308

Reference is made to that registration rights agreement (the “ Registration Rights Agreement ”) dated as of October 19, 2015 among NN, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), the NN Guarantors, and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., as the Representative, relating to the issuance and sale to the Initial Purchasers of $300,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 10.25% Senior Notes due 2020 (the “ Notes ”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Registration Rights Agreement.

The Registration Rights Agreement contemplates that substantially concurrently with the consummation of the Acquisition, Precision Engineered Products Holdings, Inc. and each of its subsidiaries that guarantee the Notes will becomes parties to the Registration Rights Agreement by executing this Registration Rights Joinder.

1. Joinder . Each of the undersigned hereby acknowledges that it has received and reviewed a copy of the Registration Rights Agreement and all other documents it requires to enter into this Joinder Agreement (the “ Registration Rights Joinder ”), and acknowledges and agrees to (i) join and become a party to the Registration Rights Agreement as indicated by its signature below; (ii) be bound by all covenants, agreements, representations, warranties and acknowledgements attributable to a Guarantor in the Registration Rights Agreement as if made by, and with respect to, each Guarantor signatory hereto; and (iii) perform all obligations and duties required of a Guarantor pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

2. Counterparts . This Registration Rights Joinder may be signed in one or more counterparts (which may be delivered in original form or facsimile or “pdf” file thereof), each of which shall constitute an original when so executed and all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

3. Amendments . No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Registration Rights Joinder, nor any consent or approval to any departure therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the parties thereto.

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

5. APPLICABLE LAW . THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS JOINDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAW RULES THEREOF.

 

A-1


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has cause this Registration Rights Joinder to be duly executed and delivered, by its proper and duly authorized officer as of the date set forth above.

 

[PEP Guarantors]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

A-2

Exhibit 10.5

JOINDER AGREEMENT

October 19, 2015

SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc.

as Representative of the Initial Purchasers

3333 Peachtree Street, 10th Floor

Atlanta, GA 30308

Reference is made to that registration rights agreement (the “ Registration Rights Agreement ”) dated as of October 19, 2015 among NN, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), the NN Guarantors, and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., as the Representative, relating to the issuance and sale to the Initial Purchasers of $300,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 10.25% Senior Notes due 2020 (the “ Notes ”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Registration Rights Agreement.

The Registration Rights Agreement contemplates that substantially concurrently with the consummation of the Acquisition, Precision Engineered Products Holdings, Inc. and each of its subsidiaries that guarantee the Notes will becomes parties to the Registration Rights Agreement by executing this Registration Rights Joinder.

1. Joinder . Each of the undersigned hereby acknowledges that it has received and reviewed a copy of the Registration Rights Agreement and all other documents it requires to enter into this Joinder Agreement (the “ Registration Rights Joinder ”), and acknowledges and agrees to (i) join and become a party to the Registration Rights Agreement as indicated by its signature below; (ii) be bound by all covenants, agreements, representations, warranties and acknowledgements attributable to a Guarantor in the Registration Rights Agreement as if made by, and with respect to, each Guarantor signatory hereto; and (iii) perform all obligations and duties required of a Guarantor pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

2. Counterparts . This Registration Rights Joinder may be signed in one or more counterparts (which may be delivered in original form or facsimile or “pdf” file thereof), each of which shall constitute an original when so executed and all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

3. Amendments . No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Registration Rights Joinder, nor any consent or approval to any departure therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the parties thereto.

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

5. APPLICABLE LAW . THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS JOINDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAW RULES THEREOF.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has cause this Registration Rights Joinder to be duly executed and delivered, by its proper and duly authorized officer as of the date set forth above.

 

PRECISION ENGINEERED PRODUCTS HOLDINGS, INC.
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
PRECISION ENGINEERED PRODUCTS LLC
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
BRAININ-ADVANCE INDUSTRIES LLC
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
POLYMETALLURGICAL LLC
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
BOSTON ENDO-SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President

[Signature Page to Joinder to the Registration Rights Agreement]


LACEY MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
CONNECTICUT PLASTICS LLC
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
WAUCONDA TOOL & ENGINEERING LLC
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
ADVANCED PRECISION PRODUCTS, INC.
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
HOWESTEMCO, LLC
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
PREMCO, INC.
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President

[Signature Page to Joinder to the Registration Rights Agreement]


PROFILES INCORPORATED
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
HOLMED, LLC
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
GENERAL METAL FINISHING LLC
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
MATRIX I, LLC
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President
TRIGON INTERNATIONAL LLC
By:  

/s/ James H. Dorton

  Name: James H. Dorton
  Title: Vice President

[Signature Page to Joinder to the Registration Rights Agreement]

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

 

LOGO

 

  

RE: NN, Inc.

207 Mockingbird Lane

3 rd Floor

Johnson City, TN 37604

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:   

AT THE COMPANY

Robbie Atkinson

Corporate Treasurer & Investor Relations

(423) 434-8398

  

AT FINANCIAL RELATIONS BOARD

Marilynn Meek

(General info)

212-827-3773

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 20, 2015

NN, INC. COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF PRECISION ENGINEERED PRODUCTS

Johnson City, Tenn, October 20, 2015 – NN, Inc., (NASDAQ: NNBR) a diversified industrial company, today announced that the Company has successfully completed its acquisition of Precision Engineered Products Holdings, Inc. (PEP), a global manufacturer of highly engineered precision customized solutions serving the medical, electrical, transportation and aerospace end markets.

Richard Holder, President and CEO commented, “The acquisition of PEP, the largest in NN’s 35 year history, is a transformational milestone that expands our market segment reach, broadens our portfolio of products, services, and solutions, as well as expands margins and strengthens our global geographic footprint.”

“PEP adds proven capabilities in medical, electrical, transportation and aerospace to NN’s strengths in light auto, CAFE technologies, general industrial, commercial transportation and fluid power,” Holder said. “These complementary technologies further accelerate NN’s growth as a diversified industrial focused on delivering a complete portfolio of world class products and solutions to our customers and being a consistent earner through the economic cycle.”

NN, Inc., a diversified industrial company, manufactures and supplies high precision metal bearing components, industrial plastic and rubber products and precision metal components to a variety of markets on a global basis. Headquartered in Johnson City, Tennessee, NN has 43 manufacturing plants in North America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, South America and China.

Except for specific historical information, many of the matters discussed in this press release may express or imply projections of revenues or expenditures, statements of plans and objectives or future operations or statements of future economic performance. These, and similar statements, are forward-looking statements concerning matters that involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual performance of NN, Inc. and its subsidiaries to differ materially from those expressed or implied by this discussion. All forward-looking information is provided by the Company pursuant to the safe harbor established under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and should be evaluated in the context of these factors. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking


terminology such as “assumptions”, “target”, “guidance”, “outlook”, “plans”, “projection”, “may”, “will”, “would”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “potential” or “continue” (or the negative or other derivatives of each of these terms) or similar terminology. Factors which could materially affect actual results include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions and economic conditions in the industrial sector, inventory levels, regulatory compliance costs and the Company’s ability to manage these costs, start-up costs for new operations, debt reduction, competitive influences, risks that current customers will commence or increase captive production, risks of capacity underutilization, quality issues, availability and price of raw materials, currency and other risks associated with international trade, the Company’s dependence on certain major customers, and the successful implementation of the global growth plan including development of new products. Similarly, statements made herein and elsewhere regarding pending or completed acquisitions are also forward-looking statements, including statements relating to the anticipated closing date of an acquisition, the Company’s ability to obtain required regulatory approvals or satisfy closing conditions, the costs of an acquisition and the Company’s source(s) of financing, the future performance and prospects of an acquired business, the expected benefits of an acquisition on the Company’s future business and operations and the ability of the Company to successfully integrate recently acquired businesses.

For additional information concerning such risk factors and cautionary statements, please see the section titled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 and the risk factors included in Exhibit 99.1 to NN’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 22, 2015. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements we make in our press releases, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.